Tara-Jane Stanley scored a second-half hat-trick as England sealed their place within the semi-finals of the ladies’s Rugby League World Cup with a cushty 54-4 win over Canada in Wigan.
Stanley, the reigning Super League Woman of Steel, additionally added 10 factors with the boot as England scored 11 tries together with a brace every for Leah Burke and 19-year-old World Cup debutant Hollie Dodd.
England will subsequent face Papua New Guinea on Wednesday evening with a spot on the prime of the group at stake as they give the impression of being in direction of a a lot sterner check within the semi-finals.
With a thoughts on his long-term plans, England coach Craig Richards introduced in all seven squad members who had not featured within the opening win over Brazil, together with handing a debut to Leeds Rhinos’ Zoe Hornby.
Their trigger was helped by a stunning begin from the Canadians, when Karina Gauto fumbled Stanley’s kick-off permitting Burke to squeeze over inside the first 40 seconds.
Nevertheless the Ravens rebounded with a robust spell of strain, prop Ada Okonkwo stopped near the road and wing Maddy Aberg additionally coming near levelling the rating.
England doubled their benefit when Dodd jinked over after 17 minutes adopted by Stanley’s first conversion and there was no approach again for the guests.
Wigan wing Georgia Jones marked her World Cup debut on her residence floor by going over within the nook after Courtney Winfield-Hill’s intelligent kick, then Dodd continued her memorable afternoon by crossing for her second.
With the Canadians visibly wilting, full-back Fran Goldthorpe wriggled over for an outstanding particular person attempt earlier than Georgia Roche barged by means of the center for a 30-0 interval lead.
The stage was set for Stanley to stretch England’s benefit after the interval and he or she capitalised on a woeful Ravens back-line to cross twice within the first 4 minutes of the second half.
But simply when the Ravens seemed like buckling they summoned a second to recollect when wing Petra Woods rounded off a uncommon spell of strain to the touch down and declare their first factors of the match.
Normal service quickly resumed as Carrie Roberts scored England’s ninth, earlier than Stanley accomplished her hat-trick as she palmed off a few Canadian tacklers to the touch down on the correct.
Burke crossed within the nook to finish England’s scoring in one other highly effective efficiency that clearly impressed the swelling crowd on the DW Stadium.
Source: www.impartial.co.uk