FIVE Thatto Heath-St Helens players featured in a shock defeat for England at the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.
Despite the 22-16 loss to the Cook Islands in the early hours of this morning, Jodie Cunningham, Emily Rudge, Dannielle Bound, Tara-Jane Stanley, Chantelle Crowl and the rest of their England teammates will still be in the competition’s semi-finals, which take place on Sunday.
They pipped their conquerors to second place in Pool A on points difference, with Australia topping the group.
Vice-captain Cunningham and Rudge started at full-back and second row respectively, with Stanley starting on the wing and Crowl in the front row while Bound came off the bench as interchange hooker.
England trailed 16-0 at the break, but tries from Emma Slowe, Amy Hardcastle and Kayleigh Bulman dragged the Lionesses level with seven minutes remaining.
However, a try in the last minute from Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate sealed a momentous victory for the Moanas, who started as massive outsiders following heavy defeats to Australia and New Zealand in their previous outings.
Match Highlights from @England_RL v @CookIslandsRL#ENGvCIL#WRLWC2017 pic.twitter.com/xfGEORW4ge
— RLWC2017 (@RLWC2017) November 22, 2017
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