Monday 13 February 1989

England v Wales

England 38 Wales 4

England took the upper hand very quickly in their women's international match at The Reddings in Moseley yesterday. Wales did not have the fitness to meet the onslaught from England's smooth-running backs.

Led by their stand-off half, Almond, England repeatedly ran through the Welsh defence. Almond was the linchpin in much of the play, scoring two tries herself and kicking five conversions. The English wingers outpaced their opponents MacLaren scoring once and Stennett going over three times.

A five-metre scrum gave the stronger English pack a pushover try by their No.8, Purdy. Wales, however, were not deterred despite increasing tiredness and the lock forward, Eaves, scored a last-minute consolation try.

SCORERS: England: Tries: Stennett (3), Almond (2), MacLaren, Purdy. Conversions: Almond (5). Wales: Try: Eaves.

ENGLAND: Shapland; Ponsford, Watts, Ross, Burns; Cockerill, Whalley; Purdy, Mitchell, Almond, MacLaren, Robson, Harris, Stennett, Mitchell.

WALES: Davies; Harvey (rep: Lloyd), Bowen, Eaves, Margerison; Carey, Thomas; Burgess, Hayley, Bennett, Williams, Samson, Phillips, Wyatt, Longstaff.

Source Citation
"Almond commandeers England onslaught; Women's Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 13 Feb. 1989