Eng Women Through to RWC7s 1/4 Finals in Dubai2009
By Kath
March 6 2009
England Women booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup Sevens today (Friday) with an impressive run of wins in the pools stages of the inaugural women's tournament in Dubai.
Captain Sue Day
England will now play Australia after defeating the USA 17-0, Russia 29-0
and Japan 47-0. France, the USA, New Zealand, Canada, Spain and South
Africa are also through to the final eight.
England Head Coach Simon Amor said: "We are very pleased with the way
today has gone. The performances we put in were the most important thing
over the actual score-lines. The players showed that they have made the
step-up in a very dangerous pool.
"It's especially pleasing not to have conceded a single point. We
have worked very hard on our defence and that certainly showed. Now it's a
matter of getting our recovery right tonight and resting up for a big day
tomorrow.
"Australia in the quarter-finals will be an interesting game. We know
little about them, but they come here with a very good reputation in touch
rugby. They look like a physical team also, so it will no doubt be a
competitive game."
England captain Sue Day led by example in the fist two games, scoring a
brace of tries and opening England's score-sheet after just 50 seconds in
England's opener against the USA. Saracens' Claire Allan also touched down
against the USA, with Richmond's Alice Richardson adding one conversion.
In England's match against Russia, England powered to the win, and again
stopped their opponents from crossing their line. This time Saracens'
Charlotte Barras opened with an early try before Day and Michaela
Staniford added tries before half-time. Barras then added her second after
the restart with Richardson also touching down. Burford and Richardson
also added a conversion each.
In England's final game of the day, they stepped up again inflicting an
impressive 47-0 defeat on Japan. Kat Merchant and Danielle Waterman (2)
all touched down in the first-half, with Burford, Staniford, Maggie
Alphonsi and Barras then adding a further four tries. Burford and
Richardson were also consistent with the boot adding six conversions
between them.
Sue Day Wasps Captain
Maggie Alphonsi Saracens
Heather Fisher Wasps
Emma Layland Richmond
Charlotte Barras Saracens
Jo Yapp Worcester
Danielle Waterman Blaydon Team Northumbria
Alice Richardson Richmond
Rachael Burford Saracens
Claire Allan Saracens
Michaela Staniford Wasps
Katherine Merchant Worcester
England 17 USA 0
Day, Fisher, Alphonsi, Yapp, Richardson, Allan, Merchant
Tries: Day (2), Allan
Conversions: Richardson
Substitutions: Staniford for Merchant (HT), Waterman for Yapp (9)
England 29 Russia 0
Day, Layland, Barras, Waterman, Burford, Allan, Staniford
Tries: Barras, Day, Staniford, Barras, Richardson.
Conversions: Burford, Richardson
Substitutions: Fisher for Day, Merchant for Staniford (both HT),
Richardson for Burford (9)
England 47 Japan 0
Alphonsi, Layland, Fisher, Waterman, Burford, Allan, Merchant
Tries: Merchant, Waterman (2), Burford, Staniford, Alphonsi, Barras
Conversions: Burford (4), Richardson (2)
Substitutions: Barras for Fisher, Richardson for Allan, Staniford for
Merchant
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England Women's world cup dreams were shattered by Australia in the quarter-finals of the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens on Saturday in Dubai.
The team, who were ranked number one for the tournament, were overcome by an on-fire Australian outfit who tested England to the limits from the first whistle to the last.
England, coached by Simon Amor and Mike Friday, will now contest the Plate final against Canada this evening.
England Head Coach Amor said: "We are of course very disappointed to have lost in the quarter-finals. We came here to win, and the players have worked so hard towards that aim.
"Australia though were a very physical side, and took their chances. On this occasion we didn't get the result we wanted, but that's sevens rugby."
England were without Jo Yapp for their quarterfinal clash after she picked up an injury during the pool stages, and Amor admits she was a vital loss.
He added: "Jo is an integral part of this squad, and any team would be delighted to have her in their side. She was missed but she is just one member of a very talented squad."
Amor and Friday teamed up with the England Sevens squad last year to spearhead their world cup assault after both having illustrious careers with the England men's team.
"This has been a wonderful experience," added Amor. "The girls have been a delight to work with, and really let us push them to their limits. I now hope that this journey, for all the women's teams involved, will be the start of something very big for them."
The Red Roses had in fact taken the advantage early on in the midday Dubai sun, when a great break from Worcester's Katherine Merchant saw Saracens' Claire Allan pick-up in support and charge 40 metres up-field and score. Alice Richardson couldn't make the conversion though.
On six minutes the Australians bounced back on the score-sheet with Tobie McGann adding five vital points for them just before the break.
England, however, did enough to take the lead at half-time with captain Sue Day securing her fourth try of the tournament. The touchdown came in extra time as England kept battering Australia's line. A well executed pass from Danielle Waterman then set Day loose on the right wing to score.
Australia, who were ranked second for the tournament, again showed their determination and came back at England to draw level after nine minutes with a try from Nicole Beck, before Rebecca Tavo added the Wallabies' third. That last try was converted and Australia sealed the 17-10 victory.
England Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens Squad
Sue Day Wasps Captain
Maggie Alphonsi Saracens
Heather Fisher Wasps
Emma Layland Richmond
Charlotte Barras Saracens
Jo Yapp Worcester
Danielle Waterman Blaydon Team Northumbria
Alice Richardson Richmond
Rachael Burford Saracens
Claire Allan Saracens
Michaela Staniford Wasps
Katherine Merchant Worcester
England Australia - semi-finals
Starting line-up: Day, Fisher, Alphonsi, Waterman, Richardson, Allan, Merchant.
Tries: Allan, Day
Conversions:
Substitutions: Staniford for Merchant, Burford for Richardson (both HT)