Clermont attracts big crowd for WSWS
The FFR got just about everything right for their first round of the Women’s Sevens World Series – the right stadium, a great – and very vocal - crowd, and perfect weather. What more do you want?
Published by John Birch, May 28th, 2016
3 minute read
Well, the play was pretty good as well on Day 1.
If Japan could kick as well as the Canadians there could have been a shock in the first round as Asia’s top team showed how they had learnt from the series so far, and training sessions against men’s teams, coming back from three tries to one down in the first half to score two tries in the second half – the first despite being a player down – and only lose out in the end 21-15 because Canada got their kicks and Japan didn’t.
Elsewhere no great surprises but we did see Kenya’s first game at this level, including a popular (with the crowd) try from Janet Okelo. As their coach acknowledged, they have ability – they need more self-belief. Australia put in an exhibition, especially in the first half, against Fiji – and then the crowd rocked the stadium as the home team were lifted to a 40-0 win against Ireland.
Canada looked again a little reserved, but did enough against Russia to win again – and make the last eight. They were rapidly joined by New Zealand, England and Australia. Spain won a quarter-final decider against the USA from almost the final play before Fiji shocked the now big and seriously noisy crowd by beating the home team 14-10.
So that was five teams in the last eight – with Fiji almost certain to join them, especially if they beat Ireland. The final two places would come down to France, Russia, Japan and the United States.
In the final round there were some near surprises, but in the end Canada could not quite hold on against New Zealand, England came from being briefly behind to beat Spain and Fiji came late to beat Ireland. Russia just held on against a great Japanese come back.
So the quarter finals for Day 2 were in the end:
Results:New Zealand 32 - 0 Russia ; Canada 21 - 15 Japan ; England 26 - 7 Usa ; Spain 37 - 5 Kenya ; Australia 34 - 0 Fiji ; France 40 - 0 Ireland ; New Zealand 40 - 0 Japan ; Canada 29 - 12 Russia ; England 22 - 0 Kenya ; Spain 12 - 10 Usa ; Australia 40 - 5 Ireland ; France 10 - 14 Fiji ; New Zealand 19 - 17 Canada ; Russia 19 - 17 Japan ; England 26 - 7 Spain ; Usa 31 - 0 Kenya ; Australia 19 - 12 France ; Fiji 19 - 14 Ireland