Darling, Team Canada golden
Canada’s women’s sevens beat U.S. to win Sydney Sevens Cup
Olympic bronze medallist Hannah Darling can add the Sydney Sevens Cup to her accomplishments after Canada’s women’s sevens team beat the United States 21-17 on Saturday in the final.
Darling, who grew up in Warsaw and played for the Peterborough Pagans, was in the starting seven for Canada at the tourney after several veterans from last summer’s Olympic team moved to Canada’s 15’s team.
“We played some great defence when it really counted, with everyone contributing,” head coach John Tait said. Thought Britt Benn and Hannah Darling really stood out and the whole group played smart. Although we weren’t as connected on attack as we can be the team found ways to win and I’m really proud of the effort.”
It’s the third World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series Cup victory for the Canadians, with title wins at the Amsterdam Sevens in 2015 and the Clermont Sevens in 2016.
“It was a 12-person effort. The defence over the last day has been building and it takes 12 people to win that and that’s exactly what we did,” said Canadian captain Ghislaine Landry.
The Americans jumped out to a 7-0 lead just three minutes in, but Charity Williams and Napanee’s Britt Benn responded with a try each to make it 14-7 Canada at the half.
With the score 14-12, Bianca Farella added Canada’s third try to put the game out of reach.
Naya Tapper scored three tries for the U.S.
Benn scored five tries in the tournament and was named to the tournament all-star team along with teammates Landry and Jen Kish.
Canada entered Sydney in sixth place in the Series standings through one event this season, but earned 20 points with its firstplace finish to jump ahead of Fiji, England and Russia into third.
“We know what we’re capable of,” said Landry. “Every tournament we look to [win]. Sometimes it doesn’t go as planned but we’re pretty happy with that and it’s not a surprise to us.”
New Zealand stays atop the Series standings after claiming the bronze medal in Sydney while
LAKEFIELD – Lakefield Hendren Funeral Homes Chiefs captain Eric Oosting has been named the most valuable player of the PJHL Orr Division for the 2016-17 season.
Lakefield’s Lyndon LeMoire was also named co-rookie of the year along with Jesse KingNorris of the Georgina Ice. Oosting, who is in his overage year, became the first player in Chiefs history to score 100 regular season goals. He also set a Chiefs record by eclipsing the 300 career regular season point mark earlier this season.
Oosting was named the division’s offensive player of the month for December.
“Eric defines what it means to be a Lakefield Chief, and we are thrilled to have him,” Chiefs general Hannah Darling of Canada competes at the lineout during the Women's Final match between Canada and USA in the 2017 HSBC Sydney Sevens at Allianz Stadium on Saturday in Sydney, Australia. Australia remains in second place after finishing fourth.
Canada advanced to the Cup final after defeating Australia 12-7 in the semifinals earlier in the day.
The Canadians began the day with a 26-5 win over Russia in the Cup quarter-finals.
It was a little bit of redemption for the Canadians, who were eliminated by Russia in the quarterfinals at the first event of the season in Dubai.
Canada entered Sydney in sixth place in the series standings manager Tyler Revoy stated. LeMoire, 17, currently sits seventh in Orr Division scoring with 45 points on the season.
“LeMoire brings a big body presence and has asserted himself as a game changer in the PJHL,” Revoy stated. “Lyndon brings a unique style of play to us. He uses his speed, size, and skill to dominate opponents.” Both players will receive their awards prior to Lakefield’s final home game Tuesday night. After the conclusion of the game, the Chiefs will be awarded with the regular season award for best record.
Tuesday’s game against the Clarington Eagles starts at 7:25 p.m. weather permitting and will be the Chiefs final student night. Students get in for $2.
The Chiefs have already clinched first place in the division. through one event this season, but after earning 20 points with their first place finish, they jumped ahead of Fiji, England and Russia into third.
New Zealand stays atop the series standings after claiming the bronze medal in Sydney, while Australia remain in second place just two points up on Canada after finishing fourth.
The next stop in the series is the Las Vegas Sevens in early March.
Results from the IRB Sydney Sevens rugby tournament on Saturday: Women Cup Final Canada 21, United States 17 Third Place New Zealand 19, Australia 0 Semifinals United States 19, New Zealand 12 Canada 12, Australia 7 Quarterfinals New Zealand 24, France 5 United States 17, Ireland 5 Australia 17, Fiji 5 Canada 26, Russia 5 Lakefield Chiefs' Eric Oosting looks for the puck against North Kawartha Knights' Ethan Coens and goalie James Hack during Junior C hockey action on Dec. 20 at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre. Oosting has been named the PJHL Orr Division's most valuable player for the 2016-17 season. p.m., SPSS @ LCVI (Lindsay Rec Complex) p.m., CDHS @ HHSS a.m., AA Qualifier @ ASCVI p.m., A Qualifier @ STA; AAA Qualifier @ IEW p.m., SMSS vs. CDHS (Campbellford Arena)