England Women 7s Crowned Champions in USA


By Kath
February 15 2009

England Women were crowned champions of the San Diego Sevens on Saturday after a thrilling final, which saw England battle their way to a 17-12 victory in sudden death at Petco Park.

 

England Women 7s - Crowned Champions

Heather Fisher scores winning try
Heather Fisher scores winning try


England Women were crowned champions of the San Diego Sevens on Saturday after a thrilling final, which saw England battle their way to a 17-12 victory in sudden death at Petco Park.

England and the US, playing in front of a packed arena, were drawn 12-12 at full-time, but Wasps' Heather Fisher provided the magic for England straight after the restart with a sensational charge down the right wing to score the crucial try.

England now head to Dubai next month for the inaugural IRB Women's Rugby World Cup with victories in the London, Amsterdam, Dubai, European, San Diego Sevens and the Home Nations Cup under their belts.



England Head Coach Simon Amor said: "This was a really tough tournament. We've played some very competitive pool games, and then the USA again in the final today, and it has challenged us. Saying that it's been perfect preparations for the World Cup and we are delighted to have had this opportunity.

"The squad have achieved a lot in the last 12 months, and winning in the final minute of this game is nothing new to us. It's happened three times now, so we have shown we know what we have to do to win games."



England are tagged as one of the favourites for next month's World Cup, but Amor is putting thoughts of a gold medal to the back of his mind.

He added: "I've been part of sevens rugby for a long time and I know the favourite tag doesn't mean much. What's important is to keep making strides forward and if we do that I know we'll be in a good position next month."

England went behind in the first minute of the game when the US responded to the phenomenal home reception at Petco Park with a converted try by Amy Daniels in the first minute.  The tourists replied to the USA's early pressure with Worcester's Katherine Merchant making a great break. With Rachael Burford in support she executed an excellent off-load to Danielle Waterman, who touched down with ease.

On form Merchant then claimed her seventh try of the tournament within six minutes with another great break, this time down the right wing, thanks to some good work by Burford and Waterman. With Burford adding the conversion England went into the break leading 12-7.

The USA came back after the restart firing on all cylinders and with four minutes gone England were penalised close to their line for holding on. The home side took a quick penalty and Chrisy Ringgenberg crossed for the US.    America couldn't convert though and that left the score at 12-12 at full-time, until Fisher, who also competes in bobsleigh for Great Britain, took her chance in sudden death. With just 20 seconds of extra time played, she powered down the right wing straight after the restart to score the winning try.

England San Diego 7s Squad:

Katherine Merchant Worcester
Heather Fisher Wasps
Michaela Staniford Wasps
Jo Yapp Worcester
Rachael Burford Saracens
Charlotte Barras Saracens
Claire Allan Saracens
Sarah Beale Lichfield
Emma Layland Richmond
Danielle Waterman Blaydon Team Northumbria
Maggie Alphonsi Saracens
Sue Day Wasps Captain

San Diego Sevens results:

Final
England 17 v USA 12
Tries: Waterman, Merchant, Fisher
Conversions: Burford
Squad: Day (C), Fisher, Barras, Yapp, Burford, Waterman, Merchant
Substitutions: Staniford for Merchant, Layland for Day (both HT), Beale for Burford (14).

England 29 v Canada 0 (semi-final)
Tries: Merchant (41secs & 2mins), Fisher (4), Staniford (12), Yapp (14).
Conversions: Burford (2)
Squad: Day, Fisher, Barras, Yapp, Burford, Allan, Merchant.
Substitutions: Staniford for Merchant (HT), Beale for Barras (HT), Layland for Fisher (8).

Pool stages (Friday):
England 36 v Japan 0
Tries: Day (36 secs), Staniford (4mins), Waterman (6mins), Merchant (8 and 11 mins), Allan (12)
Conversions: Burford 3
Squad: Waterman, Beale, Burford, Day, Layland, Staniford, Yapp
Substitutions: Fisher for Layland (HT), Allan for Yapp (HT), Merchant for Staniford (HT),

England 15 v USA (2) 7
Tries: Merchant (1min), Barras (3mins), Beale (8mins)
Squad: Fisher, Layland, Beale, Yapp, Barras, Allan, Merchant
Substitutions: Burford for Barras (HT), Staniford for Merchant (HT), Waterman for Yapp (10 mins)

England 19 USA 0
Tries: Day (3 & 13 mins), Merchant (9)
Conversions: Burford (2)
Squad: Day, Layland, Barras, Burford, Yapp, Waterman, Staniford.
Substitutions: Fisher for Layland (HT), Merchant for Staniford (8), Allan for Waterman (10).

England Women 7s Crowned Champions in USA
Posted by: Unofficial England Rugby Union (IP Logged)
Date: 15/02/2009 06:11

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England Women players' reaction to winning San Diego Sevens
Posted by: England Women Rugby (IP Logged)
Date: 15/02/2009 06:31

England Women players' reaction to winning San Diego Sevens

England 17 USA 12



England Captain Sue Day said: "We left it late to win the game, but in the end we came good. We knew we had the fitness to keep going, so we just had to keeping working and hope that we got that winning try.

"It's been a demanding tournament, and we have played some tough pool games against Japan and the USA. Today there was the pressure to perform but we did it in a wonderful stadium with a great atmosphere. Next up is Dubai and we are really looking forward to going there and hopefully keep this winning run going."






Wasps' Heather Fisher, who scored England's winning try in sudden death, said: "I am so happy. I saw the US defender coming and I just knew I had to get past her, and if I did I was in.

"We weren't worried about playing in extra time because we know we are a fit side and we handled it well. In my mind, there was never any doubt that we wouldn't win.

"The USA were very physical and aggressive in the breakdown. That didn't surprise us and we showed composure."






Saracens' Charlotte Barras said: "I'm ecstatic. San Diego has been an amazing tournament and we are just very happy that we have won. We handled playing in extra time well. We knew we were the fitter side so we weren't rattled. We have definitely got areas to work on but we know we can improve."



http://www.matchdaychat.com/ezines/images/22630.jpg
Worcester's Katherine Merchant

Worcester's Katherine Merchant said: "It's really amazing to have won. It was a tough game, and the USA were raring to go in front of their home crowd.

"For me personally, I've really enjoyed the tournament and scored a lot of tries. The tries are for everyone though as it's because I can get good clean ball that I'm able to score the tries. It's a real team effort."






Blaydon Team Northumbria's Danielle Waterman said: "This has been a great week. We have progressed step by step and we are really pleased to have come away with a win.

"Playing at Petco Park has been a wonderful chance to showcase our game in front of a packed crowd. It didn't worry us, and as soon as we were on the pitch, we played a natural game for us.

"We were very confident in extra time. We knew we had the fitness so it was just a matter of putting it all together. It was then awesome to see my room mate score the winning try."

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