Worcester Valkyries winger Lydia Thompson bagged a brilliant hat-trick as England Women finished their Women’s Rugby Super Series on a high, seeing-off USA Eagles 39-13 in Salt Lake City on Saturday.
Following, a disappointing start to the series against Canada, the Women bounced back against France before their latest triumph over hosts USA, as seven Worcester players featured in the tournament.
Thompson got her team off to a dream start against the USA in just the fifth minute with a try in the corner following quick hands from England’s backs.
It was then forward power which dominated throughout the match, and a rolling maul allowed Amy Cokayne to bundle over 15 minutes later for the first of her two tries of the game.
Thompson scored her second before half-time, while England ran riot in the second-half as Alex Matthews and Millie Wood scored before Thompson completed her hat-trick with a fine solo try.
Thompson picked the ball up in her own half, shrugged off a couple of tackles and sprinted away for a fine score. Alycia Washington scored USA’s only try seven minutes from time.
Lead Coach Scott Bemand said: “I am hugely proud of the result. It’s been a tough two weeks having got off to the start we did against Canada.
“We said we would regroup and we said we would stick to our principles. The squad have gone away and worked incredibly hard. The way they have managed to come back and produce a performance against the USA who had won their last two coming into this game, in their country and on their turf, was really impressive.
“The USA threw everything at us physically and our girls have done ever so well to come back here, stick to their principles and then ultimately come up with the result.”
England Women results
Canada 52-17 England
England 17-13 France
England 39-13 USA
You can see the new-look Worcester Valkyries in action at Sixways this season. Keep an eye out for fixtures coming soon!