Cup Final heartbreak for Canada Women in Dubai

Canada came oh-so-close to a famous Cup Final victory over New Zealand only to see the Black Ferns pull the game from the fire in the dying seconds of the match. The Canadians settle for second place, with the USA earning a third-place finish on Day Three of the Dubai Sevens.

The North American sides both made it through the Cup Quarter Finals with a Karen Paquin double leading Canada past France, and Kristi Kirshe adding two for the USA in a lop-sided win over Russia. Only one would pass the Semi Final test.

Up first was Canada and Australia, and it was the Maple Leafs who took the game to the defending Olympic champions. Ghislaine Landry scored 16 points including two tries in a captain’s effort. On the other side the Women’s Eagles were no match for the Black Ferns, falling convincingly with Nicole Heavirland scoring the only USA points with time up on the clock.

The Eagles regrouped in the Bronze Final and took a dominant win over Australia to earn valuable series points. Canada then took the field in the Cup Final and led 14-5 at halftime thanks to tries from Paquin and Julia Greenshields. It wasn’t to be, however, as New Zealand came back from the 14-5 deficit thanks to Gayle Broughton’s last-gasp try.

Brazil ended their tournament on a high with their first win of the new season. They were tied 7-all with Japan at halftime as Bianca Silva scored just two minutes after kickoff. Japan pulled ahead with an early second half score, but it was Silva the hero again for the Yaras with her second try tying the game, and Raquel Kochhann’s conversion sealing the win.

The USA are now level with New Zealand on points at the top of the Series Standings. Canada move up one from 5th to 4th and are just four points short of Australia. The circuit continues in Cape Town next weekend in another combined men’s and women’s event.

 

 

DAY THREE RESULTS

11th PLACE FINAL
Japan 12 – 14 Brazil

9th PLACE FINAL
England 26 – 21 Ireland

CUP QUARTER FINALS
Australia 21 – 0 Spain
France 7 – 19 Canada
Fiji 10 – 24 New Zealand
USA 28 – 7 Russia

CUP SEMI FINALS
Australia 12 – 26 Canada
New Zealand 24 – 7 USA

BRONZE FINAL
Australia 7 – 24 USA

CUP FINAL
Canada 14 – 17 New Zealand