LAX SVNS - women Day Two
WRAP: Los Angeles hosts the fifth round of HSBC SVNS at the California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California.
History was made on Day One, as the 12 best women’s teams in the world competed alongside the men’s teams in a combined tournament for the first time in the United States.
There was much for the home fans to shout about, as the United States women recorded a crowd-pleasing victory.
* We bring you all the Day Two action!
Cup quarterfinals
TBC
Pool A
Fiji 7 VS 19 South Africa
Fiji looked unorganised in the opening minutes of the first half. Possession wasn’t going as planned for Fiji as they were shoved back to their 22 while in possession. Eventually, after being backed into a corner Fiji find a way to escape their 22 with the speed of Young. She went all the way and left the South Africans in her dust to secure the first try. An unexpected try after being put on the backfoot. South Africa return the favour seconds before the half time whistle, but fail to secure the conversion, giving the Fijians a two point advantage going into the break.
Two minutes into the second half, South Africa pulled ahead after a scrum happened inside the Fiji 22.They managed to get the conversion on their second try occasion, which gave them a five point lead. Naimasi was sent to the bin with only a few minutes left to play. South African were unable to take advantage after a kick forward with a chase was lost forward in the try area. South Africa continued their kicking strategy with little success, until the sound of the hooter drove them over to bag one more before the game ended.
New Zealand 40 VS 0 Brazil
Brazil enjoyed a nice start to the game where they probed at the 22 of the New Zealand side. They lost out and New Zealand made quick work of the counter attack when they sent it down the line to Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. Moments after they scored their try they set it down for another. The second try had a successful conversion. Brazil appeared to turn off after the second try, falling victim to two more tries. Both of which happened shortly after the restarts. Going into the break a comeback seemed highly unlikely for the Brazilians.
The second half started in the same vein as the first, with New Zealand scoring two tries shortly after the kick off, both being converted. The New Zealand team continued controlling the pace of the game despite not being able to pierce the Brazilian defence again. Regardless, they had done enough to ensure a comfortable victory.
Brazil 7 – 10 South Africa
Things got off to a scrappy start for both teams as they looked to feel each other out in pretty wet conditions. The Brazilians drew first blood through a try by BIANCA SILVA.
The South Africans responded with a brilliant individual breakaway try by NADINE ROOS.
With everything left to play for in the 2nd half as both teams look to secure a cup quarter final spot it was game on these two Nations.
The South African defense managed to apply pressure on Brazil and get within scoring distance but the Brazil defense kept them out for over 4 minutes.
South Africa manages to find some space wide with that familiar kick into space and AYANDA MALINGA collects and scores as both these go through to the cup quarters.
New Zealand 38 – 7 Fiji
Despite an early mistake by the Black Ferns they manage to score the first points through MICHAELA BLYDE who found some space on the right wing.
Fiji responded with a brilliant try by the speedster ADI VANI BULEKI.
New Zealand sealed off the first half with two more tries by JORJA MILLER & MAHINA PAUL as they started to look a bit more comfortable.
The 2nd half was an all New Zealand show as Fiji struggled with their discipline. The Black Ferns scored 3 unanswered tries through SHIRAY KAKA, RISI POURI-LANE & a second try for MICHAELA BLYDE.
Fiji 7 v 19 South Africa
New Zealand 40 v 0 Brazil
Brazil 7 v 10 South Africa
New Zealand 38 v 7 Fiji
Pool B
Australia 46 VS 5 Japan
Australia kicked off and opened the scoring a minute into play with a recovery from a counter attack, which led them to a counter attack of their own. The early try sparked a fire in the Australian women’s engines that spurred them on to three more tries, secured by Levi, Ashlick, and Ashby. As they looked to be running away with it, Japan pulled a try out of the depths that would perhaps initiate their comeback in the second half.
After the start of the second half Japan’s aspirations of an heroic comeback seemed unlikely. The Japanese conceded two more in quick succession before the Australians went over another time. Three tries in less than five minutes for Australia and the game turned into a bit of a romp. The hopes of a comeback long put to bed, but sealed shut with one more try by Australia. A dominant performance overall.
France 21 VS 5 Ireland
France had an explosive start and pulled ahead by 14 points after three minutes, putting Ireland under immense early pressure. Ireland showed good spirit to continue bringing the game to the French women but found little success as the French managed to quell each attack well before it looked lethal. France went into the break feeling good about themselves.
Ireland came into the second half with a refurbished approach and composed backline. They did well to keep the French out while simultaneously pushing forward to bag a try of their own through the efforts of Higgins. The early yellow card in the first half surely hurt them, but they did well with their recovery. Unfortunately, not enough was done to secure the victory. After being held at the 5 of the French, they lost out and Ulutule picked up the loose ball then sprinted the distance of the pitch to get another French try, ending the game.
