WORCESTER'S Jo Yapp led England Women to within touching distance of the World Cup and then praised the effort of her team.

England fell at the final hurdle, going down 25-17 to New Zealand in the final at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada.

"We went into this game as the underdogs but we were really confident we could take the game to them and really believed we could win," said Yapp. "It was such a close game with both sides fighting for 80 minutes and unfortunately we didn't come out on top.

"We had a lot of pressure in the first-half and unfortunately we couldn't put the points on the board. That hit us hard after the restart and they came out and scored straight away.

"However, the girls worked hard for the full 80 minutes and we did everything we possibly could. It was a tough game and you can't take anything away from the performance of the England girls.

"This was a fantastic final for people to watch and it's brilliant that we have had such tremendous support in Canada and at home. We can't thank our supporters enough really and I am just sorry we couldn't deliver it on the day for them."

Geoff Richards' side were just three points adrift of New Zealand when an injury-time try for full-back Amiria Marsh sealed a phenomenal third consecutive World Cup final win for the Black Ferns.

The Red Roses had the Black Ferns rattled from the very first whistle with Saracens fly-half Karen Andrew underlining England's intentions with a perfectly struck third minute penalty.

New Zealand drew level with an Emma Jensen penalty and then Monalisa Codling put their first try on the board, which Jensen converted.

Stephanie Mortimer then grabbed a try for the Black Fearns following some terrific team play between the backs and the forwards.

Referee Simon McDowell then awarded a 48th minute penalty try to England for consistent infringements in the scrum, which Andrew converted.

New Zealand wing Claire Richardson nearly touched down to score but Shaylor again executed another superb try-saving tackle to keep England within touching distance.

The deadlock was broken on 72 minutes when Black Fearns lock Victoria Heighway collected off the line-out and was driven over by her fellow forwards.

Helen Clayton was then driven over to give England on 79 minutes. Replacement Shelley Rae struck the conversion to put England three points adrift, only for a break by Mortimer who found Marsh, who again had the pace and space to finish off the game.