France edged a tight affair with hosts Canada to pick up their first win of the Women's Nations Cup on Sunday, while USA also got off the mark with a comfortable 39-0 defeat of South Africa at Appleby College in Ontario.
The French had drawn 17-17 with South Africa and lost 43-8 to England in their two previous matches, but four penalties from fly half Aurelie Bailon ensured they found the winning formula to beat their hosts 12-7.
Bailon sliced the uprights with her first kick in the eighth minute, but with both sides testing each other it took time before Canada found a way through, full back Cheryl Phillips finding a gap in the defence and setting up a try for number 8 Barbra Mervin.
Anna Schnell kicked the conversion, but barely a minute later Bailon's second penalty cut the deficit to one point. The French fly half kicked another penalty to give her side a slender 9-7 half time lead in a match played in 30 degree heat.
The sides largely cancelled each other out in the second half with neither able to find a way through, Bailon's penalty just past the hour mark the only score after the break to secure France's first win in the tournament.
"We're working on our game management and the little things let us down today. We lacked a bit of execution. We scored the try but gave up too many penalties," admitted Canada coach John Long.
The five teams involved in the Nations Cup are all building towards Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 in England and match day four on Wednesday will see Canada tackle USA and England face South Africa.
"We've had good wins against the States and though they've all been very good games, we are viewing the match as a winning opportunity. It's a process for us and we'll keep building, not be discouraged by today."
USA too strong for South Africa
The Women's Eagles, like France, went into the match without a victory but dominated their match with South Africa throughout and scored six tries to run out 39-0 winners in the day's second match at Appleby College.
Phaidra Knight, a late call up on the eve of the tournament as an injury replacement, drove over the line in the fourth minute and after USA had gone close a number of times, the flanker crossed for her second try in the 17th minute.
Natasha Hofmeester and Zandile Nojoko made a break which saw them stopped just short of the USA try-line after a water break in the sweltering heat, but after more missed opportunities it was wing Victoria Folayan who crossed to send her side in leading 17-0 at the break.
South Africa's cause was not helped by a number of yellow cards in the match and further tries from flanker Beckett Royce, Folayan and Christy Ringgenberg - who also kicked a penalty in a personal haul of 12 points - saw the USA pull further ahead.
"It [a win] has been a long time coming and I finally see us play[ing] in the way I think we can play," said USA head coach Kathy Flores after ending a long wait for that elusive victory. "The players need to win to actually know they can win."
South Africa coach Denver Wannies added: "I think that this is probably our poorest game. What we need to do is go back to the drawing board and look at the areas where we need to improve."
