Images by Erich Eichhorn (ISN)
LANGFORD, BC – Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team are through to the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens Cup Quarterfinals after going a perfect 3-0, outscoring the opposition 69-0 in pool play, and will face France tomorrow morning at Westhills Stadium.
Canada’s Jenn Kish holds off Makiko Tomita tackle as she carries the ball up the pitch – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)
Canada opened the day with a convincing 38-0 win over Japan before another lopsided victory over Ireland, 26-0. Canada claimed top spot in Pool C after beating England 5-0 in their final match on Saturday. Head coach John Tait was very pleased with Canada’s defensive effort on Day One. Canada did not concede a single point, while outscoring their three opponents 69-0.
“Obviously the defence and keeping a clean sheet for Day One is always a challenge, not to have those letdowns,” said Tait. “We’ve worked hard in the last week, particularly looking at a lot of video where we can improve our defence. The structure was there, it’s just a matter of us being calm.”
It’s the first time this season Canada did not concede a single point in a day of competition.
“It’s pretty impressive nobody scored any points on us,” said Captain Jen Kish. “We all know defence wins games and it just goes to show that when you’re on with your defence you’re going to come out with a 3-0 on Day One.”
Canada’s Julia GreenShields is tripped up by an Irish player in match number two for Canada on the day. Canada would prevail 26-0. Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)
Canada was in the same position at last year’s Canada Sevens where they finished 3-0 on Day One before bowing out in the Cup Quarterfinals, losing two of their three matches on Day Two. Kish missed last year’s tournament due to injury, but knows what it will take to be successful this time around.
“There’s always room for improvement,” said Kish. “We’re just going to maintain our focus on where to attack on teams weaknesses and it’s all about having your vision up and when our vision is up and we’re looking and scanning and breathing and our minds keep working we’re going to have a successful Day Two. It’s one game at a time and it’s a game of inches, that’s how we did well today.”
Tait doesn’t think his team is in for a repeat performance.
“It will be different this year, because of last year.”
Canada was in the same position at last year’s Canada Sevens where they finished 3-0 on Day One before bowing out in the Cup Quarterfinals, losing two of their three matches on Day Two. Kish missed last year’s tournament due to injury, but knows what it will take to be successful this time around.
“There’s always room for improvement,” said Kish. “We’re just going to maintain our focus on where to attack on teams weaknesses and it’s all about having your vision up and when our vision is up and we’re looking and scanning and breathing and our minds keep working we’re going to have a successful Day Two. It’s one game at a time and it’s a game of inches, that’s how we did well today.”
Tait doesn’t think his team is in for a repeat performance.
“It will be different this year, because of last year.”
CANADA 38-0 JAPAN
Playing in front of their home crowd, Canada’s women’s sevens team opened the Canada Sevens with a dominating 38-0 win. Canada controlled much of the play in the match, with Japan’s only real threat coming on a tryline stand by the Canadian defence.
Karen Paquin scores one of her teamates 6 trys against Japan – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)
Karen Paquin opened the scoring in the first minute, while Bianca Farella added two first half tries to give Canada a 21-0 lead at half. The second half was much of the same, with Canada scoring another three tries as Kayla Moleschi, Britt Benn and Kelly Russell all touched down.
Karen Paquin opened the scoring in the first minute, while Bianca Farella added two first half tries to give Canada a 21-0 lead at half. The second half was much of the same, with Canada scoring another three tries as Kayla Moleschi, Britt Benn and Kelly Russell all touched down.
Canada’s Hannah Darling finishes her tackle in a superb display of Canada’s defensive play – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)
CANADA 26-0 IRELAND
Canada followed up their opening win with another strong performance, this time a 26-0 win over Ireland. The Irish hung tough with the Canadians in the opening half, but with Canada pinned in their own try zone, Bianca Farella went the length of the pitch to give Canada a 7-0 lead at the break.
Bianca Farella runs the field to score her team’s first try on the game and her third try of the day – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)
Canada continued to play at a high level in the second half, with Kayla Mack taking the second half restart in for her first ever World Rugby Sevens Series try.
“It was great, it’s always nice to get the try but every moment on the field with the girls is such an adventure and so much fun and whenever anyone gets one it feels like a team try,” said an excited Mack.
Kayla Mack would score two trys in the game on open field runs like this – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)
Mack followed that up with her second try in as many minutes and Kelly Russell added a fourth Canadian try in the closing seconds as Canada claimed a 26-0 victory.
Kayla Mack zeros in on Ireland’s Kim Flood for the tackle – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)
Defense has it’s sacrifices, but a heel in the face didn’t stop this Canadian player – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)
CANADA 5-0 ENGLAND
Canada continued their dominant defensive effort against England, scrapping out a 5-0 win to take Pool C. Bianca Farella provided the only points of the match, scoring in the final seconds of the first half. It was Farella’s fourth try of the tournament, the most by any Canadian player.
Canada continued their dominant defensive effort against England, scrapping out a 5-0 win to take Pool C. Bianca Farella provided the only points of the match, scoring in the final seconds of the first half. It was Farella’s fourth try of the tournament, the most by any Canadian player.
Bianca Farella scores her fourth try of the day against England. It would prove the game winner for Canada – Erich Eichhorn image (www.allsportmedia.ca)
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