Madrid SVNS, Day Three - women
LIVE UPDATES: Join us as we bring you LIVE updates on Day Three of the HSBC SVNS winner-takes-all Grand Final.
Canada, Australia, France and New Zealand all qualified for the Championship semi-finals on an unpredictable day of Grand Final action in Madrid that saw Canada shock New Zealand but only just hold off Great Britain in extra time.
Below are all the Day Three LIVE updates …
Final
Austriala 26 – 7 France
The final got off to a nervy start for the Aussies after a horrible kick-off by Tia Hinds but they managed to stay composed and find space through FAITH NATHAN who runs straight through.
The French applied pressure on the Australian rucks and it paid off as YOLAINE YENGO went over to level things up.
Things ended in a deadlock in the first half, leaving everything to play for in the 2nd half.
Australia struggled to get MADDISON LEVI in the game but when they did it was Levi who went in for back to back tries as she scored a hattrick in the final. Australia won comfortably at the end as there seemed to be no where through their defensive line.
Third-place play-off
New Zealand 26 – 14 Canada
Things got off to a nervy start for the Canadian’s as the kick-off bounced into space behind them but New Zealand gave away a penalty that saw them get pushed back and leading to a CHARITY WILLIAMS try.
The Black Ferns fought back and scored a couple through MAHINA PAUL & THERESA SETEFANO to one score up into the break.
ALENA SAILI found some space early in 2nd half and Canada responded through their Captain OLIVIA APPS.
JORJA MILLER scored a final try as New Zealand went in to comfortably take the bronze medal.
Semifinals
Australia 21 – 19 New Zealand
It was an arm wrestling affair between these two familiar foe. Both sets of teams played the ball through the hands but in the end it was New Zealand’s patience that paid off as MAHINA PAUL found some space scored for the Black Ferns. Australia responded with a brilliant individual try by FAITH NATHAN who saw the space and backed her pace to go through.
New Zealand made good use of the scraps that they got as the Ausies dominated the possession and they managed to score 2 tries through RISI POURI-LANE & PORTIA WOODMAN-WICKLIFFE.
The Ausies fought back in this match and scored a final try thtough their talisman MADDISON LEVI. It was the final conversion kick from TIA HINDS that snatched the victory for the Aussies.
Canada 17 – 19 France
The French got off to a strong start as SERAPHINE OKEMBA powered her way over the line. Canada responded with a try by FLORENCE SYMONDS. The French went into half with two tries up after a couple of unforced errors by the Canada.
The Canadians scored a try against the run of play as the French made a few errors of their own.
It went down to the wire at the end as the Canadians started to dominate possession in the last couple of minutes and the French struggled with discipline. The French managed to hang in there.
Fifth-place semifinal
Ireland 20 – 0 Great Britain
The first fifth place semifinal got off to a scrappy start as both sets of teams struggled to hang onto the ball. The Irish got some front-foot ball early on but couldn’t get to the Great Britain try line. They managed to break the deadlock with 1 minute left in the first half and then scored another in extra time.
The Irish picked up where they left off in the first half as their talisman AMEE LEIGH MURPHY CROWE ran one in. Great Britain failed make use of their numerical advantage after BEIBHINN PARSONS got yellow carded.
In the end the Irish comfortably came out on top as GB failed to respond.
United States 31 -0 Fiji
The United States dominated the first half with 3 tries as Fijiana struggled to hang unto the ball.
The struggles continued for the Fijians in the 2nd half as ARIANA RAMSEY went in for a brace. The Fiji team failed to score any tries in a error ridden match.
Fifth-place play-off
Ireland 14 – 27 USA
USA got off to a good start, claiming the Irish kick-off and then applying pressure on the attack. ARIANA RAMSEY scored a double before AMEE LEIGH MURPHY CROWE cut through the USA defense to score for the Irish.
ARIANA RAMSEY scored 2 more in the 2nd half to secure the 5th place for the USA
Seventh-place play-off
Great Britain 7 – 42 Fiji
Fiji dominated the opening moments of the match as REAPI ULUNISAU scored a brace but then GB responds with a try through ISLA NORMAN-BELL.
Fijiana dominated the rest of the match with offloads across the park they scored 4 more tries to win comfortably in the end to claim the 7th position.
Challenger play-offs
China 33 – 0 Belgium
The Chinese defense held strong in the open minutes and paid off as MA XIAO DAN went in behind with their first opportunity to attack. They scored another one through YANG FEIFEI as Belgium failed to respond.
China picked where they left-off by scoring another couple of convincing tries through HU YU. The Chinese women team secured their place on the HSBC Circuit looking very comfortable at the end.
Spain 22 – 0 South Africa
It was a tussle as both sets of players gave it their all in the opening minutes of the game but the hosts managed to get the first score through their 17 year old talisman JUANA STELLA. They went into the break with 2 scores up PAULA REQUENA scored a second try for the Spanish.
With the crowd behind the hosts they went in to score 2 more unanswered tries in the 2nd half.
The Spanish looked comfortable at the end as they secured their place as a First Tier Nation.
Japan 26 -12 Argentina
The Japanese got off to good start scoring two tries through EMII TANAKA & CHIHARU NAKAMURA. The Pumas responded with a try by TALIA RODICH and then missed an opportunity at the end of the half.
TALIA RODICH scored a 2nd try to level things up and it was game on from there.
Japan managed to keep out the Argentinian scare at the end with two tries by FUMIKO OTAKE & CHIHARU NAKAMURA to secure their place for next year.
Poland 7 – 38 Brazil
The Brazilians dominated the opening minutes of the game scoring through their talisman THALIA COSTA.
They went comfortably into the break with 4 tries ahead and certaily looked like they would secure their place.
Poland managed to respond through a try by OLIWIA STRUGINSKA but that wasn’t enough as Brazil scored a couple more.
Brazil comfortably secured their place for next season.
