Ireland Women Sevens Hamilton Wrap

Ireland’s struggles in the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series continued in Hamilton, New Zealand  with an 11th place finish.

The women’s team failed to win a pool match but finished the tournament with a win against Brazil in the 11th Place Play off.

We asked Ulster speedster to have a look at the matches as she recovers from injury and you can read Holly’s reports below.

Canada were first on the scoreboard with crossing for a try, converted by .

Ireland hit back almost immediately with crossing for to convert. However crossed on the stroke of half time to give Canada a 12 – 7 lead at the break.

Canada pulled away in the second half with crossing before Lukan added her second. Landry converted one to give Canada a 24 – 7 win.

It was a high tempo start by the French.  A line out throw by Ireland was deemed not straight,  the French capitalize from the scrum with fast feet and a first try from who converted her own score.

Handling error by Ireland at the restart handed possession to the French and  a dummy and step secure  Bertrand a converted try. before Izar takes an outside line to add a third converted try before break for a 21 – 0 lead.

Ireland struggle with possession but looked dangerous on the ball with gaining valuable meters. but no end product and France capitalize on an overlap for Guerin to secures a fourth for the French.

In the closing minute, quick hands and a switch from to Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe pulls one bak for Ireland, converted by Mulhall.

However, a late break after the hooter give France the final say despite an incredible chase down from Mulhall. France 35 Ireland 5

The teams were evenly matched throughout first half with both sides having chances. Wasn’t until the seventh minute was played that replacement put a try on the scoreboard for to convert.

The duo repeated the the feat early in the second half to give Spain a 14 – 0 lead.

Ireland came back fighting in the 2nd half although ‘s last minute try, converted by Mulhall, wasn’t enough to claim a victory in Pool C with Ireland dropping into the bottom four play offs.

Ireland earned a hard fought 29-11 victory after a speedy start by Brazil.

Cerullo spotted a mismatch in the opening minute to to start the scoreboard ticking over.

The Irish bit back with Murphy Crowe striking through the middle for Mulhall to convert. However, Brazil restored their lead with a converted try by Bianca Silva.

A good display of hustle defense by Brazil denied Ireland’s Higgins on the outside leaving Ireland trailing 14 -7 at half time.  The Irish needed to come out strong to secure an 11th place finish.

Mulhall was the answer in the opening seconds of the 2nd half going the length, shortly followed by Tyrrell cutting a short line to add another 5. Silva hit back for Brazil to leave the scores tied on the hooter.

Up stepped youngster who bagged the winning score off a clever switch play by Galvin.

Who did what?

It’s been a difficult season for the Women’s Sevens side and this is the third tournament they have finished in the bottom three.

They will have been particularly disappointed to have lost out to close rivals Spain and Brazil remain the only side they have defeated this season.

Their overall record for the four legs of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series are shown below.

Ireland Women 7s Win Record

(First Three Tournaments)

PLAYEDWONWIN%PFPAPD
17318%194462(268)

However, it’s fine margins in this game and it won’t take much to turn their season around.

In Hamilton, Ireland notched up 47 points with the following scorers.

  • Lucy Mulhall 17 pts (1T 6C)
  • Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe  10 pts (2T)
  • Hannah Tyrrell 10 pts (2T)
  • Megan Burns 5 pts (1T)
  • Louise Galvin 5 pts (1T)

Plugging these into their World Series stats for this season we get the following.

PLAYERCLUBGAMESTRIESPOINTS
Amee-Leigh Murphy CroweRailway Union161050
Eve HigginsRailway Union17440
Lucy MulhallRathdrum9129
Hannah TyrrellOld Belvedere17525
Louise GalvinUL Bohemian17420
Megan BurnsTullamore16210
Emily LaneMallow1715
Katie FitzhenryBlackrock1715
Kathy BakerBlackrock1615
Anna DoyleTullow715
Brittany HoganDCU1200
Deirbhile Nic A BhairdOld Belvedere1000
Stacey FloodRailway Union900
Claire BolesRailway Union700
Katie HeffernanMullingar300
Anna McGannOld Belvedere000
Lucinda KinghanDCU000

Onwards to Sydney

The same extended squad of 14 players will be competing in Sydney this weekend, though at the time of writing the match day squad of 12 has yet to be announced.

Extended Squad: Kathy Baker, Megan Burns, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Stacey Flood, Katie Fitzhenry, Louise Galvin, Eve Higgins, Brittany Hogan, Emily Lane, Anna McGann, Lucy Mulhall (C), Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird, Hannah Tyrrell.

I would expect the two unused players from Hamilton, Anna McGann and Lucinda Kinghan, to get some game time this tine round.

Ireland are once again drawn in Pool C where they will face rematches with France and Spain with Australia replacing Canada. Pool schedule below.

  • Ireland v France – Saturday 1st February 12.20am UK/IRE
  • Ireland v Australia – Saturday 1st February 5.36am UK/IRE
  • Ireland v Spain – Saturday 1st February 11.13pm UK/IRE
  • Play-offs and Finals – TBC.

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