by Alex Hoad

England captain Catherine Spencer says she has mixed-emotions after the 13-10 defeat to New Zealand in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup.

The former Folkestone youngster (pictured) - now 31 and playing No 8 for Bristol - scored her 18th test try in the semi-final victory over Australia at Twickenham Stoop last Wednesday, only to lose the final against the Black Ferns for the third tournament in succession.

She was joined in the squad by Canterbury's Amy Garnett, 34, a former Littlebourne Primary School and Barton Court Grammar School pupil who now plays hooker for Saracens and is England's most capped player of all time.

Also featuring was Rachel Burford, former Medway junior from Chatham who attended Lordswood Junior School and Thomas Aveling School.

After the World Cup the 24-year-old Richmond centre will become an RFU Community Rugby Coach for Kent.

Spencer said: "We’re all absolutely gutted that we lost and lost by only three points. I’ve got mixed emotions. I’m really proud of the girls and what we’ve done not only in this tournament but for the last couple of years but I’m absolutely devastated that we didn’t win.

“We beat New Zealand in November and we were confident we could do it again. We’re really proud of our defence. The first 20 minutes was like a New Zealand onslaught but we kept them away from our line and they didn’t score which was awesome.

"Unfortunately we just didn’t quite get enough time in their half and couldn’t keep hold of possession.

“It was a fantastic atmosphere and listening to the national anthem being sung at the start was a moment in my life that I’ll never forget.”

Spencer said she had considered retirement after the tournament but the manner of the heroic defeat against a side who has only lost three games in its 20-year history - meant she feels she has unfinished business in the sport.

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