France women, with winger Haoua Kessely crossing for four of their seven tries, claimed a 36-8 win over Nigeria in a women’s senior international in Perpignan for world ranking points. The visiting Green Falcons held the hosts to a 14-4 interval lead before France dominated the second forty in an historic first meeting between the nations. “I’m happy with the result, it was a good test for us,” said France women’s head coach, Alan Walsh. “I think we tried to over play in the first half, we had a good chat at half time and the second was a lot better.
“I was very impressed with the physicality of Nigeria and their never-give-up attitude. Our next game will be in September against Ireland in Bordeaux and then it’s back to a weights and fitness program until we fly out to Papua New Guinea early October for the World Cup.” Kessely opened the scoring in the heat in the second minute, Lisa Diraison converting. Nigeria hit back when Adaeze Precious Innocent wriggled out of a tackle on her own 30m line, broke free and slipped an inside pass to Lauretta Bayere.
Kessely posted her second down the right and Song Puche delivered the final pass for her genuine hat trick soon after. France’s Anais Andral barged through to the left of the posts just before the break. Nigeria opened the second period impressively, Bayere sending in hooker Odiri Becky Okitikpe, France responding through Elisa Akpa’s fine solo effort. Diraison’s cut out pass to Kessely saw her claim a fourth try, fullback Manon Samarra with their final touchdown, Dirason with her fourth conversion.
New Nigeria women’s head coach, Melissa Spero, commented: “Overall our performance is a great place to be working from. Already the girls are learning and becoming better players and people. The first half was really positive and competitive.” The game played to NRLW rules with 35-minute halves in order to help France prepare for the World Cup.
France 36
Manon Samarra, Haoua Kessely, Amaël Vilanove, Margot Canal, Chahrazad Himoudi, Camille Boudad, Lisa Diraison, Elisa Akpa, Noemie Samuel, Elodie Pacull, Stecy Bessier, Salome Segala, Tallis Eranossian
Interchanges: Cristina Song Puche, Anais Andral, Louisa Tooman, Perrine Monsarrat
Tries: Kessely (2, 22, 31, 55), Andral (38), Akpa (52), Samarra (58)
Goals: Diraison 4/7
Nigeria 8
Ovbokhan Success Iyoha, Annique Omodiagbe, Lauretta Bayere, Confidence Ibelezim, Precious Endurance Ukwuoma, Rukayat Akinade, Adaeze Precious Innocent, Fedelia Omoghan, Odiri Becky Okitikpe, Danyelle Shobanjo, Abiola Obazuaye, Siobhan Sheerin, Diamond Osobu
Interchanges: Augustar Mene, Mary Adewa, Abbie Daly, Chinaza Blessing Abbah
Tries: Bayere (9), Okitikpe (44)
Goals: Innocent 0/1, Mene 0/1
Referee: Geoffrey Poumes (France)
Half Time: 14-4
