England Women got off to the perfect start in Tonneins to triumph 24-4 in their opening international against France Women on Wednesday (June 17).
England Women – 24 (T: Jones 2, Cunningham 2, Booth; G: Courtman, Roberts), France Women – 4 (T: Britis)
The first of a two-match series could not have gone any better for England, who dominated a resilient French team desperate for victory on home soil.
Tara Jones got the first try for England by opening the scoring on 14minutes and was closely followed by Jodie Cunningham after Andrea Dobson broke the line to find the full-back in support to score the second try on 17 minutes.
French winger Blandine Britis gave the home team some hope by scoring her side’s only try of the game on the stroke of half-time to make it 10-4 at the interval.
England were in irrepressible mood following the restart and soon extended their lead as slick passing from Jenny Welsby, Sarah Fletcher and Amy Hardcastle sent Jones in for her second try four minutes into the half.
Cunningham also scored her second after she pounced on a kick from Welsby to put England 14-points with less than an hour played.
Charlotte Booth scored the final try of the game after she received the ball on the right wing and stepped inside past two oncoming defenders to go over the line. Carrie Roberts converted on the final whistle.
England Women now head into the final match of the series on Saturday (June 20) in Biganos (6.30pm).
England Women:
Jodie Cunningham (Thatto Heath)
Charlotte Booth (Bradford Thunderbirds)
Tara Jones (Thatto Heath)
Sarah Dunn (Stanningley)
Kayleigh Bulman (Featherstone Rovers)
Danielle Bose (Bradford Thunderbirds)
Jenny Welsby (Thatto Heath)
Andrea Dobson © (Featherstone Rovers)
Lois Forsell (Bradford Thunderbirds)
Sarah Fletcher (Normington)
Carrie Roberts (Armed Forces)
Jessica Courtman (Bradford Thunderbirds)
Emily Rudge (Featherstone Rovers)
Interchange
Danielle Bound (Thatto Heath)
Danika Priim (Stanningley)
Faye Gaskin (Thatto Heath)
Amy Hardcastle (Bradford Thunderbirds)