In the women’s competition Asian Games gold and silver medallists Japan and China recorded 100% records on day one of the competition in Hong Kong.
The Sakura Sevens impressed in their opening match winning 48-0 against Korea with captain Chiharu Nakamura scoring four tries in the win.
In their second match against hosts Hong Kong Japan struggled to break down a tough defence, but finally got off the mark through Nakamura’s fifth of the day.
Honoka Tsutsumi and Yume Hirano, who scored the try that claimed gold in the Asian Games, added salt to the wound with two more tries in the first half as Japan ran away with the match.
In the second half Tsutsumi added a second of the match before Hong Kong gave the crowd something to cheer in the 31-5 defeat with a try for Pak Yan Poon with Raichelmiyo Bativakalolo scoring Japan’s fifth try.
China, who will play in this season’s World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, also got off to a strong start, beating Singapore 36-0 with Huihui Zhang and Qi Su both scoring doubles.
In perhaps the day’s most entertaining match Gu YaoYao scored the winning try against Kazakhstan. Having trailed 14-0 the bronze medalists in Jakarta, Kazakhstan, scored twice to level the scores but it was China who won the battle through YaoYao.
Elsewhere Sri Lanka won a sensational encounter against Singapore 17-0 thanks to three wonderful tries from Ayesha Mithuga, Randika Mahadura and Kumari Nahelmage.
With this year’s women’s event a three round affair, teams know there are places up for grabs at the Kitakyushu Sevens and Hong Kong qualifier based on their performances in Hong Kong, Korea and Sri Lanka.
Day two will see the final round of pool matches before the semi finals and the first champion crowned and all matches can be seen live on Asia Rugby’s Facebook page.
Asia Rugby Sevens Series Main Page>> Link
Results
Pool D
Kazakhstan 36-0 Sri Lanka
China 36-0 Singapore
Sri Lanka 17-5 Singapore
China 19-14 Kazakhstan
Pool C
Hong Kong 22-7 Thailand
Japan 48-0 Korea
Thailand 24-12 Korea
Japan 31–5 Hong Kong
