England Women Sevens set up a Pool A decider with New Zealand after winning both games on day one at HSBC Sydney Sevens.
Inside the first couple of minutes in the first game against Russia, Deborah Fleming managed to beat two defenders and run in for her 50th try on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Megan Jones’ dummy bought her space to go over and her run then set up Alex Matthews with Helena Rowland’s three conversions making it 21-0 at the break as England dominated possession.
Matthews’ superb offload then set up Rowland before Jones acted as provider again, this time for captain Abbie Brown as England recorded a 33-0 win.
In their second game against Japan, it was the Asian side who took the lead when Mele Yua Havili Kagawa went over from close range.
England were level when Jones drew two defenders to send in Matthews and from the base of the ruck in the second half, Jones got another assist as her simple pass allowed Amy Wilson Hardy to go in out wide.
Rowland gathered a bouncing pass to dive in on the right wing before some smart footwork from Ellie Kildunne bought her the space to go over, and made it four tries without reply for England in a 26-5 victory.
Charlie Hayter’s side will now face current series leaders New Zealand in their final pool match which takes place on Saturday 1 February [22.51 GMT] which you can watch on Sky Sports Arena and Main Event.
Squad
Abbie Brown (C)
Abi Burton
Heather Fisher
Deborah Fleming
Sydney Gregson
Megan Jones
Ellie Kildunne
Alex Matthews
Jodie Ounsley
Helena Rowland
Beth Wilcock
Amy Wilson Hardy
Schedule
Pool A – England 33-0 Russia
Tries: Fleming ‘2, Jones ‘4, Matthews ‘6, Rowland ‘9, Brown ’13
Pool A – England 26-5 Japan
Tries: Matthews ‘7, Wilson Hardy ‘9, Rowland ’12, Kildunne ’16
Pool A – England v New Zealand [Sunday 2 February /Saturday 1 February – 09.51 local time/22.51 GMT]
All matches will be shown live on Sky Sports Arena and Main Event.
Courtesy of World Rugby
