Wales 6-32 England: Visitors forced to battle for six-try victory

  • By Dafydd Jones
  • BBC Sport Wales at Pandy Park

Image source, Dean Livingstone

Image caption, International rugby league returned to Pandy Park for the first time in 25 years

England were made to battle for a 32-6 win over Wales at Cross Keys.

The visitors outscored Wales by six tries to one, but faced resistance from a Welsh side playing in just their third ever rugby league Test.

Fran Goldthorp (2), Amy Hardcastle, Shona Hoyle, Tara Jones and Holly Dodd all crossed for England, who led 20-0 at half-time at Pandy Park.

Wales got the try they deserved just after the hour mark with Leanne Burrell touching down to score.

Despite the defeat, there were clear signs of improvement from Wales, who only formed a women's side in 2019.

Their team, consisting mostly of regional players, gave England's side of Super League players a far tougher test than they did a year ago in Warrington, where they were beaten 60-0.

Wales will return to Cross Keys on 19 June to play Italy in the opening game of the Women's European Championship B competition.

Meanwhile, England will face France in a friendly in Warrington on 18 June as they step up their preparations for this autumn's World Cup.

England begin their campaign against Brazil at Headingley on Tuesday, 1 November.