Three tries from St Helens prop Chantelle Crowl and two for York’s Megan Pakulis saw Canada Ravens qualify for the 2025 Women’s World Series, after defeating USA Hawks Women 40-8 in the Americas World Cup qualifying tournament at Hodges Field, North Florida University in Jacksonville.
The Ravens now face Ireland, Fiji and Nigeria next year to decide the final place in the 2026 Women’s World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
“It was a really tough battle in the middle,” said Ravens head coach Mike Castle, as his side look to make their third World Cup. “The forwards knocked each other about for the full game. The Hawks have come a long way from last year and are only going to keep improving, it’s going to be great to see this rivalry continue.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do in the next twelve months to plan out the year and try to put ourselves in the best position we can be.”
USA led in the third minute, Hayley Sheldon scoring from a Samantha Black Keels kick to the corner but Crowl hit back with two tries, both powerful runs from close in sandwiching a debut effort from Caitlin Sears who also kicked three goals.
Rachel Choboter’s try took it to 22-4 at the break, Pakulis with her double inside nine minutes at the start of the second half. Sheldon grabbed her second score in identical fashion to the first before Crowl completed the scoring with another strong charge from a flat pass by Pakulis.
Hawks women’s head coach, Sean Rutgerson, commented: “I’m really happy with our efforts and our camp and we’ve got a lot to build on looking forward.”
In the curtain raiser, Jamaica’s women beat the Hawks Pioneers 48-12, centre Makeda Lewis with four tries.
USA HAWKS 8
Miranda Barnard, Marcaya Bailous, Cynthia Campbell, Christine Sargent, Haley Sheldon, Courtney Treco, Samantha Black Keels, Narcisse Jordan, Nicole Fisch, Kadie Sanford, Rachael Bradley, Ashley Mencke, Sarah Esther Anderson
Subs: Tiara A’au, ShaMarica Scott, Robyn Oliveri, Taylor White
Tries: Sheldon (3, 59)
Goals: Treco 0/2
CANADA RAVENS 40
Lauren Mueller, Brittany Jones, Petra Woods, Candance Scholten, Andie Girard, Dani Franada, Ale Lewis, Sarah Maguire, Catilin Sears, Chantelle Crowl, Gabrielle Hindley, Maddy Aberg, Megan Pakulis
Subs: Natalie Tam, Rachel Choboter, Tamisha Toussaint, Eleta Mitton
Tries: Crowl (9, 25, 63), Sears (13), Choboter (28), Pakulis (41, 50)
Goals: Franada 1/2, Sears 3/3, Aberg 2/2
Half time: 4-22
Referee: Michael Smaill