England Women crowned European Sevens round one champions
England Women took the glory in the first round of the European Sevens in the Netherlands today (Sunday) seeing over a dogged Spanish outfit who battled all the way in the final.
England, who now head to Moscow later this month for the final round which also doubles up as a Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifier, led 7-5 at the break but Spain bounced back with a try sevens minutes into the second-half which edged them 7-10 ahead.
A crucial converted try, however, for Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt shortly after put England back in the lead, and another touchdown in the dying minute for Worcester’s Joanne Watmore, who also scored the winning tries at the IRB Challenge Cup Sevens in Hong Kong and London, saw England hang on to their 21-10 lead and take the title - their third of the season.
England booked their place in the final after a convincing 24-7 semi-final victory over hosts the Netherlands, with Watmore, Danielle Waterman and Rachel Burford (two tries) scoring. Skipper Alice Richardson also added two conversions.
England Women’s Sevens Head Coach Barry Maddocks said: “We are delighted to have won this title which puts us in a really good position ahead of the final round in Moscow later this month.
“This has been a challenging tournament especially the final against Spain, where they battled all the way. We were not as clinical in the final, and certainly did not play to our best - we know we are capable of more - but that is another stepping stone for us to look at and improve on for the final tournament of this season. However, it is great to see the girls digging deep and fulfilling our targets for this tournament.”
Earlier today England rounded off their pool game matches with a superb 53-0 defeat of Switzerland which saw Sevens debutant Ruth Laybourn run in a massive six tries. England also defeated Russia, France, Italy and Sweden on Saturday on route to the knock out stages.
