Photo: Mike Lee / KLC fotos for World Rugby •
The USA Women’s 7s team picked up some momentum at the Sydney 7s, defeating England 22-14 to improve to 1-1 in pool play.
The first-half kickoff and restarts were influential. The USA sent Kristen Thomas and Cheta Emba after their own restarts, and they did a good job. The ball just took fortuitous bounces, one that resulted in an Abby Brown try off the kickoff, and a long breakaway (that ended up being harmless) from the second.
For England, both of Lauren Cattell’s restarts were called back to the 50 for the USA’s use, and the Eagles made good work of that gifted possession. Naya Tapper, who scored two tries in the opener, powered her way into England’s end, and the ball worked wide to Thomas on the sideline. It appeared that Joanne Watmore had her marked, but Thomas showcased her silky speed with a try into the corner, her 30th of her career, 7-5 England.
England took its biggest lead of the game, when an errant lineout throw made its way to Heather Fisher, who emphatically sat down Ryan Carlyle and Nicole Heavirland en route to the centered try. Cattell’s second conversion made it 14-5.
USA regrouped at the 50, when England’s second restart was unsuccessful, and a series of fast north-south drives saw repeat breaks from Alev Kelter and Heavirland. The final iteration saw Heavirland pick from the tackle and dive in for five, 14-10.
The first few minutes of the second half settled in England’s end. The Red Roses attempted to run the ball out, but Tapper did well to get in the passing lane and bat the ball to her teammates. Emba pushed deeper with a kick-through, which England fielded and nearly returned into open space – if it weren’t for a Watmore knock-on.
That kick-and-chase stuck with Kelter, and when the scrum ball moved to her, she sent it through for Tapper. The defense had it covered, but Tapper did a great job of disrupting the pickup, and the ball slipped loose right into Kelter’s hands. She returned it for the short-range try, and the USA led 15-14.
With less than two minutes on the clock, the spotlight returned to the restart. This time, the Eagles’ pressure in the air paid off, and the USA held onto their own ball. It moved wide to Tapper, who tore to the try line. Fisher took a palm to the face, but unfazed, brought the galloping wing down just meters shy. The USA remained composed and kept attacking, and Kelter finished the job, dragging two England defenders into their own try zone. Kelter added the team’s first conversion of the tournament for the 22-14 win.
Russia currently leads Pool C after defeating Spain 24-5 and will face England in the final round. The USA plays Spain at 10:54 p.m. Pacific.
USA 22
Tries: Kelter 2, Heavirland, Thomas
Cons: Kelter
England 14
Tries: Brown, Fisher
Cons: Cattell 2