England Women finished fourth in the opening round of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Dubai having lost 17-14 to Russia in the Bronze Final.
England came through the opening day to qualify for the Cup play offs but the side’s inexperience began to show, losing out to Olympic gold medallists and eventual tournament runners-up Australia in the semi-finals.
The newly-formed squad nonetheless showed plenty of promise, scoring 18 tries over the two days, including six from stand out performer Natasha Brennan.
Brennan scored the first of two England tries in their final game, but the Russian defence proved too strong, with England failing to break out of their own half. Russia took every chance they were given to score three times, including two from Elena Zdrokova.
Deborah Fleming closed her first World Series leg with a solo try, breaking through to run down the Russian defence in the closing stages.
The Australians proved why they are current World Series title holders in the semi final running out a 24-10 victory over England who scored once either side of half time.
Australia were able to captialise on novice errors from England with Charlotte Caslick, the world sevens player of the year, opening the scoring from a turnover ball.
England responded after working play across the pitch with captain Abbie Brown running in for five points.
However Australia quickly built momentum, scoring three times more, before Brennan finished the game with an England try having broken the Australian defence inside the England half.
Earlier, England sealed a dramatic 19-17 victory over Fiji, courtesy of Alice Richardson’s late conversion. Tries for England came from Heather Fisher and Jo Watmore (2).
A dominant first half performance by Fisher allowed England to get off to a good start, bursting through the defence after starting the passage of play with a quick offload out of the tackle.
Fiji then asserted themselves on the game and levelled the scores just before half time. Exploiting space on the outside, they added a second after the break before extending their lead further to 12 points.
Strong in the contact, England eventually created space for Watmore to break through and touch down under the posts. With Fiji giving away penalties, England showed composure to keep edging towards the try line until Watmore was able to get the all-important score.
Head coach Simon Middleton said: “We came here with realistic expectations and were aiming for a top six finish, given we have a group who are so new to the World Series. To come and get a fourth is very pleasing.
“The final game showed where we are at against the high level teams. We lacked a bit of forward momentum and the cutting edge you get from senior players. This group will learn and this has been a great experience for them.
“This is a young group and our more senior players have been outstanding in leading the squad. This gives us a great deal of confidence to go forward and grow.”
England finished day one second in Pool C having found just Canada too good.
Simon Middleton’s side were unable to see off the Olympic bronze medallists in the final pool contest, despite Jo Watmore touching down first for her fourth try of the day.
Brennan scored England’s only other try before the final whistle against Canada, who themselves put down four times for a final score of 24-12.
England started the day with two convincing wins, having overcome Brazil 28-7. The squad, which featured five new names to the World Series circuit, faced a strong Brazilian side but converted tries from Series newcomer Katie Mason and Watmore put England 14-7 ahead by half time.
Brazil were unable to respond in the second half, with Brennan running down the wing to stretch England’s lead before Amy Wilson Hardy capitalised on a Deborah Fleming interception.
Accurate kicking from Alice Richardson left the final score 28-7 to England.
Earlier Watmore scored her 50th World Series career try to get England off to a 31-7 victory over Spain.
Brennan opened the scoring following a smart break from Fran Matthews before Fisher broke through the Spanish defence to show her strength and pace with Watmore landing England’s third try before half time.
Watmore and Brennan both followed up in the second half, before a yellow card for Lauren Cattell opened the door for Spain who were able to land a converted try in the final seconds.
Bronze Final
England 14 – 17 Russia
Tries: Brennan, Fleming
Conversions: Richardson, Cattell
Semi Final
England 10 – 24 Australia
Tries: Brown, Brennan
Quarter Final
England 19 – 17 Fiji
Tries: Fisher, Richardson, Watmore
Conversions: Richardson, Watmore
Pool C
England 31 – 7 Spain
Tries: Brennan (2), Fisher, Watmore (2)
Conversions: Richardson (3)
England 28 – 7 Brazil
Tries: Mason, Watmore, Brennan, Wilson Hardy
Conversions: Richardson (4)
England 12 – 24 Canada
Tries: Watmore, Brennan
Conversion: Cattell
England Women Squad
Natasha Brennan, Abbie Brown (C), Lauren Cattell, Heather Fisher, Deborah Fleming, Katie Mason, Fran Matthews, Alice Richardson, Kelly Smith, Jo Watmore, Amy Wilson Hardy (VC), Millie Wood
Report courtesy of England Rugby
