Women's Rugby World Cup: England beat Spain 45-5 in Pool A
Last Updated: 05/08/14 6:22pm
England made it two wins out of two at the Women's Rugby World Cup in France with a 45-5 thumping of Spain in Pool A.
Head coach Gary Street's side scored six tries to Spain's one, with Kay Wilson, Danielle Waterman, Laura Keates, Claire Allan and Marlie Packer - with two – all scoring and Emily Scarratt adding 15 points with the boot.
The win followed a 65-3 triumph over Samoa and sets up a Pool A decider with Canada, who have also won both their opening games in the battle to make the semi-finals.
After a cagey opening, England broke the deadlock when a deft grubber through from fly-half Ceri Large bounced perfectly for Wilson to jump on for her third try of the tournament.
Scarratt converted the try from wide, and the Lichfield centre duly added a penalty after 33 minutes.
At 10-0 Spain continued to press, but some dancing feet from Waterman saw her get over the line for her 35th international try and leave England 17-0 up at the break.
England then started the second half with real pace. First, Keates rumbled over to score after strong work from the pack before Allan was on hand to finish off a smart team move across the line for 31-0 and the bonus point.
Barged over
Scarratt converted both with ease and had her sixth successful kick after Packer barged her way over the line for her first try of the World Cup.
With just over 10 minutes to play Spain were rewarded with their first try after a spell of pressure on England's line - Marina Bravo eventually diving over.
But it was England who had the final say. Packer scored her second try after more strong work from the pack and Scarratt rounded off the win with the conversion, her seventh from seven attempts.
England captain Sarah Hunter said: "It was a tough game, we knew that Spain would come at us and cause us problems.
"It was a case of playing in the right areas and hoping that we would get the rewards - and eventually they came.
"Canada up next will be a huge test for us, we'll look at this game and take what we can out of it and then switch attention to that match on Saturday which will be a difficult game as they are an excellent side."