| Written by Jackie Finlan Saturday, 01 December 2012 07:50 |  |  |  |
The USA Women rebounded from a frustrating day one to win both their knockout matches on day two of the Dubai 7s. Going 1-2 through pool play, the Eagles were relegated to the Bowl competition, where they first beat China 36-7 in the semifinals. The final saw a rematch of the USA's only pool-play win against France, and the Eagles didn't falter in repeating the win, taking home the Bowl with a 26-12 win. The Americans inaugurated their IRB Women's Sevens World Series experience with a 3-3 record.
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France definitely made it more entertaining than the teams’ first matchup; however, the USA ran out to a 12-0 lead before Les Bleus responded. Nathalie Marchino accounted for the first try, which was converted by Christy Ringgenberg. Vanesha McGee followed suit, showcasing her superb speed as she took the corner on the French defense for the second try.
It takes France the rest of the half to build their first score, but their patience and pressure pay off as Caroline Ladagnous scores and Christelle Le Duff converts, 12-7 into the break.
But France faltered in using that momentum to their advantage in the second half, as the team struggled with penalties and allowed the USA to penetrate deep into their territory. Katie Dowty eventually made the opposition pay for their indiscipline and sliced through the defense for the Americans’ third try. Ringgenberg slotted her second conversion for the 19-7 lead.
There the game stood for the next four minutes, but the French were determined to narrow the point margin. Shannon Izar’s try came with 45 seconds left in regulation for a 19-12 scoreline.
But with a little time left in injury time, the USA immediately deflated France’s hope for a comeback, as Vix Folayan took the very next possession into the try zone for the final score, which Bui Baravilala converted.
It was a nice ending to tour and puts a more positive spin on the Americans' ninth-place finish.
USA 26
Tries: Marchino, McGee, Dowty, Folayan
Conversions: Ringgenberg 2, Baravilala
France 12
Tries: Ladagnous, Izar
Conversions: Le Duff
Source : rugbymag[dot]com