By Martin Morgan

Last updated 13:21, Friday, 14 November 2008

CUMBRIAN duo Amanda Donaldson and Claire Hall declared England women’s World Cup campaign a success after they yesterday wrapped up third-place with a smooth 28-0 win over Pacific Islands in Australia.

Copeland Wildcat Hall, 20, revealed that England did not hit top gear in the third-place play-off but still emerged comfortable winners.

“It showed what we could do, and it was still a really good performance,” she said. “It wasn’t as good as playing in the final, but third-place was well-deserved.

“It just proves that women’s RL is definitely growing in England. We’ve had a lot of comments from people about what we’ve done over here.

“I’m now looking forward to next year, when hopefully I’ll be seen as more of a senior player.”

Cleator Moor-based Donaldson, at 18 the second-youngest member of the England party, said: “If we had played a little better in our earlier matches – we could have improved against Australia – we could have finished higher. But third-place is okay.”

Holders New Zealand, who beat England in their semi, meet Australia in the final today.