Great Britain and Ireland were beaten 22-12 by New Zealand in the opening match of the Women's World Series at Orrell Rugby Union Club last night.

The Kiwis, who beat Britain 3-0 in the 1998 Test series, were always ahead and led 8-0 at half-time.

Britain's two try scorers were joint captain Shelley Land and her Wakefield Townville Panthers team-mate Natalie Gilmour, sister of men's GB international Lee.

Joint captain Brenda Dobek, also of Wakefield, tagged on two goals.

Try-scorers for New Zealand were Selena Te Amo (2), Stacey O'Carroll, Mariama Niha and Tracey Wrigley.

A crowd of 750 braved the bad weather to watch the match.

The next match of the series takes place at South Leeds Stadium on Friday when the Kiwis meet Australia.

Great Briatin take on Australia next Tuesday at Spotland Stadium, Rochdale.

Wakefield's York-based forward Michelle Handley will be hoping to be included in the team after missing out last night.

Meanwhile, former Grade One referee Gerry Kershaw, head of the sxith form at Easingwold School, has been appointed as match commissioner for Engalnd's World Cup quarter-final against Ireland at Headingley on Saturday.

He will also be the teams' liaison for the New Zealand-France quarter-final at Castleford the following day.