Chile fall in Semi Finals, Ireland claim Core Status

Chile’s dream of HSBC Sevens Series Core qualification ended as they fell to Hong Kong in a tense Semi Final by 7-5. Francisco Urroz put the Cóndores ahead with an early try but home town favorite Kam Shing Yiu replied with Russell Webb’s conversion proving the difference.

Ireland’s outstanding duo of Jordan Conroy and captain Billy Dardis propelled the men in green to victory over Germany in the other Semi Final. Tim Lichtenberg had nudged the Germans ahead in the 10th minute but late tries from Conroy, his second, and Dardis sealed the win.

There would be no denying Ireland in the Final. Harry McNulty, Greg O’Shea, and Conroy touched down before Hong Kong would get their only try via Tom McQueen. It was too little, too late, as Terry Kennedy put the icing on the cake in the dominant 28-7 result.

It’s the first time Ireland have qualified for Core Status after revitalising the sevens program just two years ago. They will replace the lowest-ranked Core team at the end of the current season. Wales, Japan, and Kenya are all within three points of each other in the fight to stay alive.

 

 

POOL STAGE RESULTS

POOL E
Tonga 29 – 12 Zimbabwe
Hong Kong 33 – 17 Philippines
Tonga 36 – 17 Philippines
Hong Kong 14 – 7 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe 12 – 24 Philippines
Hong Kong 19 – 12 Tonga

POOL F
Russia 26 – Uruguay
Ireland 26 – 0 Jamaica
Russia 26 – 10 Jamaica
Ireland 26 – 26 Uruguay
Uruguay 38 – 12 Jamaica
Ireland 33 – 7 Russia

POOL G
Germany 19 – 12 Uganda
Chile 31 – 5 Cook Islands
Germany 10 – 7 Cook Islands
Chile 33 – 7 Uganda
Uganda 29 – 24 Cook Islands
Chile 7 – 19 Germany

 

KNOCKOUT RESULTS

QUARTER FINALS
Germany 12 – 7 Uruguay
Ireland 47 – 0 Russia
Chile 15 – 12 Tonga
Hong Kong 17 – 7 Philippines

SEMI FINALS
Germany 10 – 19 Ireland
Chile 5 – 7 Hong Kong

FINAL
Ireland 28 – 7 Hong Kong