USA Women beat England & Control Their Destiny for the Cup Round at Sydney 7s

February 3, 2017

USA Women beat England & Control Their Destiny for the Cup Round at Sydney 7s

Doug Coil

After suffering a 19-10 loss to Russia the team faced England, 19-10 who were winners against Spain in their first pool match. Unfortunately, the USA lost and now find themselves with a must win against Spain to try to force their way into the Cup quarterfinals. The USA are in a tough pool and will face Spain at 1:54 a.m. ET Friday. The matches will be broadcast live via The Rugby Channel.

USA v England

England’s captain Abbie Brown fielded the opening restart from Alev Kelter from a bounce and find a gap to race in for along try. Lauren Cattrell converted and England had a 7-0 lead over the USA.

Naya Tapper then powered her way through several defenders. The ball was then swung wide and Ember found Thomas for a try in the corner to narrow the score to 7-5.

After a lineout throw by the USA the throw drifted and England stole the ball. Heather Fisher then ran threw a gap and outpaced the USA defender for a try under the posts. Cattrell once again converted and the score was 14-5 in favor of England.

On the restart the ball was kicked directly into touch. Kelter took the tap and after the breakdown Griffin went into contact and Kelter side stepped before handing off to Nicole Heavirland for a try. At halftime the score was 14-10 in favor of England.

In the second half the USA were the first to tack on points. After a grub kick ahead by Ember, Kelter picked up the ball and dove over the line in the corner for a try and a 15-14 lead. She then added a second try and conversion after Tapper advanced the ball to within 7 meters of the line off the breakdown. That sealed the match and a 22-14 win.

Russia then beat Spain 24-5, so after two rounds of pool play. Russia has 6 points and a point differential of +28 points, the USA is in second with 4 points and a -1 point differential, but with the win over England sit in second place. England is also 1-1 and has 4 points and has a +1 differential. Spain sits in fourth with an 0-2 record with a -28 point differential.

In the final round of pool play, the USA will play Spain and England plays Russia. The USA will need to replicate the game they had against Spain and then they are likely to be in the Cup Quarterfinals.

Preview article USA Women’s Sevens Squad Selected For Sydney Sevens

USA v Russia Recap

Women’s Eagles Sevens – HSBC Sydney7s
1. Cheta Emba 2. Kristen Thomas 3. Kelly Griffin 4. Ryan Carlyle 5. Nicole Heavirland 6. Alev Kelter 7. Naya Tapper 8. Kate Zackary 9. Joanne Fa’avesi 10. Kayla Canett 11. Hope Rogers 12. Sarah Buonopane

Starters: Emba, Thomas, Griffin, Heavirland, Carlyle, Kelter, Tapper

Non-Traveling Reserve – Lilly Durbins

Women’s Eagles Sevens – HSBC Sydney7s