The HSBC USA Women’s Sevens Series was held in Glendale, Colorado on October 5-6, 2019. The USA won back-to-back HSBC Women’s Series titles with a 26-7 win over Australia.
In the Bronze Final, New Zealand defeated France 31-14 and in the 5th Place Final, Spain beat Canada 12-7.
The remaining teams were Russia (7), Ireland (8), England (9), Japan (10), Fiji (11), and Brazil (12).
Cup Final: USA vs Australia
Alve Kelter opened the scoring with a try 90 seconds into the match and then converted for a 7-0 lead.
Australia responded as Ellia Green sped away for a try with Williams converting to level the match at 7 all.
Just prior to the break, Ilona Maher chased down an attacker and created a turnover. She then finished with a try for a 12-7 lead at the break.
Australia had the early possession in the half, but the Women’s Eagles defendered well.
Then the USA struck with two tries by Nicole Heavirland, the first which Heavirland added the extras, while Kelter added the conversion on the second. With two minutes remaining the USA had a 26-7 lead, which ended as the final.
With the win, the USA claimed their first-ever back-to-back cup championships and now the the number one spot in World Rugby rankings.
Next up, the series moves to Dubai for the second round on December 5-6.
Cup Semifinal: USA vs New Zealand
The USA opened the scoring with a try by Alev Kelter 18 seconds into the match. with Kelter adding the extras to lead 7-0. Naya Tapper gathered the re-start, but was penalized for not releasing the ball in the breakdown prior to the line.
New Zealand then went through phases before Kelter was penalized for a high tackle. The ball went to Stacey Waaka for a try. The USA maintained the lead after a failed conversion attempt.
Early in the second half, Cheta Emba was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on on a New Zealand pass. New Zealand looked to have scored an apparent try try by Shakira Baker in the right corner, however the TMO indicated that her foot went into in touch resulting in a turnover to the USA.
New Zealand added a try by Baker soon after with Brazier converting to take a 12-7 lead.
The USA responded with tries by Kristi Kirshe and Lauren Doyle to lead to 19–12 in the closing seconds.
New Zealand scored a try in the right corner in the 17th minute, however Kelly Brazier’s conversion was wide, with the USA claiming a 19-17 win.
Cup Quarterfinal: USA vs Canada
The USA Women’s Eagles Sevens clinched a spot in the tournament semi-finals beating Canada 29-26.
The USA had the early possession with Naya Tapper finding a gap and offloading toCheta Emba for the score. Alev Kelter added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Canada responded with a Kayla Moleschi try, with Landry converting to level the match at 7 all. Alev Kelter was sent to the bin for a no-arms tackle.
Canada took advantage on the USA being short-handed and scored two tries by Ghislaine Landry and Julia Greenshields to lead 19–7.
Kelter’s return impacted immediately fending off Landry for a try to cut the lead to 19-12 at the break.
During the second half there were multiple lead changes and an exciting finish.
Naya Tapper and Kristi Kirshe scored tries to re-take the lead, with Canadian veteran Karen Paquin adding a try of her own. Canada lead by two points with seconds remaining, however Cheta Emba claimed the restart and raced down field for the winning try for a final of 29-26.
Pool: USA vs France
The USA and France met to decide the Pool winner with both teams knowing that they were int eh Cup quarterfinals.
Lauren Doyle scored the first ry in the 3rd minute with Nicole Heavirland converting to lead 7-0. France struck back three minutes later with a try by Bertrand and with Drouin adding the extras to level the match at 7 all.
France added tries by Pelle and Grisez for a 17-7 lead, before the lead was cut to 17-14 after a Kirshe try and Hevirland conversion.
France added a final try by Ciofani with Medee converting fot the 24-14 win.
Pool: USA vs Ireland
The USA had a dominant win against Ireland, their 11th win all-time in 15 total meetings.
Ilona Maher left an Irish defenderbehind and raced 65 meters for her second try of the tournament. Naya Tapper added two tries in less than two minutes to push the lead to 19-0.
Just prior to the half, Alev Kelter gathered a loose ball offloaded to Kristi Kirshe for a try and 24 – 0 lead at the break.
Cheta Emba added an early try in the second half to push the lead to 3 –0.
Ireland got on the board with a Katie Fitzhenry try under the posts to cut the score to 31-7. The USA added tries from Kirshe and Heavirland to seal a 45-7 victory to move to 2 – 0.
Pool: USA vs Brazil
The USA Women’s Eagles Sevens opened their Tokyo 2020 Olympic season on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with a 27-0 win over Brazil.
After Cheta Emba forced a turnover at the breakdown, Nicole Heavirland finished with a try in the left corner. Ilona Maher powered over for the second try of the match to lead 10-0.
All-time cap leader Alev Kelter, playing in her 30th world series event, dotted down to lead 17-0 at the break.
Brazil controlled possession for the opening four minutes of the second half, however, the Eagles Sevens’ defence was stellar.
Heavirland then caused a turnover and Kristi Kirshe ran past the defenders for a try to lead 22-0. Jordan Matyas added another for a final of 27-0.
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