June 24, 2017
Women Eagles Sevens Start Clermont-Ferrand Sevens with Win Over Ireland
Photo: Women Eagles Sevens
Doug Coil
The Women’s Eagles Sevens began pool play at HSBC Clermont-Ferrand Sevens with a 12-7 win against Ireland. Next for the team is Japan at 8:44am ET with New Zealand at 11:50am. The entire tournament may be viewed live in the United States on The Rugby Channel.
A preview article is also available by clicking here.
USA v Ireland
Richie Walker elected to begin the match with a less experienced side with Alev Kelter and Naya Tapper on the bench. Sara Parsons made her debut with the Eagles Sevens and Nicole Heavirland was the captain for the match.
Ireland claimed the opening restart and attacked testing the Women Eagles Sevens defensive coverage. Ryan Carlyle blocked a kick, but Stacey Flood picked up the loose ball and motored in for a try with the conversion made by Kim Flood for a 7-0 lead.
Ireland continued to camp for much of the first half in USA territory. A Kim Flood cross kcik was picked up by Cheta Emba, but the ball was knocked on. Ireland swung the ball wide left as Stacey Flood drew in a defender, but an inaccurate pass to Murphy-Crowe was forward. The USA could not get any momentum going and were not accurate with their passing.
Just prior to halftime the ball went wide to Emba, but her pass inside went instead to Stacey Flood. The USA executed good coverage defense to close out the first half, with Ireland maintaining their 7-0 lead.
To begin the second half, Alev Kelter entered the match wearing number 11, instead of her usual No.6. The half began with the ball kicked to Emba, who was forced into touch. Ireland then attacked, but the USA turned the ball over at the breakdown. A penalty to the USA had kelter kicking deep into Ireland territory and then attacked from the lineout. A Emba grub kick was picked up by Parsons, who offloaded to Javelet, who executed a over the head pass to Ryan Carlyle for a try to narrow the lead to 7-5.
A penalty to Ireland had them kicking for territory and attacking from a lineout. The USA defense was strong at the breakdowns and Naya Tapper picked up the ball and went for a long run for the winning try. Nicole Heavirland converted for a USA 12-7 lead.
The ensuing restart went to Ireland and Stacey Flood found a gap and went deep into USA territory. Alev Kelter covered Flood and also the overload making the tackle driving the Irish attacker into touch to secure the USA win.
USA starters: Emba, Fa’avesi, Parsons, Heavirland, Carlyle, Hingano, Javalet
Ireland starters: O’Flynn, Tyrell, S. Flood, Williams, Murphy-Crowe, Keohane, K. Flood
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
Ireland: 1 Audrey O’Flynn 2 Hannah Tyrrell 3 Stacey Flood 4 Megan Williams 5 Amee-Leigh Murphy-Crowe 6 Claire Boles 7 Chloe Blackmore 8 Claire Keohane 9 Emma Murphy 10 Kim Flood 11 Anna McGann 12 Katie Heffernan
Women’s Eagles Sevens | HSBC Clermont-Ferrand Sevens
v. Ireland – W 12-7
v. Japan – Saturday, June 24 @ 8:44 a.m. ET
v. New Zealand – Saturday, June 24 @ 11:50 a.m. ET
