Moloney-MacDonald scores four as England beat USA 55–12
England ended their run of two defeats with a 55–12 win over the United States in the WXV Global Series. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scored four of England’s nine tries in New Jersey. The visitors pulled away after a competitive first half, while the Americans finished with two tries through Hope Rogers and Kate Zackary.
Sports··Midday
England end the losing run
England’s women’s rugby union team beat the United States 55–12 in New Jersey in the WXV Global Series, the international women’s competition. Winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scored four tries and was named player of the match. England finished with nine tries in all, returning to winning ways after consecutive defeats against Canada on their North American tour.[1], [2]
The Americans had won their first four matches of the competition and were seeking only their second victory over England, following the 1991 World Cup final. England took the initiative early, however. Moloney-MacDonald crossed twice in the same corner in the opening 13 minutes, before captain Meg Jones added another try after full-back Emma Sing’s run towards the line.[1]
Four tries for Moloney-MacDonald
The USA still created openings before the interval. Kathryn Treder’s attempt from a maul was disallowed for obstruction at the line-out, while prop Hope Rogers scored from close range. Moloney-MacDonald struck again three minutes into the second half. Her fourth followed a powerful carry by Sadia Kabeya and a pass from Jones, taking her tally to four before the 50-minute mark.[1]
Mia Venner added her name to the scorers on the hour. England then scored through replacement hooker Bryony Field, who broke from the back of a line-out maul in the 69th minute. That score came shortly after American replacement prop Mona Lisa Tupou had been temporarily sent off. Maddie Feaunati ran clear three minutes later for England’s eighth try.[1]
USA score last as England pass fifty
Kabeya supplied England’s ninth try near the end, pushing the visitors beyond 50 points. A forward pass from Hannah Botterman had just denied fellow prop Sarah Bern a score. The USA then had the last word: Kate Zackary crossed after a penalty had taken the hosts into the corner, with regulation time already over. Rogers and Zackary accounted for the Americans’ two tries in the 43-point defeat.[1]
