England Women crowned Euro 7s Plate Champions
By RFU Press Julia Hutton
July 11 2010
England Women were crowned European 7s Plate champions on Sunday after a 13-10 victory over host nation Russia.
England Women Crowned Euro 7s Plate Champions
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.”
England European 7s results:
Pool games:
England 29 Sweden 5
Tries: Roberts, Matthews (3), Guest.
Conversions: Hunt (2)
England 7 Italy 17
Tries: Roberts.
Conversion: Hunt
England 55 Germany 0
Tries: Matthews (2), Guest (3), Staniford (3), Edwards,
Conversions: Hunt (5)
England 10 France 12
Plate Semi Final
England 12 Portugal 7
Tries: Matthews, Roberts
Conversions: Hunt
Plate Final
England 13 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