England Women’s Sevens victorious in Moscow
By Julia Hutton
June 9 2014
England Women Sevens were crowned champions of the first round of the FIRA/AER European Grand Prix with a hard fought 24-20 Cup Final victory over host side Russia.
England, who went into this tournament with a young side including three new caps, took the tournament victory – their first of the season – with an impressive squad effort that saw Russia come back into the game and challenge for honours in the closing stages. Saracens’ Leanne Riley opened England’s account before Sarah McKenna and Francesca Matthews ran in tries before the break. At half-time England led comfortably 17-0 but after the restart Russia came back into the game running in three tries to England’s one. England, however, clung on as Russia ran out of time to make the final score 24-20. England Women’s Sevens Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “I could not be more proud of the players today. We were going into the unknown this weekend with a young and inexperienced squad – I knew they were good players but we had to see them play on the front line as it were - and they have done a sublime job and exceeded all my expectations. "The Final was a tough match indeed, taking on Russia in their own backyard and although we made a great start Russia came back at us like we knew they could. However, the players showed they have matured heads on young shoulders and kept their composure to hang on it there. “Now we want to finish the job off in Brive next weekend and that is the next challenge. We will regroup this week and take that challenge head on.” England booked their place in the Cup Final after a 29-0 win over Ireland in the quarter-finals and then a 21-5 victory over the Netherlands in the semi-finals today. England will now head to Brive next weekend for the second and final round of the FIRA/AER Grand Prix Sevens. England Natasha Brennan (Richmond) Abigail Brown (Hartpury) Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond) C Hannah Field (Richmond) Sydney Gregson (Bristol) Sophie Lee (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) Francesca Matthews (Richmond) Sarah McKenna (Saracens) Leanne Riley (Saracens) Emily Scott (Thurrock) Joanne Watmore (Richmond) Amy Wilson-Hardy (Bristol) FIRA/AER Moscow Playing schedule: Saturday June 7 England 41 Belgium 0 Tries: Field (2), Wilson-Hardy, Matthews, Chamberlain, Scott, Brennan. Conversions: Scott (3) England 24 Portugal 7 Tries: Brennan (2), Scott, Riley Conversions: Scott (2) England 34 Ireland 5 Tries: Wilson-Hardy, Brennan (2), McKenna, Riley (2) Conversions: Scott, McKenna Sunday June Quarter-Finals: England 29 Ireland 0 Tries: Wilson-Hardy (2), Riley, Brennan, Brown Conversions: Scott (2) Semi-Final England 21 Netherlands 5 Wilson-Hardy (2), Riley Conversions: Scott (3) Final England 24 Russia 20 Tries: Riley (2), McKenna, Matthews, Conversions: Scott (2) |
