England Women stun Canada to reach Hong Kong final


By RFU Press Office Simon Mills
March 24 2012

England’s Women booked their place in the final of the IRB Women’s Challenge Cup in Hong Kong with a landmark 22-12 win against Canada.

England Women stun Canada to reach Hong Kong final
 
Try scorer Rachael Burford
Try scorer Rachael Burford

 

They face World Cup Sevens winners Australia – who overwhelmed the USA 33-0 in the other semi – after avenging a defeat at the hands of Canada in last year’s Dubai final.

England were short on power that day but the return of forward Heather Fisher from a serious back injury and a handful of players from the 15-a-side Grand Slam team swung the game in England’s favour against a side with a full-time sevens programme.

Wasps wing Michaela Staniford’s two first half tries edged England 10-5 up and they added two outstanding scores in the second half.

Centre Rachael Burford (Richmond) picked a great line to cut back inside and score straight after the break and Staniford’s back-handed offload created the best of the lot for Richmond fly half Alice Richardson.

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