Canada’s women top Russia, Ireland and France to advance at Atlanta Sevens

ATLANTA – Canada’s women’s sevens team finished Day 1 of the Atlanta Sevens with a perfect 3-0 record, having defeated Russia, Ireland and France by a combined score of 72-22 on Friday.

The Canadians will face Fiji in the Cup quarter-final.

Canada began its day with a strong 26-5 win over Russia. Canada fell behind early as Baizat Khamidova scored in the corner but Karen Paquin brought the score even heading into the break.

Paquin pushed Canada ahead 12-5 early in the second half before Kayla Moleschi scored Canada’s final two tries, both coming after nice dummies fooled the Russian line of defence.

Canada followed that up with a 29-5 win over Ireland. Bianca Farella opened the scoring as she outran two Irish defenders to touch down in the left corner. On the ensuing re-start, captain Jen Kish sailed high into the air to secure possession, with the ball finding it’s way through the hands to Farella, who touched down for an early brace to give Canada a 12-0 lead.

On the final play before the half-time whistle, Toronto’s Ghislaine Landry danced through the opposition backline and touched down for her first score of the weekend. Fellow Torontonian Kelly Russell added the extra two from the sideline to lead 19-0.

In the second half, Emmanuela Jada — making her debut for Canada — finished off a set of passes from her teammates.

Nearing the end of the half, Charity Williams had Jada in support but she backed herself and touched down for Canada’s fifth score. Ireland would get one back from Hannah Tyrrell, but it would be too little, too late.

In the third and pool-deciding match of the day, the only two undefeated teams in Pool B — Canada and France — met with the Canadians coming out on top 17-12.

France opened the scoring with a try from Lina Geurin to take an early 7-0 lead. Kish, however, rallied her side by scoring a highlight reel try as she powered over the line with a French tackler on her back. Shortly after and following a French penalty, Landry sliced through France’s line off a set play to give Canada their first lead of the match 10-7 at halftime.

The second half would see end-to-end action and Kish touched down for her second try off a stolen line out to further the advantage to 17-7, however France would respond from Laurelin Fourcade to bring the game within one score at 17-12. Canada’s defence stood tall in the final three and a half minutes.