Ireland 26 – 12 Japan
The Japanese got off to a great start scoring perhaps the try of tournament so far, WAKABA HARA is the one who finished of the try.
The Irish didn’t take long to strike back as BEIBHINN PARSONS cuts straight through the Japanese defense to score.
Ireland took the lead at the break with a try by LUCINDA KINGHAN after the Irish held onto the ball and applied pressure on attack.
Japan managed to score another spectacular try as CHIHARU NAKAMURA manoeuvres her way over the try line with minimal space in the left-hand corner.
Try scorer Parsons did well to turn defense into attack as she ran down a Japanese player who looked clear and made the steal on the ground as well. EVE HIGGINS then found some space and ran it clear.
AOIBHEANN REILLY scored after the restart kick as the Japanese allowed the ball to bounce and that was enough to keep the Japanese out in a close contested affair.
France 14 – 17 Australia
Australia came out meaning business as they scored two early tries through SHARNI SMALE & TEAGAN LEVI.
But the French managed to fight their way back into the game with a try by SÉRAPHINE OKEMBA and they almost get in close before then end of the half.
The Aussies got back onto the scoreboard soon after the half time break as they looked to stretch their lead through a try by FAITH NATHAN.
The French kept fighting as we saw a few massive collisions in the midfield, they manage to score through JOANNA GRISEZ.
Australia managed to fend off a last minute scare by the French as Maddison Levi got stuck into another massive tackle save a definite try.
Australia 46 v 5 Japan
France 21 v 5 Ireland
Ireland 26 v 12 Japan
France 14 v 17 Australia
Pool C
Canada 31 VS 0 Spain
Canada with the start they wanted – an early try. At the start of the game they required a sizeable point difference to pull ahead of the USA, if the assumption was that the USA won their game. The Canadians remained on attack for much of the first half, passing the guard of the Spanish a second time a minute before the hooter. Norsten and Nicholas were the respective try-scorers for Canada. Spain tried to keep it in play after the hooter but found little success. The half time score was 12 – 0.
Spain had yet to show up, even after the half time break. Canada tossed the ball around with an inevitable sense that it would go over the line, and it did after a run by Scurfield. They continued the aggressive tactics, and secured another comfortable try to put the game to bed. Clinical performance from the Canadians. The ladies in red put the ball down for one more try before the hooter. It never seemed in doubt for the Canadians.
United States 34 VS 7 Great Britain
USA started the game by giving the fans something to cheer for. They make it over the line with a splendid team try, linking each of the women together to weave a path into the try area. The conversion was secured. Moments later Maher found a gap in the middle of the pitch and shot forward to leave the Great Britain defence in her dust. Her teammate, Doyle, also found success by flanking the British defence and secured a try of her own. Great Britain displayed a never-say-die attitude and managed to pull one back before the break with a conversion to boot.
USA nipped all potential outcomes for a comeback in the bud when they sneaked their way over the line with a stunning inside ball. Rovetti, the lady on the receiving end of the ball dashed over to further her side’s lead. USA concentrated their attack around the sticks and just when Great Britain matched their efforts the hosts sent it wide into space and made it over the line again. Great Britain struggled to halt the momentum that USA. The Eagles got a final one for the road after defending on their 22 and clearing then chasing down the loose ball. A dominant performance from the USA.
Spain 21 – 19 Great Britain
The Spanish got off to a good start after breaking the GB defensive line and getting a penalty 5m out they manage to score from out close through ANNE FERNÁNDEZ DE CORRES.
GB responded with a try by their talisman ELLIE BOATMAN but the Spanish secured the first half with a breakaway try by speedster JUANA STELLA to (14-7) up as siren sounded for half time.
The Great Britain team struck back in the 2nd half and levelled things up as they looked to win this game by 5 points to go through to quarters as JADE SHEKELLS scores.
The Spanish who seemed to have the upper hand throughout the game scores another try through MARTA CANTABRANA GIL.
GB manages to score at the death but the conversion is missed
Canada 19 – 22 United States
The final pool match of the tournament got off flying start as there was not love lost between these two Nations.
Things were evenly contested in the opening minutes before the USA started to gain some momentum. They scored two tries through SAMMY SULLIVAN & ALEV KELTER.
The Canadians came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half as they swung the ball across the park and manage to find some space for SABRINA POULIN to score.
The Americans weren’t letting go of the top spot of the pool so easily as they responded with a another try by the speedster SAMMY SULLIVAN.
KRISSY SCURFIELD scored a spectacular try but KAYLA CANETT went over soon after for USA.
Canada had the last say in the game with a breakaway try by ASIA HOGAN-ROCHESTER but unfortunately that wasn’t enough to win this one.
Canada 31 v 0 Spain
United States 34 v 7 Great Britain
Spain 21 v 19 Great Britain
Canada 19 v 22 United States
