Americas out of Hong Kong Women’s Qualifiers

All three Americas sides are out after Day One of the HSBC Women’s Qualifiers at the Hong Kong 7s. Jamaica, Argentina, and Colombia combined for just one win out of nine matches and consequently none of the trio will take part on Day Two. Japan have emerged as early favorites to achieve core status on the 2017-18 HSBC Sevens Series after emerging as the only undefeated team heading into the Quarter Finals.

Jamaica had a rough start to the day with comprehensive defeats coming at the hands of Japan and China. The Lady Crocs managed to find some form in their last match of the day against the Netherlands, scoring their first and only try via 18-year-old Dae-Marie Whyte and conversion by Crystal Groves. While their tournament is now over the youthful look to the side bodes well for the future. The team was bolstered by eligible players from Canada and the UK, with Canadian sevens legend Phil Mack adding his expertise as a coaching consultant in the build-up.

South American hopefuls Argentina will be disappointed with their showing after stumbling to a 26-0 loss against Belgium in their opening match. A 17-7 win over Hong Kong lifted their spirits in the second round with two tries coming from Valeria Montero and one from Maria Pedrozo, with Sofía González adding one conversion. Their weekend came to an end with a 17-7 loss to Kenya in their final pool meeting. Mayra Genghini was the try-scorer with González adding the extras.

Colombia’s fate was similar to that of Jamaica, with no wins from three attempts. Despite a significant gap in experience the team held Papua New Guinea to only 19 points in the opening match, though they could not find a score themselves. A solid effort against Italy ended in a 17-5 scoreline with the try going to the youngest player in the tournament in 16-year-old Carmen Ibarra. South Africa were their final opposition and proved too much, with the final score 33-0.

All matches are streamed live on the World Rugby Facebook page.

 

DAY ONE RESULTS

POOL A
China 19 – 21 Netherlands
Japan 54 – 0 Jamaica
China 68 – 0 Jamaica
Japan 22 – 5 Netherlands
Netherlands 22 – 7 Jamaica
Japan 21 – 14 China

POOL B
Kenya 24 – 21 Hong Kong
Argentina 0 – 26 Belgium
Kenya 5 – 7 Belgium
Argentina 17 – 7 Hong Kong
Hong Kong 15 – 10 Belgium
Argentina 7 – 17 Kenya

POOL C
Colombia 0 – 19 Papua New Guinea
South Africa 5 – 15 Italy
Colombia 5 – 17 Italy
South Africa 24 – 7 Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea 12 – 5 Italy
South Africa 33 – 0 Colombia

 

DAY TWO FIXTURES

Apr 6 – 21:22 ET – QF – South Africa vs Papua New Guinea
Apr 6 – 21:44 ET – QF – Belgium vs Netherlands
Apr 6 – 22:06 ET – QF – Italy vs Kenya
Apr 6 – 22:28 ET – QF – Japan vs China