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A try in extra time saw Brazil’s women make history in Sydney, defeating England by 17-12. The stunning upset was part of a pulsating second day of action at the HSBC Sevens Series event. With the win Brazil raised the Challenge Trophy, their first piece of hardware since lifting the Bowl at Dubai in December 2014. It marked a complete turnaround of fortune after a disappointing Day One for the Brazilians.
Their road to infamy began with a 10-7 win over Spain. Tries by Cláudia Teles and Edna Santini put them two scores up, and a late reply from Patricia García was not enough to stop Brazil from claiming their first win of the 2016-17 season.
Moving on to the Trophy final they met England, who had pushed past a dangerous Papua New Guinea side in their first match of the day. The favorites struck first with a converted try by Abigail Brown pushing them ahead, but Santini replied soon after to keep Brazil in range. Rachael Woosey raced over just before the break to give England a 12-5 lead.
Time looked to be running out with no scores in the second half but a last gasp try by Luiza Campos gave Brazil a chance to stay in the game. Isadora Cerullo’s conversion was accurate and with the scores level on full time the teams were headed to a sudden-death extra period. It was Teles who would be the hero for Brazil, sliding over just a minute in as the England players looked on in stunned silence.
