It was a big day for women’s international rugby in Calgary on Saturday June 27. Four teams were competing in the Women’s Rugby Super Series at Calgary Rugby Union (CRU) Park: England vs USA; and Canada vs New Zealand.

England vs USA

First game up saw England playing a strong game in the first half with good running and repeatedly regaining possession back in the rucks. They ran in four tries in the first half from #10 Emily Scott, #14 Kay Wilson, #4 Rowena Burnfield and #15 Sarah McKenna. With a converted try from Team USA’s full-back, Jessica Wooden just before the half-time whistle it was 22-10 at the turnaround.

England’s full-back McKenna scored a second early on in the second half followed by further tries from #23 Rachel Lund and flanker, Marlie Parker.

Final score: England 39-13 USA

Canada vs New Zealand

New Zealand proved to be too much trouble on this day for Canada, running in eight tries to four. The Black Ferns opened the scoring but Canada brought it back after 15 minutes with a well-worked try by tight-head prop, Olivia Demerchant. Two more tries from New Zealand included a break-away from just inside the half-way line. With 40 minutes on the clock, Canada squeezed in a converted try from centre, Amanda Thornborough, making it 18-12 at half-time.

The game kept up a fast pace in the second half, although Canada were beginning to make some handling errors that lost some scoring opportunities. Fortune also played out for the Black Ferns when a clearing kick from within their 22m line rebounded off a Canadian forward. Most teams would cautiously recover this ball and kick it out of play. But this is New Zealand rugby. A couple of passes across their own try-line and the ball was out to speedy winger, Honey Hireme who took flight across the whole field to score her second try of the game.  Canada pulled back with a powerful forwards push over, scored by second-row, Tyson Beukeboom but New Zealand scored again also immediately.

Final score: Canada 22-40 New Zealand

Photography

For more photos of the Women’s Rugby Super Series in Calgary, please see:

J. Ashley Nixon Photography