August 22, 2017
Spain Beats Hong Kong to Move to 9th Place Final Against Italy
Photo: INPHO/James Crombie (Spain number eight Angela Del Pan scores the opening try)
Doug Coil
Spain beat Hong Kong 31-7 in the 9th Place semi-finals of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup on Tuesday, August 22 at Queen’s University in Belfast. Spain will meet Italy in the final, while Hong Kong will play Japan for 11th place.
Spain took an early 7-0 lead in the 6th minute, as Angela Del Pan scored the first try and Patricia Garcia converted. Adrienne Garvey had a chance to narrow the lead in the 22nd minute, but the penalty kick was missed.
Six minutes later, a Isabel Rico try and Garcia conversion increased Spain’s lead to 14-0. That lead was narrowed when Rose Hopewell-Fong scored a try for Hong Kong. After Garvey’s conversion the lead was 14-7, a lead that held up at the break.
The last two minutes of the half, Elena Redondo was sent to the bin and Spain for be down a player into the second half.
Hong Kong could not capitalize on Spain being down a player and Amaia Erbina went in for a try and Garcia conversion to increase the lead to 21-7. Iera Echebarria added a try a few minutes later as Spain led 26-7.
Late in the match, two Spain attack were lost as the team neared the try line. Finally Carlota Meliz crossed the line for a 31-7 lead.
The match continued for an additional five minutes after time expired, as Hong Kong had a sustained attack before losing the ball in Spain’s territory. Patrica Garcia then kicked the ball into touch for a 31-7 win.
With the win Spain will play Italy for 9th place, in a repeat of Spain’s pool win. Hong Kong will face Japan for 11th place.
Spain v Hong Kong: 1 Isabel Rico (C) 2 Isabel Macias 3 Jeanina Vinueza 4 Berta García 5 Elena Redondo 6 Diana Gasso 7 Paula Medin 8 Angela Del Pan 9 Anne Fernández de Corres 10 Patricia García 11 Iera Echebarria 12 Marina Bravo 13 Amaia Erbina 14 Uri Barruitieta 15 Barbara Pla 16 Saioa Jaurena 17 Aroa González 18 Laura Delgado 19 Lourdes Alameda 20 Maria Ribera 21 Carmen Perez 22 Carlota Meliz 23 Maria Ahis
Hong Kong v Spain: 1 Wong Yuen Shan 2 Pun Wai Yan 3 Lee Ka Shun 4 Chow Mei-nam (C) 5 Chan Ka Yan 6 Christy Cheng 7 Chan Tsz-ching 8 Amelie Seure 9 Mak Ho-yee 10 Rose Hopewell-Fong 11 Chong Ka Yan 12 Natasha Olson-Thorne 13 Adrienne Garvey 14 Laurel Chor 15 Colleen Tjoswold 16 Roycle Chan 17 Lau Nga Wun18 Pun Wai Yan19 Winnie Siu 20 Tsang Sin Yan 21 Jessica Ho 22 Lee Tsz Ting 23 Lau Sze Wa
