Rugby League World Cup: England maintain 100% record with PNG win to top group

England swept to a 42-4 victory over Papua New Guinea as they maintained their 100% record to win Group A on their way to the World Cup semi-finals.

Leah Burke scored a hat-trick of tries with Amy Hardcastle going over twice and Tara Jane Stanley, Vicky Whitfield and Caitlin Beevers also crossing for the impressive hosts.

PNG had taken an early lead with Martha Molowia going over in the left corner.

England play Australia or New Zealand in York in the last four on Monday.

Defending champions Australia face the Kiwi Ferns in York on Thursday (19:30 GMT) to determine which side will advance as Group B winners, with the runners-up facing England.

Head coach Craig Richards said: "It was what we needed. There are a few questions that have been answered.

"You don't want to be scored against but what do you do when you go behind - well you found out the answer tonight. You battle hard and fight your way back into the game.

"I don't think we could go into a semi-final against New Zealand or Australia without something tough or physical battle and adversity."

In the early game in Group A, Alanna Fittes scored a last-minute try for Canada to secure a 22-16 win over World Cup debutants Brazil.

Both nations had already been eliminated from the competition and it was Canada who emerged from a close contest with their first victory of the tournament.

England pass physical PNG test

After scoring 72 points against Brazil and 54 against Canada, England head coach Craig Richards expected and saw his side receive a sterner test against the Orchids, who like England were already guaranteed a place in the last four.

Having recalled former Woman of Steel Jodie Cunningham as well as Beevers, Hardcastle, Grace Field and Zoe Harris, an early error from Shona Hoyle was the cue for a spell of PNG pressure which resulted in Molowia going over in the corner.

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As England attempted to respond, Beevers was held up twice in the right corner while several passes went astray before they clicked into gear.

Courtney Winfield-Hill came to the fore with her invention and kicking ability, finding Burke for all three of the St Helens winger's tries, as England took control.

"We've got the connection," said Burke after the match. "There was so much space and I know when she is going to kick it. It showed what we have been practising and it paid off. I could see them coming down."

Hardcastle then scampered over in the left corner for England's second try of the evening after Whitfield shrugged off three markers to punch through the PNG defensive line.

Stanley's try and conversion gave England a healthy cushion heading into the break and they improved afterwards as the penalty count also started to go against the Orchids.

Whitfield powered over for England's fifth of the game, while Beevers was finally rewarded for her perseverance four minutes before full-time.

However, there was still time for a typically elusive run from Fran Goldthorp to lay the platform for Hardcastle to round off the scoring.

Evidence of the physical nature of the match was Player of the Match Cunningham, who played for most of the match with a large swelling under her left eye.

"I think this happened five minutes in," said the loose forward. "I think I had half an eye for most of the game.

"It was really physical and we dug in really hard across the field.

"We never panicked at any moment. I'm sure other people were but we didn't on the field because we knew we would have enough class."