England Women were crowned European 7s Plate champions on Sunday after a 13-10 victory over host nation Russia.
The reigning Rugby World Cup 7s Plate champions were unable to defend their cup title in Russia after losing to France and Italy in the pool stages.
England had to beat France today in the final pool game but a last minute
error saw France score and take a 12-10 victory, leaving England to battle
for Plate honours.
England took on Portugal in the Plate semi final and tries from
Richmond’s Fran Matthews and Georgina Roberts handed England a 7-12
victory and a place in the final.
However, the reigning champions were again made to work hard for the
victory with the score 10-10 at full time. Only a Natasha Hunt penalty in
sudden death secured the win and the Plate crown for England.
England 7s Coach Barry Maddocks said: “This has been a very tense
weekend. There have been lots of ups and downs but overall this has been a
great experience for our young players, who’ll go away having learned
a lot. There is no doubt that the standard of this competition has risen
this year.”
EnglandEuropean 7s results:
Pool games:
England29 Sweden 5
Tries: Roberts, Matthews (3), Guest.
Conversions: Hunt (2)
England7 Italy 17
Tries: Roberts.
Conversion: Hunt
England55 Germany 0
Tries: Matthews (2), Guest (3), Staniford (3), Edwards,
Conversions: Hunt (5)
England10 France 12
Plate Semi Final
England12 Portugal 7
Tries: Matthews, Roberts
Conversions: Hunt
Plate Final
England13 Russia 10
Tries: Staniford, Sharples
Penalty: Hunt
England 7s
Sonia GreenSaracens
Gemma
Sharples Worcester
Michaela
Staniford Wasps
Hannah Field
Wasps
Sarah Guest Worcester
Georgina
Roberts Darlington
Mowden Park Sharks
Jennifer
Edwards Darlington Mowden
Park Sharks
Francesca
Mathews Richmond
Kimberley Oliver Bristol
Natasha Hunt Bristol
