England Women secured a third place finish in round one of the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix in Kazan, Russia, today (Sunday), defeating Spain 12-7 in the play-off match.
Simon Middleton’s side headed into day two with an unbeaten record after wins over Germany, Wales and the Netherlands in the pool stages on Saturday. England then took on Ireland in a big quarter-final clash with Ireland still chasing an Olympic qualification spot. England were too strong for the Irish though, running in 17-14 winners thanks to tries from Sarah McKenna, Vicky Fleetwood and Alexandra Matthews.
England then faced France in the semi-finals, another side also looking to secure Olympic Sevens qualification through the two-leg Grand Prix. France, who finished sixth in the Sevens World Series this season, had the upper hand this time and inflicted a 34-7 win over England, with England’s only try coming from Fleetwood.
That loss pitted England against Spain in the third/fourth place play-off match and England bounced back to winning ways with a 12-7 victory thanks to scores from skipper Abigail Chamberlain and Emily Scott.
Head Coach Middleton said: “We are really pleased with a third place finish today. We have also learned a lot about these players. We came here with a squad who have never played sevens together before, and who have had very little training time together, and we defeated some good sides. France was a step too far though, but we were playing against a full World Series side. Overall, we are pleased with the result.”
England now travel to France for the second and final round of the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix on June 20-21.
England Sevens
Claire Allan (Richmond)
Francesca Matthews (Richmond)
Lydia Thompson (Worcester)
Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)
Rachael Burford (Thurrock)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens)
Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond) C
Abbie Brown (Bristol)
Leanne Riley (Saracens)
Emily Scott (Thurrock)
Heather Fisher (Thurrock)
Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)
Rugby Europe Kazan Playing Schedule:
Saturday June 13
England 40-7 Germany
Tries: Chamberlain, Scott, Fleetwood, F Matthews, Allan, Fisher
Conversions: Brown (5)
England 43 Wales 0
Tries: Fisher, Riley, Thompson (2), Fleetwood, F Matthews, Chamberlain
Conversions: McKenna (4)
England 26-5 Netherlands
Tries: A Matthews (3), Allan
Conversions: McKenna 3)
Sunday June 14
England 17-14 Ireland
Tries: McKenna, Fleetwood, A Matthews
Conversions: McKenna
England 7-34 France
Tries: Fleetwood
Conversions: Brown
England 12-7 Spain
Tries: Chamberlain, Scott
Conversions: McKenna
