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Canada and the USA are both into the Cup quarter finals after mixed results on Day One of the final HSBC Women’s Sevens Series event in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Overall table toppers Australia were in fine form, coming through undefeated along with New Zealand and England to move through to Day Two with favorites tags once again.
The Canadians had a shaky start against Japan, level with three tries apiece but pulling away by virtue of three successful conversions to win 21-15. A better match against Russia saw them pull away 29-12, though the win came with a significant cost as captain Jen Kish was lost for the remainder of the tournament with injury. A battle against New Zealand came right down to the wire with a try to Magali Harvey and two from Britt Benn putting them right in the hunt, but the conversion on full-time drifted just wide in the 19-17 defeat.
It was a different story for Richie Walker’s Women’s Eagles, who were outmatched by England in the first game, dropping by a convincing 26-7 score. Lilly Durbin notched her first HSBC Series try against Spain, but the 17-year-old’s joy was muted by a disappointing 12-10 loss to the Iberians. The team rebounded with a 31-0 pasting of Kenya, with the points just enough to see them squeak through into the Cup semis on differential.
Day Two will see the USA re-matched with England in the first Cup quarter-final, while Canada will play Fiji in the last quarter-final. All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.
DAY ONE FIXTURES
POOL A
England 26 – 7 USA
Spain 37 – 5 Kenya
England 22 – 0 Kenya
Spain 12 – 10 USA
England 26 – 7 Spain
USA 31 – 0 Kenya
POOL B
New Zealand 32 – 0 Russia
Canada 21 – 15 Japan
New Zealand 40 – 0 Japan
Canada 29 – 12 Russia
New Zealand 19 – 17 Canada
Russia 19 – 17 Japan
POOL C
Australia 34 – 0 Fiji
France 40 – 0 Ireland
Australia 40 – 5 Ireland
France 10 – 14 Fiji
Australia 19 – 12 France
Fiji 19 – 14 Ireland
DAY TWO FIXTURES
May 29 – 06:20 ET – CUP QF – England vs USA
May 29 – 06:42 ET – CUP QF – New Zealand v France
May 29 – 07:04 ET – CUP QF – Australia v Spain
May 29 – 07:26 ET – CUP QF – Canada v Fiji
May 29 – 07:48 ET – BOWL QF – Russia v Kenya
May 29 – 08:10 ET – BOWL QF – Japan v Ireland
