England Women draw
England Women drew their third Test in eight days with the world champion New Zealanders with an 8-all draw at Esher on Saturday afternoon. Having won the first two Tests, England thus took the series 2-0.
The Black Ferns had led for most of the match through an early Renee Wickliffe try but England substitute Natasha Hunt levelled the score with a 55th minute touch down. Penalties from England skipper Katy McLean, on her 50th cap, and her opposite number Kelly Brazier equalled the score.
Just as they had done on Tuesday, England started Saturday's Test strongly, putting New Zealand under immediate pressure.
But the world champions were a rejuvenated outfit, and took their opportunities well and when a ball went loose after a crunching tackle on wing Katherine Merchant, Renee Wickliffe picked up and sprinted down the left wing. Fullback Emily Scarratt put in a great tackle, but it was not enough to stop the Black Fern from touching down. The visitors led 5-3 after 12 minutes.
New Zealand were left battling with just 14 men after fullback Hazel Tubic was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle on Scarratt but England were not able to take advantage of their extra player. In fact, it was the Black Ferns who, although they did not get near England's tryline, put England under real pressure with Kelly Brazier and Justine Lavea combining and then Kelly Brazier having a second shot of goal. This time she made no mistake with the penalty and put New Zealand 8-3 ahead at half time.
England made a raft of changes at the break to get some fresh legs on. McLean had another chance at goal early on with New Zealand being penalised for several offences, but the England flyhalf couldn't make the kick. The Black Ferns then fell foul of the referee once again with flank Lydia Crossman this time ending up in the sin bin. England made the most of their opportunities. First a good line-out and drive saw England come close and then moments later another well worked line-out saw England drive forward and scrumhalf Natasha Hunt spotted a space to dive in and over the line. McLean missed the conversion but England were now back in the game at 8-8.
From there on in, it was end to end action with both sides pushing forward but also being penalised for their mistakes. With nine minutes to go New Zealand went close when Hazel Tupic and captain Victoria Grant found space out-wide but Tupic's pass went astray. England clung on, however, and showed tremendous strength in their defence to keep a hurting New Zealand side at bay.
Afterwards, England coach Gary Street said: "If I had been offered two wins and a draw against the world champions ten days ago I would have happily taken that result; so even though today's performance wasn't our best, I am happy.
"I think maybe winning the series 2-0 on Tuesday may have taken the edge off us today but the players showed real resilience to level the match after going behind in the first half."
The scorers:
For England:
Try: Natasha Hunt
Pen: Kay McLean
For New Zealand:
Try: Renee Wickliffe
Pen: Kelly Brazier
The teams:
England: 15 Emily Scarratt, 14 Katherine Merchant, 13 Rachael Burford, 12 Alice Richardson, 11 Kay Wilson, 10 Katy McLean (captain), 9 La Toya Mason, 8 Sarah Hunter, 7 Margaret Alphonsi, 6 Alexandra Matthews, 5 Tamara Taylor, 4 Rebecca Essex, 3 Sophie Hemming, 2 Amy Turner, 1 Claire Purdy.
Replacements: 16 Victoria Fleetwood, 17 Laura Keates, 18 Rowena Burnfield, 19 Marlie Packer, 20 Natasha Hunt, 21 Kimberley Oliver, 22 Georgina Roberts.
New Zealand: 15 Hazel Tubic, 14 Victoria Grant (captain), 13 Shakira Baker, 12 Teresa Te Tamaki, 11 Renee Wickliffe, 10 Kelly Brazier, 9 Kendra Cocksedge, 8 Casey Robertson, 7 Justine Lavea, 6 Lydia Crossman, 5 Eloise Blackwell, 4 Vita Robinson, 3 Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox, 2 Karina Penetito, 1 Kathleen Wilton.
Replacements: 16 Doris Taufateau, 17 Muteremoana Aiatu, 18 Amanda Murphy, 19 Rawina Everitt, 20 Emma Jensen, 21 Rebecca Mahoney, 22 Katarina Whata.
Referee: Ross Campbell
Assistant referees: Ed Turnill, Peter Crouch