Griffin kicks late conversion to seal seventh place for Women’s Eagles Sevens

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The Women’s Eagles Sevens defeated Brazil 26-24 to finish in seventh at the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens Friday. Kelly Griffin scored 16 points in the win, including the final conversion to put the Eagles ahead.

Victoria Folayan, who sat out an earlier match due to a yellow card suspension, scored the Eagles’ first try in the third minute. Griffin followed it up with her first try in the fifth minute.

Brazil’s Edna Santini drew her side within a converted try in the sixth minute, but Griffin replied before the end of the first half to give the Eagles breathing room.

Brazil scored three unanswered tries from Mariana Ramalho, Julia Sarda and Paula Ishibashi to take a 24-19 lead with only seconds remaining in the match. It took an extra two minutes, but USA Rugby AIG Women’s Collegiate All-American Rebekah Siebach scored the tying try, setting up Griffin for the match-winning conversion, which she made.

The Eagles had earlier lost to England in the Plate Semifinal, even though they took a 10-0 lead into halftime. The two missed conversions proved costly, as England scored two tries and converted one to come away with the win.

With eight points and a seventh-place finish, the Eagles are still in good stead with five legs remaining in the second IRB Women’s Sevens World Series. Purchase tickets for the second leg – Atlanta 7s – at Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University Feb. 15-16.

Women’s Eagles Sevens | v Brazil
1. Jillion Potter
2. Kelly Griffin
3. Kathryn Johnson
4. Deven Owsiany
5. Lauren Doyle
6. Liz Sowers
7. Victoria Folayan
8. Lorrie Clifford
9. Dana Meschisi
10. Rebekah Siebach
11. Amelia Villines
12. Megan Bonny

Women’s Eagles Sevens | v England
1. Jillion Potter
2. Kelly Griffin
3. Kathryn Johnson
4. Deven Owsiany
5. Lauren Doyle
6. Liz Sowers
7. Victoria Folayan
8. Lorrie Clifford
9. Dana Meschisi
10. Rebekah Siebach
11. Amelia Villines
12. Megan Bonny

View the full schedules and results of Dubai 7s here.