Canada Women's Sevens Cup slips away from Eagles in Quarterfinal
VICTORIA, British Columbia – France proved the hungrier team in the Canada Women’s Sevens Cup Quarterfinal Sunday, shutting out the Women’s Eagles Sevens, 17-10.
The Eagles struggled to break midfield across the 14 minutes at Westhills Stadium and failed to capitalize on the opportunity to break into the top four in the 2014-15 World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series standings. Ric Suggitt’s squad will play Australia in the Plate Semifinal at 4:06 p.m. ET.
France kicked off the match with a booming restart to pin the Eagles deep in their own half. France’s defense smothered the Eagles, keeping the U.S. from getting quick ball in the breakdown. France then drew a penalty and immediately scored through Christelle Le Duff to take a 5-0 lead.
Another deep kick doomed the Eagles, who were undone by penalties, errors, and the France defense. Turnovers on defense were short-lived, as well, and the entire first half was spent inside the Eagles’ half. Following a turnover in the final minute of the half, the Eagles gave up the ball and were caught out of position. Fanny Horta and Camille Grassineau both waited on the wing for a pass, and Horta did not need to use her teammate to score.
Suggitt calmed his charges at halftime, knowing a 10-0 deficit could be overcome quickly as long as the game plan was followed. France kept up the intensity, however, and did not allow the Eagles to threaten the try line in the final seven minutes.
The Eagles did well to keep France off of the scoreboard in the second half to give themselves a chance at a comeback, but more penalties and turnovers on offense stalled any attack. Jennifer Troncy padded the score to 17-0 in the final minute of the half to give her side the Cup Quarterfinal victory.
The U.S. will have to wait another tournament to break into the top four, as France’s win means Les Blues will distance themselves from the Eagles in the Series standings. The Eagles can gain a maximum 12 points from Canada Women’s Sevens should they win the Plate. The Plate Semifinal matchup between the U.S. and Australia will be broadcast on World Rugby’s website at 4:06 p.m. ET.
Women’s Eagles Sevens | v. France
1. Kathryn Johnson
2. Kelly Griffin
3. Megan Bonny
4. Alev Kelter
5. Akalaini Baravilala
6. Lauren Doyle
7. Victoria Folayan
8. Joanne Fa’avesi
9. Irene Gardner
10. Melissa Fowler
11. Kate Zackary
12. Kristen Thomas
France | v. USA
1. Laurianne Lissar
2. Chloe Pelle
3. Marjorie Mayans
4. Pauline Biscarat
5. Christelle Le Duff
6. Fanny Horta
7. Caroline Ladagnous
8. Camille Grassineau
9. Jennifer Troncy
10. Elodie Guiglion
11. Shannon Izar
12. Lina Guerin
Women’s Eagles Sevens | 0
Tries: N/A
Conversions: N/A
France | 17
Tries: Le Duff, Horta, Troncy
Conversions: Biscarat
Women’s Eagles Sevens | Canada Women’s Sevens
v. South Africa – W 40-5
v. Russia – W 17-14
v. Canada – L 19-15
Cup Quarterfinal v France – L 17-0
Plate Semifinal v Australia – Sunday, April 19 – 4:06 p.m. ET
