WORCESTER wing Nicola Crawford scored a hat-trick of tries as England Women thumped Spain 86-3 in Madrid.

Geoff Richards' side, who a week earlier beat Wales 38-15 at home, ran in an impressive 14 tries en-route to the win, with Wasps full-back Susan Day topping the scoreboard with four.

Crawford's Worcester team-mate Joanne Yapp played at scrum-half.

Richards said: "This was a very pleasing all-round display. There was lots of good handling skills and ball movement throughout various phases of play.

"I wouldn't say any player stuck out in particular because this win was an all-round good team performance. However, the forwards' dominance in the set-piece was impressive and we put Spain under a lot of pressure on their own line-out and scrum."

n Worcester Warriors full-back Jamie Lennard kicked 16 points for England Students as they slipped to a 44-31 defeat at the hands of Italy Under 25s.

The Italian side comprised the same group of players who represented Italy 'A' against England 'A' in Colleferro a week ago and provided a very searching test of character for the younger student side.

Lennard, who represents Hartpury College, slotted four penalties and two conversions.

"They were very strong and physical and clearly determined to extract revenge for their defeat last weekend," said England Students manager Tony Lanaway.

"But I was very pleased with the way our boys played. The opposition was very strong, but we showed a big improvement on last week."

n A try from Worcester's Lois Moulding set England 'A' Women on their way to a 17-10 victory against US Eagles yesterday.

And her club team-mate Alice Richardson was also on the scoresheet with a conversion.

Worcester were also represented by Rebecca Essex, Amber Penrith and Claire Allen.