Photo: Mike Lee, KLC Fotos
England Women Sevens are through to the Cup quarter-finals at the Kitakyushu Sevens where they will play Australia (3.14 am, live on WorldRugby.org) after victories over Ireland and Fiji saw them finish second in Pool C.
James Bailey’s side lost their first match of the day, defeated 43-7 by USA with Helena Rowland scoring their solitary try in the third minute when bursting through space in the middle of the pitch after a restart failed to go 10m.
USA opened the scoring through Kris Thomas and further tries from Alev Kelter (2), Cheta Emba, Joanne Fa’avesi and Naya Tapper sealed victory.
A 31-0 victory over Ireland followed with Alex Matthews crossing after initially winning a turnover, the ball was recycled back to her on the left wing and she was able to dot down.
Celia Quansah burst down the right wing for a second England score and after the break Holly Aitchison finished off Rowland’s run with a pass inside setting her free to cross.
England later recycled to Emma Uren on the left for a fourth try and a fine run from Lizzie Adam around the blindside with pace secured victory.
And their day ended with an impressive 35-15 win over Fiji.
Luisa Basei Tisolo burst through from halfway to open the scoring for Fiji before Uren scooped around the outside to go over on the right wing and Aitchison converted for the lead.
Amy Wilson Hardy went over under the posts for a second England try but Raijieli Daveua seared down the right wing to reduce the deficit to four points before the break.
Aitchison then spotted a gap to set up Megan Jones on the inside before Asinate Savu sped down the left flank to keep them in the game.
But late tries from Aitchison and Quansah sealed victory.
England captain Abbie Brown commented: “Our first game today didn’t go the way that we wanted it to but the resilience shown by everyone to move on and put in some great performances against Ireland and Fiji was brilliant. I’m really proud of the girls for that.
“We’re going to rest up now as we know that our quarter-final against Australia tomorrow will be a big one and we want to come out fighting for every inch.”
England’s results:
England 7-43 USA
Tries: Helena Rowland
England 31-0 Ireland
Tries: Alex Matthews, Celia Quansah, Holly Aitchison, Emma Uren, Lizzie Adam
England 35-15 Fiji
Emma Uren, Amy Wilson Hardy, Megan Jones, Holly Aitchison, Celia Quansah
England Women Sevens squad for Kitakyushu:
Lizzie Adam
Holly Aitchison
Abbie Brown ©
Abi Burton
Emma Hardy
Megan Jones
Ellie Kildunne
Alex Matthews
Celia Quansah
Helena Rowland
Emma Uren
Amy Wilson Hardy
Courtesy of the RFU
