ENGLAND women, who included seven Bradford Bulls players in their starting line-up, had a crushing end to their World Cup campaign when they were beaten 52-4 defeat by New Zealand in this morning's semi-finals in Sydney.

England conceded two tries in the first six minutes but hit back through Tara-Jane Stanley, who pounced on a crossfield kick from Bulls half-back Kirsty Moroney to score midway through the first half, and they trailed only 14-4 at the break.

However, the Ferns ran in seven tries after the break at the Southern Cross Group Stadium, including a hat-trick for winger Honey Hireme and a double from Krystal Murray, to run away with the game and secure a place in next Saturday's final against holders Australia, who were 58-6 winners over Canada in the other semi-final.

The other Bulls players, Moroney apart, were centres Amy Hardcastle and Jessica Courtman, winger Charlotte Booth, prop forward Beth Sutcliffe, second-row forward Shona Hoyle and loose forward Lois Forsell.