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The USA got their 2019-2020 World Sevens Series campaign off to the best possible start as they claimed victory at the Glendale Sevens. While they made it look easy in their Cup Final victory over Australia, it was anything but along the way as they needed two dramatic wins in the Quarter and Semi Finals just to make it to the big game.
In fact their opening day did not go entirely to play either. Big wins over Brazil and Ireland got things started in the right direction but they hit a speed-bump in their final pool match against France, losing 24-14 after conceding three tries in the second half.
A last-gasp try for Cheta Emba, her second of the game, won a famous victory over Canada in the Cup Quarter Final. The Canadians looked poised to advance thanks to a Karen Paquin try just before that. In the Semi Final the USA just held on to beat New Zealand with back-to-back scores from Kristi Kirshe and Alev Kelter sealing the win.
The Cup Final was a surprisingly one-sided match with the USA dominating possession. It was all square at halftime but the Women’s Eagles pulled away in the second half with Ilona Maher scoring first followed by two tries for Nicole Heavirland.
Having claimed the title in Biarritz to end last season, the Eagles have now won back-to-back Sevens Series titles for the first time in their history. They take pole position to start the season with the race to Olympic glory now officially underway.
After being knocked out in the Quarter Finals, Canada were disappointed to finish in 5th place. They had drawn with Australia in the pool stage and then beaten Ireland in the 5th Place Semi Final, but fell short against Spain after failing to score any points after Ghislaine Landry’s second-minute try.
Brazil finished their tournament with no wins from four matches after falling to USA, France, and Ireland in decisive fashion on the opening day. They faltered in the second half of the 9th Place Semi Final against England after two tries from Thalia Costa on either side of halftime.
The Series now takes a two-month intermission before resuming in Dubai on December 5.
DAY ONE RESULTS
POOL A
England 22 – 38 Russia
New Zealand 40 – 7 Japan
England 21 – 14 Japan
New Zealand 40 – 12 Russia
Russia 29 – 0 Japan
New Zealand 36 – 0 England
POOL B
France 28 – 7 Ireland
USA 27 – 0 Brazil
France 38 – 5 Brazil
USA 45 – 7 Ireland
Ireland 28 – 7 Brazil
USA 14 – 24 France
POOL C
Australia 31 – 5 Spain
Canada 31 – 7 Fiji
Australia 35 – 7 Fiji
Canada 19 – 14 Spain
Spain 29 – 21 Fiji
Canada 26 – 26 Australia
DAY TWO RESULTS
CUP QUARTER FINALS
France 26 – 7 Spain
Australia 38 – 0 Russia
USA 29 – 26 Canada
New Zealand 36 – 10 Ireland
9th PLACE SEMI FINALS
England 34 – 14 Brazil
Fiji 19 – 21 Japan
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Spain 24 – 19 Russia
Canada 40 – 14 Ireland
CUP SEMI FINALS
France 0 – 40 Australia
USA 19 – 17 New Zealand
9th PLACE FINAL
England 36 – 14 Japan
5th PLACE FINAL
Spain 12 – 7 Canada
BRONZE FINAL
France 14 – 31 New Zealand
CUP FINAL
Australia 7 – 26 USA
