England too strong for Black Ferns in Langley

Down 22-12 at halftime the Black Ferns were a fighting chance but three tries in ten minutes upon the resumption snuffed out any chance. 

The Black Ferns were punished immediately. A shallow clearance gifted England a lineout inside the Black Ferns half. England secured possession at the back and a sumptuous move involving six passes with loops and decoys saw winger Abby Dow unmarked and clear.

Three minutes later the Black Ferns were again anchored deep in their territory and fullback Renee Homles had a left-footed kick charged down by halfback Natasha Hunt who scored her 12th try in 75 Tests. 

England was rampant and two skip passes saw Dow fend off Vahaakolo and pass inside to left winger Jess Breach: scorer of 46 tries in 42 Tests. 

Earlier the Black Ferns started with gusto and accuracy. Ayesha Leti-I'iga snatched a turnover. A long pass by Ruahei Demant to Katelyn Vahaakolo had England scrambling. 

The Black Ferns opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Robust carries by Tanya Kalounivale and Kennedy Tukuafu earned a penalty, from which a five-metre scrum was taken. No.8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker barrelled over the top of Hunt.

In the tenth minute, Hannah King was barrelled by Dow losing the ball inside the 22. From a scum fullback, Ellie Kildunne ripped it wide to Dow who fended off Renee Holmes. Helena Rowland nailed the sideline conversion 

Both sides were committed to expansive attack. Tukuafu knocked on a Holly Aitchison fumble from a Holmes kick when the try line loomed. Alex Matthews busted and threw an intercept to a retreating Katelyn Vahaakolo.

Matthews charged down King which led to a knock on inside the 22. England constructed basic and belligerent pods and Jess Breach ambled over.          

Another error would cost the Black Ferns five points. Kildunne kicked it to King who dropped it cold. England’s forwards went to work before Kildunne finished. She has scored 14 tries in 2024.  

The Black Ferns pulled one back with Demant firing a pass to Ayesha Leti-I'iga. With two turnovers and repeat breaks, Leti-I'iga was again a standout. 

In a dozen minutes, England expanded the score from 17-12 to 34-12. The rot set in on the halftime siren. Robust surges by Maud Muir, Hannah Botterman, and Marile Packer fragmented the Black Ferns defence. England hit the edge and Dow netball passed to Kildunne. Dow has scored 40 tries in 48 Test matches.

Down 39-12 the Black Ferns were briefly resurgent. Georgia Ponsonby crashed over after earnest forward industry in the 58th minute.

Five minutes later Olsen-Baker (10 tackles, 17 carries) snatched an intercept and burst 60m. Olsen-Baker was rundown by Helena Rowland. Maia Roos was first to arrive in support and fended off Maddie Feaunati to gallop 25m. 

England steadied with the introduction of reserves. Zoe Harrison and Emily Scarratt added touches of class. 

Matthew with 16 and Abby Ward 14 topped the tackle count. Ross with 14 tackles was tireless. 

England has won 13 of their 33 Tests against the Black Ferns. England’s biggest win against the Black Ferns is 56-15 in 2021.

In other WXV 1 matches hosts Canada foiled Ireland 21-8 and France battled past USA 22-14.

“Full credit to England. We weren’t clinical enough today. When things happened, we didn’t win the next moment. We were always on the back foot,” Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant said.

Black Ferns 31: (Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Georgia Ponsonby, Maia Roos, Mo’onia Vaipulu tries; Renee Holmes con; Hannah King 2 con) England: 49 (Abby Dow 2, Jess Breach 3, Elly Kildunne 2, Natasha Hunt, Zoey Harrison; Helena Rowland 2 con) HT: 22-12