The Oil Search PNG Orchids showed plenty of fight in their 36-8 loss to England last night at Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney.
Playing in their first-ever match at the 2017 Women’s Rugby League World Cup, the Orchids got off to a promising start with Naomi Kaupa pouncing on a loose ball to score out wide.
The English hit back immediately through a barging run by Shona Hoyle, who burst through the PNG defence for a four pointer.
Tara-Jane Stanley successfully added the extras to put her side in front after 13 minutes.
The Orchids regained the lead when centre Anne Oifua crossed over to make it 8-6.
England weren’t fazed, striking three times through Amy Hardcastle, Stanley and Charlotte Booth to take them out to an 18-8 advantage at the break.
With another forty minutes to be played, it was still anyone’s game.
But it was England’s Danielle Bond who broke the game open with a try scored out from dummy half, followed by another from Booth.
Beth Sutcliffe ran in England’s seventh try in the last five minutes to cap off a comprehensive win for the Lionesses.
The Orchids will face off against Canada this Sunday at Southern Cross Group at 6:30pm.
England 38 (Booth 2, Hoyle, Hardcastle, Stanley, Bound, Sutcliffe tries, Stanley 4 goals) PNG 8 (Kaupa, Oiufa tries)
(Picture credit: Rugby League World Cup)