Warriors Women had nine players on international duty this weekend, with five of them getting on the scoresheet including a hat-trick for Wales hooker Carys Phillips.
The action began on Friday night, with summer recruit Alycia Washington starting for USA in Dublin. The Eagles were beaten 20-10 by a hard-working Ireland team, and Washington will now be setting her sights on playing in next Sunday’s match against England at Sixways.
On Saturday Wales made it back-to-back Test match victories with a 29-19 triumph over South Africa thanks to a hat-trick from Phillips and a 14th minute try from Ffion Lewis. Lewis made history by becoming the first player to score points for Wales in both rugby league and rugby union in the same season.
Phillips’ hat-trick was the perfect tonic for a player who was starting an international match for the first time in 741 days after a bench cameo against Japan last week. They were all trademark scores, each underlining her power from the set-piece and her dominant display earned her the Player of the Match accolade.
The following day, Alex Matthews and Paige Farries were in action against each other for England and Canada respectively as Simon Middleton’s side continued where they left off against the Black Ferns by running in seven tries in a 51-12 win at Twickenham Stoop. England proved too strong despite been given a fright when Warriors wing Faries sprinted 55-metres to touch down early on. However, England’s class shone through and Matthews put the icing on the cake with a beautiful attacking line, which saw her run in the Red Roses’ final try of the afternoon.
Scotland versus Japan rounded things off in the tea time kick-off, with Lana Skeldon driving over for a score in the first half. The home side ran out 36-12 victors, with Skeldon impressing against a Japan team comprising of Warriors fly-half Minori Yamamoto. Yamamoto was a second half replacement, coming on the field of play on 55 minutes for the Cherry Blossoms.
Sixways Stadium plays host to England against USA on Sunday 21 November, with tickets still available by clicking here. There will be much interest in this game from a Warriors point of view too, with Lydia Thompson set to win her 50th Red Roses cap on her home ground.
Results
Fri 12 Nov Ireland 20-10 USA
Sat 13 Nov Wales 29-19 South Africa
Sun 14 Nov England 51-12 Canada
Sun 14 Nov Scotland 36-12 Japan