Toliver has scored four tries in Spain so far. / Photo: Alex Ho, hoiho.net
The USA improved to 2-0 at the Madrid 7s and did so with a 29-7 win over Kenya. The Eagles will now face host Spain at 7:56 a.m. EST in the final match of the day.
The game started well, as the opening kickoff stayed with the USA and moved to Nia Toliver on the sideline. A hand-off later and the wing was in the try zone for a third try this tournament. The Eagles followed with a defense-produced score. Sustained pressure pushed Kenya back to its 10 meter, and then Kristi Kirshe caught a ballcarrier behind the gain line. Lauren Doyle was perfectly positioned to get over the tackle, poach the ball and sprint into the try zone, 10-0.
A truly beautiful team try ended the half. The ball began on one sideline and worked to space through over-the-head passes, connections through contact, and nice weaving through regrouping defense. The ball went through everyone’s hands and ended with Toliver for the try, 15-0.
The USA added one more try before Kenya answered on the scoreboard. The Americans regrouped a few times as the 22-meter defense held well. Then Cheta Emba charged forward and sucked in some defenders, then freed the ball for Abby Gustaitis coming around the corner. The co-captain centered the try for Nicole Heavirland’s conversion, 22-0.
Kenya was certainly not without and the team could not be muscled through. From a scrum in its end, Kenya moved the ball to Janet Okello on the wing and Kirshe had the tackle all lined up. But the wing absorbed the hit and kept moving, past Ilona Maher and Kayla Canett covering. Kirshe nearly caught Okello in the long sprint to try line, but not before the grounding. The conversion was good: 22-7.
The USA had the final say as far as the scoreboard was concerned. Maher advanced the restart ball up-field and popped to her feet after a not-held tackle. She hit Sui Aa’u out the back and the 7s debutant thumped through a would-be tackler and hit Canett with the offload. The ball recycled to Kirshe, who cut across her opposite and dotted down beneath the post. Heavirland added another conversion for the 29-7 win.
The next possession restared the point differential Ilona up, to Sui Aa’u, who was able to thump through contact & then hit the offload to Canett. The recycle went to Kirshe who carved up the middle for the try, which was converted by Heavirland, 29-7
USA 29
Tries: Toliver 2, Doyle, Gustaitis, Kirshe
Cons: Heavirland 2
Kenya 7