ENGLAND WOMEN MADE it a double disappointment for Irish rugby at Twickenham today, as they claimed a 13-9 victory in a closely fought encounter.
The hosts took an early 8-0 lead thanks to an Amber Reed penalty and an Emma Croker try, before Niamh Briggs hit back, registering three penalties from three attempts to give her side a one-point advantage early in the second half.
But Ireland failed to make the most of this momentum, even after Harriet Millar-Mills had been sin-binned, with Briggs sending a drop-goal attempt wide, as a sustained spell of Irish pressure failed to pay dividends, while the influential fullback also had a try disallowed.
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And with just under 20 minutes remaining, Ireland were made to pay for their missed opportunities, as Abbie Scott crossed over for the try that ultimately sealed her side’s victory.
Like their male counterparts, England Women now have three Six Nations wins from three matches, while it’s a second loss on the bounce for Ireland, who were previously beaten by France.
England Women complete a miserable day for Irish rugby
England Women 13
Ireland Women 9
ENGLAND WOMEN MADE it a double disappointment for Irish rugby at Twickenham today, as they claimed a 13-9 victory in a closely fought encounter.
The hosts took an early 8-0 lead thanks to an Amber Reed penalty and an Emma Croker try, before Niamh Briggs hit back, registering three penalties from three attempts to give her side a one-point advantage early in the second half.
But Ireland failed to make the most of this momentum, even after Harriet Millar-Mills had been sin-binned, with Briggs sending a drop-goal attempt wide, as a sustained spell of Irish pressure failed to pay dividends, while the influential fullback also had a try disallowed.
And with just under 20 minutes remaining, Ireland were made to pay for their missed opportunities, as Abbie Scott crossed over for the try that ultimately sealed her side’s victory.
Like their male counterparts, England Women now have three Six Nations wins from three matches, while it’s a second loss on the bounce for Ireland, who were previously beaten by France.
Scorers
England
Tries: E Croker, A Scott
Penalties: A Reed.
Ireland
Penalties: N Briggs.
England: Katie Mason; Lydia Thompson (Ruth Laybourn ’69), Lauren Cattell, Ceri Large, Lotte Clapp; Amber Reed, La Toya Mason (Bianca Blackburn 48); Rochelle Clark (Heather Kerr ’78), Emma Croker (Amy Cokayne ’60), Vickii Cornborough (Bee Dawson ’74), Abbie Scott, Emily Braund, Harriet Millar-Mills (Tamara Taylor ’69), Izzy Noel-Smith (Poppy Leitch ’73), Sarah Hunter (captain).
Ireland: Niamh Briggs (captain) (Jackie Shiels ’73); Elise O’Byrne White, Aine Donnelly, Sene Naoupu, Mairead Coyne; Nora Stapleton (Nikki Caughey ’55), Larissa Muldoon; Ruth O’Reilly, Cliodhna Moloney, Ailis Egan, Sophie Spence, Marie Louise Reilly (Ciara Cooney ’79), Ciara Griffin (Heather O’Brien ’64), Claire Molloy, Paula Fitzpatrick.
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Here’s the try that broke Irish hearts at Twickenham today>
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