In a stunning display, England's Red Roses opened their Women’s World Cup campaign with a 69-7 victory over the USA, showcasing formidable teamwork and skill.
What a way to kick off the Women’s World Cup! England’s Red Roses made an impressive statement with a staggering 69-7 win over the United States at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. With England showcasing their strength through an incredible total of 11 tries, this match set the tone for an exciting tournament ahead.
Match Overview
From the very first whistle, England commanded the field, with early tries from Sadia Kabeya and Hannah Botterman. The USA’s Erica Jarrell-Searcy managed to respond momentarily, scoring to close the gap. But everything changed when Alev Kelter received a yellow card, giving England the chance they needed to dominate.
Maud Muir and Ellie Kildunne quickly followed up with scores, leading to a halftime tally of 28-7.
As the second half kicked off, England’s confidence soared. Abby Dow, Kildunne, and Amy Cokayne all added to the scoreline, while Jess Breach and Lark Atkin-Davies each notched two tries.
Kildunne, who stood out throughout the match, remarked, “It was a game definitely of two halves. We found our way and fixed things coming into the second half.”
Record Crowd and Player Highlights
The match drew a record crowd of 42,723, highlighting the rising interest in women’s rugby. Kildunne, who was named Player of the Match for her relentless effort, praised the teamwork of England’s back three. “As a back three we’ve played together a long time. We train really hard together, we know how each other play,” she shared.
One of the most unforgettable moments came when Kildunne showcased her agility, controlling the ball with her thigh while sprinting down the wing before assisting Breach’s try. Reflecting on that play, she said, “It is instinct. I can’t say I meant to do it on my thigh, but I saw it curving towards the touchline.”
Looking Ahead
With this commanding victory under their belts, England has positioned itself as a tournament favorite. Kildunne expressed confidence in the team’s ability to learn and adapt as they gear up to face Samoa next. “You take confidence from every game, you learn from every game and now it’s onto the next one. We know Samoa is going to be a different opponent and we’re ready for it,” she asserted.
Meanwhile, USA captain Kate Zackary emphasized the need to focus on the positives, despite the loss. “On the pitch, the main thing we talked about was there’s still two more games. For us, it’s about remembering the small wins,” she said, underscoring the importance of regrouping and concentrating on upcoming matches.
