Bears Women trio seal Tri Nations Cup for Young Red Roses

What happened? 

Hollie Cunningham, Ebony Jefferies and Jess Thomas all scored second-half tries to help the Young Red Roses come from behind to beat Canada 24-15 and retain the Tri Nations Cup.

England led Canada 7-0 at the break thanks to Jodie Mallard’s first half try, which was duly converted by Bears Women’s Lucie Skuse.

However, the defending champions found themselves 15-7 down midway through the second-half thanks to tries from Emma Feldinger, Lizzie Gibson and a penalty from the boot of Shoshana Seumanutafa.

The hosts then sparked into life with twenty minutes remaining as Ebony Jefferies crossed the chalk, before Bears teammate, Hollie Cunningham drove her way over the line to put the Young Red Roses ahead.

With the game still in the balance as it entered the closing stages, replacement front rower, Jess Thomas sealed the victory for Jo Yapp’s side after diving over the whitewash to complete the comeback and win the Tri Nations Cup.

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England Women U20s head coach, Jo Yapp, said:  “Overall the tournament has been brilliant for the players' development, being in this environment over two weeks and being able to play two games and back up those two games is a really important part of their learning so as a whole it's been really important. You can see that in the way the girls have come together.

“In terms of this particular game, we knew Canada was going to be a tough encounter and that they are a strong and physical side. It was everything we expected it to be, we didn't make it easy for ourselves at times and made quite a lot of mistakes but what we're really proud of is the mental resilience that the players' had, even when we went down on the scoresheet to come back and show belief we could turn it around is something we're very happy with.”

Team:

15. Carys Cox, 14. Beth Willcock, 13. Phoebe Murray, 12. Ellen Ramsbottom, 11. Cara Clarke, 10. Lucie Skuse, 9. Jodie Mallard; 1. Akina Gondwe, 2. Connie Powell, 3.  Florence Long, 4. Iona Antwis, 5. Hollie Cunningham, 6. Ebony Jefferies, 7. Tabitha Copson, 8. Anya Richmond

Finishers: 16. Eleanor Febrey, 17. Lauren Leatherland, 18. Jess Thomas, 19. Bryony Field, 20. Amelia Harper, 21. Flo Robinson, 22. Emma Hardy, 23. Jess Cooksey