HSBC Canada Women's Sevens Updates

Bernadette Larose 11/05/2019

Rugby 7s Senior Women

Updates on the fifth stop of the HSBC World Rugby Women's Series, at home in Langford, BC on May 11-12th.

Canada vs. Brazil

Canada started off their HSBC Canada Women's sevens campaign with a big win against Brazil in front of an electric hometown crowd.

Captain Ghislaine Landry started things off for Canada with a try in the opening minutes of the match, slipping through a hole in Brazil's line to score. After serving a penalty for a high tackle, Kayla Moleschi more than made up for it, faking with a killer show and go to beat her defender to score. Canada ended the half up 12-7 with Landry adding on the kick.

It was all Canada in the second half, with Emma Chown getting the pass from Breanne Nicholas to score and Landry following up with the conversion. Canada covered big ground, moving the ball sideline to sideline to find Charity Williams on the wing for a try in the corner. Seconds later, Williams got her second try of the match off an almost identical play. Karen Paquin scored the final try of the match, stretching across the line to score. With two conversions by Nicholas, Canada finished the match on top, 38-7.

Canada vs. Ireland

Canada pulled away for the win against Ireland in their second match of pool play, winning 22-5.

Ireland were first to strike but Britt Benn came back with a big fend that got her free for the score. A series of knock ons on both sides slowed play down at the end of the first and left the match tied at 5 all.

In the second, Kayla Moleschi found longtime teammate Ghislaine Landry on the wing for the try. At the breakdown Benn scooped up the ball and hit Karen Paquin who dotted down in the corner. Paquin got the final try of the match, cutting inside and burning down field to score between the sticks. Landry added the convert to bring the final 22-5.

Canada vs. Australia

Canada fell to Australia in their last match of day one, 29-14.

Canada had a great start with Julia Greenshields sprinting in for the first try of the match. Ghislaine Landry added on the conversion but Australia got a try of their own to put them up at the break.

It was an all out battle in the second half with both teams showing signs of exhaustion. A series of penalties in favour of Canada started off their offensive drive with Bianca Farella touching down in the corner. Landry added the conversion but that was the last score of the match for Canada.

Canada vs. USA

Canada fell to the USA in the cup quarterfinals, 12-7 to open up day 2 of the HSBC Canada Women's Sevens.

Not an easy win for USA by any means, Canada held strong in the first but USa finally slipped through the line in the final seconds of the half to go up 7-0.

In the second Charity Williams did what she does best and burned it down the sideline for a try, electrifying the crowd. Ghislaine Landry came up big with the conversion on a tough angle but USA answered quickly to pull ahead and take the match.

France won their quarterfinal match against England, meaning Canada will have to wait until Biarritz, France for another chance at qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Canada vs. Spain

Canada comeback big with a win against Spain, 31-0 in the fifth place semifinal.

Starting things off for Canada was Bianca Farella, dotting down in the corner in the opening minute of play. Then it was back-to-back tries by Captain Ghislaine Landry, spotting the gap both times for the score. Landry added on two conversions to put Canada ahead 19-0 at the break.

Breanne Nicholas stretched over the try line in the second half but a TMO decision ruled it held up. But Canada made up for that quickly with Charity Williams scoring an amazing end to end try, sprinting the length of the field to score. Finishing it off was Keyara Wardley, getting the pass on the wing on the final play. Nicholas added on the kick, giving Canada the win 31-0.

Canada vs. England

Canada came out big in their final match against England, winning 31-7.

Starting things off was Britt Benn, stepping the defense to get Canada on England's 5m line and then Bianca Farella punched in it. Julia Greenshields followed up shortly after, fending a tackle to score. Farella got her second of the match, dotting down in the corner. Closing out the first half was the dominate Charity Williams. She punched it into overdrive to score her 50th career try to the delight of the home crowd. Ghislaine Landry added on two conversions to put Canada well ahead at the half.

The second started off in familiar fashion, with Williams in full sprint to touch down under the sticks for Canada's final score of the match. With the conversion from Landry, Canada closed out their Canada Sevens campaign in fifth place.

The team will have another chance to clinch qualification in Biarritz, France for the last stop on the series in June.

Watch every match LIVE on CBC Sports or on delayed broadcast on CBC.

Canada Roster:

1. Britt Benn, Guelph Redcoats (Napanee, ON)

2. Emma Chown, Aurora Barbarians (Barrie, ON)

3. Caroline Crossley, Castaway Wanderers (Victoria, BC)

4. Bianca Farella, Town of Mount Royal RCF (Montreal, QC)

5. Julia Greenshields, Sarnia Saints (Sarnia, ON)

6. Ghislaine Landry, Toronto Scottish (Toronto, ON) - ‘C’

7. Kaili Lukan, Unattached (Barrie, ON)

8. Kayla Moleschi, Williams Lake Rustlers (Williams Lake, BC)

9. Breanne Nicholas, London St. Georges RFC (Blenheim, ON)