England Women (7) 10
Tries: Spencer Cons: McLean Drop-goal: McLean
New Zealand Women (3) 3
Drop-goal: Mahoney

England had been beaten by New Zealand in the last two World Cup finals

England Women gained revenge for defeat in the last two World Cup finals by beating world champions New Zealand 10-3 at Twickenham.

Captain Catherine Spencer scored the only try as England beat the Black Ferns for the first time since 2001.

Vice-captain Katy McLean added the conversion and a second half drop-goal.

"Winning the World Cup's not a pipe dream anymore, we can do it. That's our goal for the next nine months," said England head coach Gary Street.

When the teams met a week ago, New Zealand triumphed 16-3 but playing in front of a record crowd of 12,500 at Twickenham after the England men's match, England's women were in inspired form.

606: DEBATE I wish our men's backs had the skill and touch of some of the women WELL-PAST-IT

The visitors dominated the early stages but all they had to show for it was a Rebecca Mahoney drop-goal on 12 minutes.

Spencer's try came at the end of a period of sustained pressure, set up by a break from Wasps prop Claire Purdy.

Kat Merchant and Heather Fisher kept the move alive, before McLean set up Spencer to go over, adding the extras herself.

A brave defensive effort kept New Zealand at bay until half-time, and crucially England drew first blood after the break, with McLean's drop-goal extending their lead.

Mahoney missed two penalties for New Zealand, and England managed to hold on as the conditions grew worse, and ended up recording a famous win over the team who have won the last three World Cups.

The pools for next year's World Cup, to be held in London from 20 August to 5 September, were announced on Wednesday.

England, top seeds in their pool, will face USA, Ireland and Kazakhstan.

Wales - who beat England in this year's Six Nations - are in with favourites New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Scotland are in the third pool of four with the other top seeds France, plus Canada and Sweden.

England: Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Claire Allan (Richmond), Rachael Burford (Richmond), Charlotte Barras (Saracens), Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Amy Turner (Richmond); Claire Purdy (Wasps), Amy Garnett (Saracens), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), Heather Fisher (Worcester), Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Catherine Spencer (Bristol, captain).
Replacements: Sam Reeve (Worcester), Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Jane Leonard (Team Northumbria/Army), Georgina Rozario (Bristol), Alice Richardson (Richmond), Fiona Pocock (Richmond).

New Zealand: Kelly Brazier (Otago), Victoria Grant (Auckland), Huriana Manuel (Auckland), Amiria Rule (Canterbury), Carla Hohepa (Otago), Rebecca Mahony (Wellington), Emma Jensen (Auckland); Ruth McKay (Manawatu), Fiao'o Faamausili (Auckland), Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (Canterbury), Vita Robinson (Auckland), Victoria Heighway (capt) (Auckland), Casey Robertson (Canterbury), Justine Lavea (Auckland), Linda Itunu (Auckland). Replacements: Claire Rowat (Wellington), Kimberly Smith (Canterbury), Beth Mallard (Otago), Olivia Coady (Canterbury), Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Renee Wickcliffe (Auckland), Anika Tiplady (Canterbury)

Women's 2010 World Cup pools:

Pool A: New Zealand, Wales, Australia, South Africa

Pool B: England, USA, Ireland, Kazakhstan

Pool C: France, Canada, Scotland, Sweden

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