Durbin (c), Canett, Bargell, Makaafi, Manoa, A’au, Stowers, Sedrick, Toliver, Riekena, Gearhart, Gonzalez /// Photo: Rugby Europe •
The Girls High School All-Americans (GHSAAs) ended their European Women’s U18 7s Championship campaign with 24 unanswered points; however, the second-half response wasn’t enough to overcome France in the final. The hosts raised the 7s trophy with a 34-24 win, while the USA finished 5-1, outscoring opponents 181-68.
During the semifinals, the Americans experienced their first double-digit deficit of the tournament, and the team proved that it could rally as it beat Canada 19-17 at the buzzer. That resiliency showed itself in the second half of the final against France, but ultimately overcoming 34 first-half points was too big an ask.
The opening kickoff didn’t go 10 meters – a shortcoming that hurt the GHSAAs all tournament. France tapped through the 50, pushed off a defender and opened the scoring in the corner. As the 10-minute half progressed, France proved to be a very opportunistic side that took advantage of any error. Tries originated from an overthrown lineout, a poach from a slowly supported line-break, and a yellow card.
France made its mistakes – more so in the second half – but was also able to retake possession by hustling to the breakdown, and scored a try from a stolen scrum. With all of this first-half momentum, France ran hard and confidently with the ball in hand, and the USA struggled to retain possession.
Thirty-four points is a humbling deficit, but the GHSAAs impressed in their final 10 minutes. Sui A’au scored right off the kickoff, and that was a lift. Captain Lilly Durbin made a very good tackle from sweeper into touch – a reinforcing display of force.
The USA also needed to get the ball into second-half sub Nia Toliver’s hands, and Durbin attempted as much with a cross-field kick that trickled into touch. Shortly afterward, flyhalf Kayla Canett split the defense for another long break, and the team continued to scramble toward the tryline through Kat Stowers and Lolo Makaafi. Then the ball shifted wide and Toliver crossed for five. Stowers added a good conversion, 34-12, with three minutes remaining.
The restart didn’t go 10, but the USA got the ball back after a France knock-on. A simple hands-out put Toliver, who had plenty of gas, down the sideline for a corner try, 34-19. With a minute remaining, France was penalized in the ruck, and the ball moved to Toliver again for another powerful sprint into the try zone, 34-24 the final.
The appearance marked the GHSAAs’ first overseas tour, and the team overcame Germany, Ireland, Russia, Wales and Canada to advance to the final. Although the Americans fell short of first place, they represented the USA youth very well, and the lasting impression is one of excitement for the future, and pride in the fight.
Canada beat Spain 26-7 for third place. Click here for full results.
Girls High School All-Americans
Sui A’au
Cassidy Bargell
Kayla Canett
Lilly Durbin (c)
Kathleen Gearhart
Renee Gonzalez
Lolo Makaafi
Daisy Manoa
Julia Riekena
Alex Sedrick
Kat Stowers
Nia Toliver
European U18 7s Championship
Final: France 34-24 USA
Cup SF: USA 19-17 Canada
Cup QF: USA 36-7 Wales
Pool: USA 40-0 Russia
Pool: USA 33-5 Ireland
Pool: 29-5 Germany
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