The USA women finished up their opening round of games at the Perth 7s with a loss and a win, but are probably in a good position to make the quarterfinals.
The Eagles lost 19-14 to Ireland in a game that they probably should have won, but key mistakes at key moments hurt them. Tey followed that up with a fairly clear 33-5 defeat of Japan, but if you're being pessimistic, you might look at their lack of scoring in the second half as an issue considering that quarterfinal places, especially for third-place teams, depends on points difference.
USA vs Ireland
In a tense, back-and-forth game, the Eagles opened up scoring when Kristi Kirshe forced a penalty in the breakdown. The Eagles worked the ball patiently until off a somewhat loose pass Ilona Maher shoved away a defender and found Kirshe smartly coming around to her right and popped and offload. Kirshe raced off under the posts and the Eagles led 7-0.
But Ireland has danger runners and after they caught the Eagle defense a little out of their shape, speedster Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe took off about 70 meters and in under the sticks to equalize.
The Eagles didn't respond well to this. They started forcing passes and allowing Ireland to dictate terms when it came to when they engaged contact, and their continuity suffered. But they did have a chance to break out only for Sam Sullivan to be unable to handle the pass on the wing.
Ireland were in a good scoring position, and while they misfired themselves, eventually off a scrum they went wide to Murphy Crowe. Naya Tapper and Kayla Cannet had her in their sights but couldn't contain her. Try Ireland and Ireland led 14-7.
In the second half the Eagles broke out of their own end with Alena Olsen setting up Kirshe. While Kirshe covered about 50 meters, she was clearly going to be caught and she smartly stayed out of contact and looked to pass to Jaz Gray. It wasn't a good pass and what seemed like a likely try didn't happen. However, moments later, with Ireland penalized for no tackler release, Gray took a nice tip pass from Sullivan, sold a sidestep, and was gone to tie it up 14-14.
Ireland sealed it though due to a couple of penalties and a couple of USA mistakes. Spiff Sedrick tried to rip the ball free from an Ireland runner, but the runner's knee had already touched the ground—penalty for no tackler release but really this was a penalty of impatience. Sedrick just needed to let the tackle happen and keep defending. Ireland opted for the scrum and when Sedrick slipped while changing the direction Megan Burns raced through the gap. Alev Kelter's chase made sure the conversion was a tough one (and it was missed), but the Eagles were now behind.
When Maher dropped the restart, it seemed all over, but the Eagles got one final shot after a penalty at the ensuing scrum. Ireland defended well and the USA kept their passes going. However, when Kirshe was isolated she was penalized for holding on and Ireland had their victory.
