England roar back to take Langford title

England recovered from a first day loss to Canada to rebound in style on Day Two of the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series event in Langford on Sunday. USA, Australia, and New Zealand were dispatched in succession as captain Emily Scarratt raised the Cup for the first time this season. In doing so England end Australia’s three-tournament win streak and jump over Canada into 3rd place on the overall standings, four behind 2nd place New Zealand.

The hosts finished the tournament as Plate Champions with a 5-1 record but suffered a heartbreaking last second defeat to France in the Cup quarter final. Up 12-0 after the first half, Canada could not maintain possession in the second and Jessy Trémoulière eventually crossed on full time to level the scores. They could only watch as Shannon Izar’s conversion sailed over the bar to knock Canada out of Cup contention.

USA struggled to impose themselves on Day Two, suffering a heavy defeat to England before losing to Spain for the second time in two days. A win over Russia to end in 7th place helps gain ground but they remain in 7th overall, two points behind the Russians and a dozen behind 5th place France.

Tries from Edna Santini and Julia Sarda pushed Brazil past Ireland and into the Bowl final, but that’s where their winning would end. Seven points from Raquel Kochhann wasn’t nearly enough as Fiji took the Bowl title convincingly 24-7.

The Series now takes a six week break before the final stop on the season in Clermont, France. A final qualification tournament for the Olympics will take place on June 26 in Dublin, Ireland.

DAY TWO RESULTS

CUP QUARTER FINALS
Australia 28 – 0 Spain
New Zealand 43 – 0 Russia
Canada 12 – 14 France
USA 7 – 29 England

BOWL SEMI FINALS
Ireland 5 – 10 Brazil
Fiji 33 – 10 Japan

PLATE SEMI FINALS
Spain 14 – 12 USA
Russia 0 – 27 Canada

CUP SEMI FINALS
Australia 5 – 15 England
New Zealand 12 – 7 France

11th PLACE
Ireland 12 – 5 Japan

BOWL FINAL
Brazil 7 – 24 Fiji

7th PLACE
USA 15 – 10 Russia

PLATE FINAL
Spain 5 – 21 Canada

BRONZE FINAL
Australia 19 – 12 France

CUP FINAL
England 31 – 14 New Zealand