In a preview of next yearB次元官网网址檚 World Cup, the two top ranked womenB次元官网网址檚 teams in the world went toe-to-toe at Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday.The New Zealand Black Ferns held the upper hand in the end, besting a Canadian squad that included a few West Shore players by a 20-10 score.
Canada got second half tries from Magali Harvey and Laura Russell but that wasnB次元官网网址檛 enough to overcome the three tries and boot from New ZealandB次元官网网址檚 Kendra Cocksedge.
An uneven performance didnB次元官网网址檛 help the CanadiansB次元官网网址� cause.
B次元官网网址淲e werenB次元官网网址檛 consistent today,B次元官网网址� head coach Francois Tatier said. B次元官网网址淲e were able to score tries but we gave away soft penalties. We were courageous, we never gave up, but it just wasnB次元官网网址檛 enough today.B次元官网网址�
New Zealand led 8-0 at the interval but Canada came roaring back with a Harvey try that was set up with a timely interception from Westshore RFCB次元官网网址檚 Latoya Blackwood.
New Zealand answered immediately with a try of their own, pushing them to a 15-5 lead.
With the Black Ferns down a woman, Canada cut the lead to 15-10 with 15 minutes to play when Russell peeled away from traffic for a score.
New Zealand responded once again, sealing the victory.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not happy,B次元官网网址� captain Kelly Russell said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e disappointed with the way we came out and played. We didnB次元官网网址檛 start playing our game until midway through the second half. The girls give it their all every minute of the game. We canB次元官网网址檛 ask for more. We just have to be more switched on when we hit the pitch.B次元官网网址�
In addition to Blackwood, Westshore RFC was also represented by Barbara Mervin and Emily Belchos.
The match up was the second of a three-game November tour for the Canadian women, who have been drawn into the same pool as New Zealand for next yearB次元官网网址檚 World Cup.
Canada rocked Ireland by a 48-7 score on Saturday, with Belchos scoring one of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 seven tries in an emphatic victory over the fifth-ranked Irish.
Despite the lopsided score, Blackwood said it wasnB次元官网网址檛 an easy victory.
B次元官网网址淭he score does not reflect how tough it was,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 think we performed well. We had a week to prepare and that really helped.B次元官网网址�
Canada will be back on the pitch on Saturday when they face England, the reigning World Cup champions.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
