Day One at the Cape Town 7s was a good one for the USA women's team.
Playing a slightly more varied attack that included a few switch moves, some better pass-follow, and a few short balls, the Eagles beat Japan 19-14 in a game they had under control and Canada 24-7.
In fact, the difference between the two games was essentially the closing-out part. The USA led 19-7 late in both instances, but did a much, much better job if stifling any comeback against Canada, while Japan scored with a few ticks on the clock remaining.
The first try on the day was produced by Nicole Heavirland skating across to draw two defenders and then feeding a short ball to Kris Thomas, who did the rest. It's not a flashy play, but it's a play, and it worked. After winning the ball following the restart the Eagles sent it wide to Kristi Kirshe, who showed some of that agro of old and burst out of a tackle, fended off another, and pulled away from a third to score a very entertaining try. Kayla Canett converted and it was 14-0.
The Eagles kind of slowed down after that. Japan scored, exploiting a couple of penalties, but in the second half some smart footwork from Jaz Gray and a setup by Ilona Maher put Canett through. Japan scored at the end of the game but the Eagles won the restart and kicked to touch to end the game 19-14.
In the second game, the match looked to be a tight one, as usual, with Canada. Naya Tapper burst through for a trademark early try. Canada answered and it was 7-7. The teams battled back and forth and it wasn't until just at the end of the half that the USA took the lead—Kirshe again the catalyst as she cut through up the middle off a switch move with Maher for a 12-7 halftime advantage.
