In sweltering heat, Wales Women got out of the blocks in electrifying fashion with a 33-10 victory over Tuks Ladies before keeping a clean sheet in their second game when brushing aside West Coast Vikings 27-0.
France Development proved one step too far with Wales defeated 38-7 but they had already done enough to qualify for the main knockout draw tomorrow – which is something they failed to do in last year’s tournament.
Robyn Wilkins pulled the strings well for Wales while Beth Dainton showed ruthless finishing prowess with some well taken tries while Rhian Nokes also impressed on a day where Wales showed plenty of potential.
“Today proved a real eye-opener for the girls as there was a significant step up in intensity in all areas of the game. The pace of the game was much faster with a lot of teams in this tournament possessing World Series experience. One of those teams, South Africa, now stands between us and a semi-final spot.
“To finish in the top six has to be our objective now but if we can beat South Africa, we would reach the semi-finals.
“At this stage last year, we were already knocked out and dropped down to the lower competition but if the girls go into the game against South Africa tomorrow with no fear and fully focused with the job at hand, then a top six finish is definitely a possibility.”
Wales Women’s 7s squad
Jess Kavanagh (Caernarfon/Scarlets)
Sinead Breeze (Skewen/Ospreys)
Kerin Lake (Skewen/Ospreys)
Robyn Wilkins (Llandaff North/Ospreys)
Ffion Bowen (Maesteg Celtic/Ospreys)
Sian Williams (Worcester/Dragons – Capt)
Beth Dainton (Bristol/Dragons)
Alisha Butchers (Penybanc/Scarlets)
Rhian Nokes (Maesteg Celtic/Ospreys)
Elen Evans (Caernarfon/Scarlets)
Gemma Rowland (Wasps/Dragons)
Melissa Clay (Pencoed/Ospreys)
