The 2014-15 World Rugby Women's World Series has begun, and the USA kicked off the six-leg campaign with a 17-12 win over Russia at the Dubai 7s. The win marked the teams' fifth meeting and put the USA ahead 3-2 overall.

The USA didn't play a lot of offense, but used its pressure defense to produce turnovers and attack quickly. Russia received the opening kickoff and retained possession for the first two minutes, although the Eagles did well to push their opponent behind its 22. Russia's offloading game was working well, and a not-releasing penalty allowed the side to get near midfield. But a sturdy, consistent fight in the breakdown saw an under-staffed Russian ruck leave the ball exposed, and Lauren Doyle scooped it up for the USA's first touch of the ball. She handed it off to Vix Folayan, who took off down the touchline for the first of her two tries, 5-0.

An opportunisitic defense produced the next try as well. Doyle had been pushed out of bounds trying to take the corner and Russia was awarded the lineout near its 22. A clean receipt saw the jumper take a half-gap through the lineout, but Russia tried to keep it alive with some tight offloads. A miscue, however, saw a loose ball dribble towards Russia's try line, and Alev Kelter was right there for the pickup and dive-over try, 10-0.

But it was only a matter of time before Russia's more exciting offense was rewarded. After working downfield, the USA loosened up and Russia saw an opportunity to put the team's best finisher, Baizat Khamidova, into space. Folayan rushed up in defense to suffocate the movement, but some nice footwork saw the pass connect with Khamidova for an easy try, 10-5.

The second half evolved similarly, with some exception. On the positive end, the excellent cover defense of Folayan and Jessica Javelet was reiterated, and relied upon; and the Eagles continued to exert defensive pressure that produced scoring opportunities. On the other end of the spectrum, a couple of recurring errors looked like they were finally going to sting the USA. A couple of errant passes out wide and lost lineouts saw Russia charging through midfield. A missed tackle was going to be a try, if Folayan hadn't come to the rescue. But just when Russia felt good about its field position, an unforced error (a Russian ballcarrier tripped over her teammate) put the ball on the ground, and Amelia Villines recovered it. She put her head down for a couple of meters, and the ball worked out to Folayan, who stiffed her opposite and took off for about 75 meters. Villines made the conversion for the 17-5 lead.

Russia closed the gap immediately, showcasing again some great footback and flair for keeping the ball alive. The USA defense allowed Yulia Guzeva to ricochet off of the touchline looking for a gap, which she eventually found, stepping around Hannah Lopez for the score, 17-12.

The game ended on an unnecessary tense note, as Folayan attempted a cross-field kick in the USA's end with about 30 seconds to go. Russia corralled the lineout, worked the ball wide and threatened around the 22 meter. But Javelet snuck her foot into a breakdown and smartly kicked the ball out for the game-ender.

New Zealand's up next.