By STEVE MASCORD
WALES took only nine minutes of their first women’s World Cup to score their maiden try – but it only served to spark Stuart Barrow’s England to action.
Paige Travis crossed adjacent to the posts with Tayla Preston’s goal tying the scores in 25 degree heat at Perth’s HBF Park.
It took six minutes for Georgia Wilson to cross on the right and from then until halftime, England purred with five more tries for a 40-6 lead.
Leeds debutant Connie Boyd finished with a hat-trick, Isabel Rowe, Amelia Brown, Anna Davies all doubles in a 70-6 triumph. Rowe equalled the record for points in a single match with 26.
Despite all that at times it was close to Wales’ best performance against England and they tightened up their defence and stemmed the tide following a try from Jasmin Strange shortly after the resumption of play.
That changed when Rowe scored in the 48th minute.
Wales were attacking in the 58th minute when a kick into the in-goal bounced into the arms of Amelia Brown. Brown pinned back here ears for an exhilarating 102 metre run to the line with Bethan Dainton in pursuit til the death.
England plays Australia in Perth next weekend while Wales meet Samoa.
ENGLAND 70 (Boyd 3 Davies 3 Rowe 2 Brown 2 Wilson Dodd Strange tries Rowe 10 goals) beat WALES 6 (Travis try Preston goal) at HBF Park, Perth.
ENGLAND: Fran Goldthorp (North Queensland); Anna Davies (Wigan), Georgia Wilson (Wigan), Connie Boyd (Leeds), Amelia Brown (Huddersfield); Isabel Rowe (Wigan), Georgia Roche (Newcastle); Mary Coleman (Wigan), Keara Bennett (Leeds), Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra), Jasmin Strange (Sydney Roosters), Eva Hunter (Wigan), Megan Williams (Wigan).
Reserves: Jodie Cunningham (capt, St Helens), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Jenna Foubister (Wigan), Hope Millard (Canterbury), Liv Wood (York), Ruby Bruce (Leeds), Lucy Murray (Leeds).
WALES: Leanne Burnell (Cardiff); Danielle McGifford (St Helens), Hannah Bluck (Cardiff), Zoe Heeley (Cardiff), Frances Layton (Cardiff); Ffion Lewis (London), Tayla Preston (Canterbury); Agnes Wood (York), Jasmine Gibbons (Cardiff), Emily Hughes (London), Georgia Cussons (Huddersfield), Paige Travis (St Helens), Bethan Dainton (capt, Wigan).
Reserves: Carys Marsh (Wigan), Kathryn Salter (London), Katie Carr (Cardiff), Erin Williams (Cardiff), Jade Mullen (London), Gracie Hobbs (Huddersfield), Amberley Ruck (Cardiff), Hollie Brussels (Warrington).
Referee: Tara Jones
Main image: Anita Reca/SWpix
