For Immediate Release
November 28, 2008

U.S. Women Lose First Two Matches in Dubai Sevens, but Make Comeback on Second Day

DUBAI – In the first day of action in the International Women’s Sevens Tournament in Dubai, on Thursday, the U.S. Women loss their first two games, falling to defending champions, the Saudex Wooden Spoon Team, as well as England’s Sporting Chance Foundation side.

In the first game of the day, the U.S held the Saudex Wooden Spoon women to just 12 points, but were unable to put any points on their own side of the board, falling 12-0 to last year’s champions. Shortly thereafter the Sporting Chance Team beat the U.S. side 34-7.

“We stayed with England in the first half (halftime score was 14-7), but they outplayed us in the second, making some key adjustments,” Women’s Coach Jules McCoy said. “Wooden Spoon caught us asleep in our early morning game, and we definitely underperformed. We missed too many tackles yesterday, but were able to improve on our defensive system today."

The U.S. made a comeback in the second day of the tournament, advancing into the Cup round by beating the Aylesford Bulls, 35-0, then defeating Russia in the quarterfinal, 36-0.

"I know the players are eager to prove to our fans that all the training we have done is paying off,” McCoy added. “We may be taking the long way around to the semifinals, but we are here, and we are enjoying it.”

The U.S. Women will play the Saudex Wooden Spoon team again on Saturday, in the semifinals at noon, while Sporting Chance Foundation will take on Rugby Canada at 11:40 a.m. in the other semifinal match. The winners will compete at 3:50 p.m. for the Championship.

Dubai Sevens
International Women

Results – Day 1

Saudex Wooden Spoon 12, USA Women 0

Sporting Chance Foundation 39, Aylesford Bulls 0

Slavyanka 28, Pink Ba-bas 0

Saudex Wooden Spoon 50, Aylesford Bulls 0

Irish Vixens 19, WOP Netherlands 0

Sporting Chance Foundation 34, USA Women 7

RGUTIS – Podmoskovie 24, Slavyanka 5

Rugby Canada 24, Irish Vixens 0

Rugby Canada 33, WOP Netherlands 5

Results - Day 2
RGUTIS – Podmoskovie 40, Pink Ba-bas 7
Sporting Chance Foundation 19, Saudex Wooden Spoon 0

USA Women 36, Aylesford Bulls 0
Sporting Chance Foundation 38, Pink Ba-bas 0
Rugby Canada 38, Slavyanka 5
Saudex Wooden Spoon 19, Irish Vixens 7
USA Women 35, RGUTIS – Podmoskovie 0
WOP Netherlands 25, Aylesford Bulls 7

For more information, please visit www.dubairugby7s.com or contact Sara John at sjohn@....

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