The women’s rugby league World Cup kicked off in the shire on Thursday with the opening ceremony and the first of three triple header pool rounds.
Three-time champions New Zealand took on Canada in the opening pool game at Southern Cross Group Stadium, with the Kiwi Ferns firing a warning to tournament favourites Australia with a 50-4 victory.
But the Jillaroos, the defending champions, answered with a 58-4 thrashing of the Cook Islands in the second pool match.
In the final game on day one, England managed to overcome a fast start from Papua New Guinea to run out 36-8 winners.
The 2017 women’s rugby league World Cup is the fifth in the competition’s history. Australia took out the 2013 edition in England when they downed New Zealand in the final to win the title for the first time.
The second triple header of pool matches will be played on Sunday, with Australia taking on England in the opening game at 1.45pm.
New Zealand meet the Cook Islands in the second match at 4pm, with PNG to face Canada in the final clash at 6.30pm.
