June 24, 2017
Women Eagles Sevens Beat Japan to Advance to Cup Quarterfinals at Clermont-Ferrand Sevens
Photo: Women Eagles Sevens
Doug Coil
The Women’s Eagles Sevens advanced to the Cup Quarterfinals at HSBC Clermont-Ferrand Sevens after first defeating Ireland 12-7 and then Japan. They will face Series standing leader, New Zealand at 11:50am ET to determine the Pool A winner and for seeding in the quarterfinals. The entire tournament may be viewed live in the United States on The Rugby Channel.
USA v Japan
Richie Walker selected the same starters from the win over Ireland. The starters responded with an aggressive defense with Japan’s attack going backwards.
Two minutes into the match, Jessica Javelet created space and a Cheta Emba switch resulted in a try under the posts, in which Nicole Heavirland added the conversion to take a 7-0 lead.
An Emba offload to Joanne Fa’avesi then added another try and conversion by Heavirland for a 14-0 lead at halftime.
Japan used quick hands to spring Chisato Yokoo around the wing for a try to begin the second half. On the restart, an Emba break with offloads to Sara Parsons to Ashley Perry resulted in a USA third try to increase their lead to 19-5.
The USA then added two more tries. The first of these had the USA counter rucking to win a scrum. Alev Kelter then split two defenders for a try and a Heavirland conversion. The restart also found Kelter scoring under the posts and then converting for a 33-5 win to earn a trip to the Cup Quarterfinals.
Kelter also surpassed a milestone in passing 300 points in the Series, with her 37th and 38th try. She now has 311 points. Natalie Kosko made her debut for the Women Eagles Sevens as a reserve.
The USA now turn their attention to New Zealand, who are also 2-0, after a 26-5 win over Ireland. The USA can win Pool A with a win or a draw against the Black Ferns at 11:50am ET. The match will also determine seeding in the Cup Quarterfinals. With a win or a draw against the Black Ferns, they will face the 8th seed (2nd best 3rd place team) and with a loss, they will likely face Australia, although host France is a possibility.
USA Starters: Emba, Fa’avesi, Parsons, Hevirland, Carlyle, Hingano, Javalet
Japan Starters: Bativakalolo, Kuwai, Nakamura, Yokoo, Kozasa, Hirano, Yamanaka
Women’s Eagles Sevens – HSBC Clermont-Ferrand Sevens
1. Cheta Emba 2. Joanne Fa’avesi 3. Sara Parsons 4. Nicole Heavirland 5. Ryan Carlyle 6. Mata Hingano 7. Jessica Javelet 8. Ashley Perry 9. Natalie Kosko 10. Tess Feury 11. Alev Kelter 12. Naya Tapper
Japan: 1 Raichierumiyo Bativakalolo 2 Yume Okuroda 3 Ano Kuwai 4 Chiharu Nakamura 5 Chisato Yokoo 6 Ai Nakamuru 7 Mifuyu Koide 8 Emii Tanaka 9 Tomomi Kozasa 10 Yume Hirano 11 Ateca Yumi Bakivakalolo 12 Mio Yamanaka
A preview article is also available by clicking here.
Women’s Eagles Sevens | HSBC Clermont-Ferrand Sevens
v. Ireland – W 12-7
v. Japan – W 33-5
v. New Zealand – Saturday, June 24 @ 11:50 a.m. ET
