England Women win first FIRA European Sevens leg in Brive

Defending European champions England Women took the first round of the European Sevens Series today (Sunday) in Brive with a 30-7 victory against Russia in the final.

Barry Maddocks’ side impressed in the final against a Russian outfit who have been one of the form teams in Sevens world rugby of late, last beating England in the World Series just last month.

But it was not to be Russia’s day this time around and England instead powered to a 30-7 victory thanks to two tries each for Joanne Watmore, Katherine Merchant and Michaela Staniford.

England booked their place in the final after a semi-final win over last year’s finalists Spain. Again, England were in dominant form running in 26-0 winners with Heather Fisher this time adding a brace. Staniford and Watmore were on the scoreboard once again and Emily Scarratt added three conversions.

England Sevens Head Coach Maddocks, whose side also defeated Germany, Wales, Portugal, the Netherlands and Russia in the pool stages, said: “We are very pleased with the way the first round has gone. Obviously we have got another leg to go but to get round one under our belts with a clean sheet and also beating Russia in the final is a good result and one that we are very pleased with.

“The squad have performed well this weekend but there is still lots to work on in the next month as the countdown continues to the Rugby World Cup.”

The final round of the European Sevens Series takes place on June 15-16 in Marbella just two weeks before the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow (June 28-30).

Day 2 Results

Final: England 30 Russia 7

Tries: Merchant (2), Watmore (2), Staniford (2)

Semi-final: England 26 Spain 0

Tries: Fisher (2), Staniford, Watmore

Conversions: Scarratt (3)

Pool Game: England 42 Wales 0

Tries: Allan (2), Merchant (2), Fisher, Scarratt, Matthews, Richardson

Conversions: McLean

 

Article source: http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Cheltenham-teenager-determined-push-make-England/story-19120987-detail/story.html

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England Women win first FIRA European Sevens leg in Brive