England run in 12 past Kazakhstan
England maintained their perfect record at the Women's Rugby World Cup in emphatic style as they thrashed Kazakhstan 82-0.
England maintained their perfect record at the Women's Rugby World Cup in emphatic style as they thrashed Pool B minnows Kazakhstan 82-0 on Tuesday.
Gary Street's side had for too much in the locker for their spirited opponents, running in 12 tries as they easily clinched the bonus point.
The England backs enjoyed an evening to remember with Fiona Pocock and Charlotte Barras scoring hat-tricks, but the forward pack put in the hard yards up front with flanker Heather Fisher producing a rampaging display and number eight Sarah Beale enjoying her outing.
They now prepare for their final pool outing against the USA with a maximum 10 points under their belts and will be eyeing the semi-finals.
Following their 27-0 victory over Ireland on Friday, England made a dozen changes to their starting line-up but took no time at all to settle into their stride and once they got the ball into the wide channels, they had too much pace and power for their opponents.
Pocock, starting at full-back, was the first to benefit as swift ball put her clear before Barras showed far too much strength and speed as she ran in two tries from distance.
The England pack were also keen to show that they had a few tricks in their locker as a well executed front peel at the line-out allowed Beale to power down the five-metre channel to score.
Replacement Katherine Merchant was the next to burst clear and touch down, before Rachael Burford completed the first half scoring after pouncing on a kick through that Kazakhstan allowed to bounce.
With fly-half Katy McLean in fine kicking form, landing six conversions from six attempts, England were 42-0 up at half-time and virtually home and hosed.
Despite the best efforts of the Asian champions, the England tries continued to flow in the second half.
La Toya Mason spotted no-one at home in the five-metre channel and went in untouched while Pocock finished off a break by Amy Turner and then completed her hat-trick as she burst through midfield before rounding her opposite number on her way to the line.
Roz Crowley smashed over from close range to chalk one up for the front row union, Amber Penrith showed great pace to finish off a slick backs move before Barras rounded things off as she finished in style.
In Pool B's other game, Ireland got their first win of the tournament as they edged a close encounter with the USA, prevailing 22-12.
The Irish produced a fine second-half display at Surrey Sports Park to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
Tries from full-back Niamh Briggs, scrum-half Tania Rosser and a brace from Joy Neville on the occasion of her 50th cap for Ireland gave Philip Doyle's side a vital bonus-point victory in their quest for World Cup glory.
Wales' hopes of reaching the semis are all but over after they slipped to a 15-10 defeat against South Africa in Pool A.
South Africa's victory was their first ever in the Women's Rugby World Cup and came courtesy of tries from Namhla Siyol, Charmaine Kayser and a wonder try from full-back Zandile Nojoko.
The result was somewhat harsh on Wales who dominated for long periods, but they had only a penalty from Non Evans and a late try from replacement Elen Evans to show for their efforts.
In Pool A's other game New Zealand maintained their perfect record with a comfortable 32-5 triumph over neighbours Australia.
In Pool C, Scotland lost their second consecutive match as they came up short against France, suffering a 17-7 defeat.
France now face a Pool C decider against Canada after they thrashed Sweden 40-10 to also maintain their 100 per cent record.