Ireland Women Suffer Tough Start To Cape Town Sevens

Ireland Women suffered a difficult start to the third leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Cape Town as a powerful USA side displayed their clinical edge to run in five tries and record a 38-0 victory in the opening Pool C game at Cape Town Stadium.

Ireland started the contest intently and enjoyed a period of early territory, but in struggling to retain possession and bring accuracy to their performance, Stan McDowell‘s side allowed USA mount sustained pressure on their line and the Americans crossed for four first-half tries to lead 28-0 at the break.

Alev Kelter (2), Eti Haungatau and Lauren Doyle scored before the interval and while Ireland saw more of the ball in the second period, and very nearly crossed at the other end after an Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe midfield break, USA held them out and then finished with a flourish to tack on two further scores.

It was a disappointing start to the campaign for Ireland, who must now pick themselves back up ahead of Saturday’s clash against Australia (8.45am local time, 6.45am Irish time), before a final Pool outing against England (2.35pm local time, 12.35pm Irish time).