The UKAF Women’s team got its first win of the inaugural International Defence Force Women’s World Cup in New Zealand overnight.
Hard-fought losses against Australia and Fiji had put UKAF into the Plate competition and a play-off match against Vanuatu & Papua New Guinea.
Vanuatu & PNG had had a tough pool themselves, having lost to New Zealand, France and Tonga, and UKAF made the most of having played a game fewer by putting their opponents to the sword, winning 91-5.
The Army had 11 players involved in the match day 23. Five of them crossed for tries – Capt Fionidi Parker (REME), LCpl Emily Williams (AGC (RMP)), Bdr Bethan Dainton (RA), Capt Erica Mills (RA) and Gnr Amy Carr (RA) – with Capt Parker and LCpl Williams both scoring twice, and SSgt Jade Mullen (AGC (SPS)) landing four conversions.
UKAF showed they had come to play inside the first two minutes with their opening try and added three more before the first 10 minutes had been played. Leading 48-0 at half-time the contest was well over, but UKAF kept on coming, scoring a further 43 unanswered points in the second half before Vanuatu & PNG finished the action with a solitary try of their own.
The win puts UKAF into the Plate final against Tonga next Tuesday, October 25th.
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks | All images – UKAF Rugby © Neil Kennedy
LCpl Millie Williams (AGC (RMP)) and Bdr Bethan Dainton (RA) were amongst the scorers for UKAF
Capt Fionidi Parker (REME) was named player of the match for UKAF and the Army’s SSgt Jade Mullen (AGC (SPS)) skippered the side to victory.
A full gallery of images from the match can be viewed HERE
