By Martin Morgan

Last updated 14:42, Tuesday, 11 November 2008

Copeland Wildcats teenager Amanda Donaldson copped a bang in the throat against roughhouse Australia yesterday as England suffered their first women’s World Cup defeat against the host nation.

Amanda Donaldson

The prop-forward, from Cleator Moor, was left nursing a string of knocks after being targeted in the 22-4 defeat.

“They must have done their homework, because Amanda had been absolutely outstanding in our first two games,” said assistant coach Neil Gregg, the Wath Brow forward, speaking to News & Star Sport from Down Under.

“She really took some stick against Australia and had a burst nose and a burst lip. She also took an elbow in the throat at one point. She had a hard time, bless her.”

The Aussies scored with just 35 seconds left of the first-half, to make the score 10-4 at the interval. England failed to take their second-half chances as the hosts pulled clear.

“We didn’t play that smart and were drawn in to a physical game down the middle,” Gregg added. “We came out second best in that battle. The potential was there to beat them.”

England had already qualified for the semi-finals but hoped to beat Australia to avoid a clash with world champions New Zealand tomorrow for a place in the final.

Gregg said: “If we are to win the World Cup now, we’ll have to do it the hard way.”

A second Copeland Wildcat, Claire Hall, started at nine against the Aussies after crossing twice in England’s 54-4 weekend win over France. Australia face the Pacific Islands in the second semi.

The final will take place on Saturday as a curtain-raiser to the men’s World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.