Richmond's Essex: New Zealand were too strong (From Your Local Guardian)

Richmond's Essex: New Zealand were too strong

1:16pm Monday 6th September 2010 in

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Richmond’s Becky Essex admitted New Zealand were simply too strong for England as they claimed their fourth consecutive Women’s World Cup crown on Sunday.

The Black Ferns dominated the game, but stout defence from head coach Gary Street’s girls meant they needed a penalty from Kelly Brazier to edge a narrow 13-10 win in front of a record-breaking 13,253 crowd at the Stoop.

It completed a hat-trick of cup final defeats for the Red Roses at the hands of the reigning world champions, who had led 10-0 at half-time through a Brazier penalty and a try from player of the tournament Carla Hohepa.

England got back on level terms thanks to a try from Charlotte Barras after good work from Chessington’s Richmond scrum-half Amy Turner.

But Worcester Park school teacher Essex - one of five Richmond women to appear in the game including Rachael Burford, Emma Croker and Alice Richardson - conceded the best team won on the day.

“I’m really disappointed. We went out there and gave it our all, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough,” said the 27-year-old.

“New Zealand are a fantastic side and they got the best out of their squad on the day.

“We attacked as well as well as we could. New Zealand are so strong, even in defence. They kept hold of the ball and tactically they played it very well.

“The whole game was tense, but our defence has been something we’ve been really proud of throughout this whole tournament.

“It is what made us hold the score as well as we did, but unfortunately at the end of the day New Zealand’s attack was just too strong for us.”