TRIES FROM EMILY Scarratt and Danielle Waterman helped England to end their World Cup pain, as they beat Canada 21-9 in this evening’s final at Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris.
Having lost to New Zealand in each of the previous three World Cup finals, there was a sense that England’s time had come in the build-up to this fixture. However, the ambitious Canadians made Gary Street’s side work intelligently for their victory.
Legendary flanker Maggie Alphonsi was sublime throughout, while Scarratt once again made the difference in the backline.
This title is England’s second in the competition, following 20 years after their 1994 success in Scotland. Having dismantled Ireland in Wednesday’s semi-final, the English came in as favourites against the entertaining and ever-improving Canada.
England had the better of the opening quarter, with influential outside centre Scarratt getting them off the mark with an 11th-minute penalty. The Kelly Russell-captained Canadians infringed again 15 minutes later, and Scarratt punished them a second time.
Street’s charges continued their control of the scoreboard by adding a try through Waterman in the 33rd minute, the fullback benefiting from some smart handling inside her to cross in the corner.
Scarratt missed that conversion to leave England with an 11-0 advantage, one that Canada wing Magali Harvey reduced to 11-3 on the stroke of half time with her first penalty.
24-year-old Harvey, who was named IRB Women’s World Player of the Year post-match, kicked two more penalties in the second half to draw Canada within touching distance, but then the class of Scarratt took control.
The Lichfield centre kicked her third penalty, before wrapping up England’s win with a try in the 76th minute. Scarratt powered through several weak tackle attempts to dot down, converting the score herself to confirm England’s deserved World Cup victory.
