NZ women begin in style

GOLD COAST: The New Zealand women’s sevens team is looking ominous in its opening matches of the Commonwealth Games with two big wins over pool opponents.

In its first match, Portia Woodman scored a hattrick as it ran in seven tries in a 450 thumping of Kenya at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast.

She followed that with a brace as New Zealand then scored another seven tries to overrun South Africa 410.

The South Africans were caught napping at a penalty when they conceded their first try to Black Ferns captain Sarah Goss, who strolled over from the 22.

Woodman then scored from halfway when she beat one tackler on the right flank and had too much pace for the cover.

Michaela Blyde and Gayle Broughton scored just before halftime when they were given space to outflank the defence.

Leading 220 at halftime, Woodman scorched down the lefthand touch from beyond halfway for her second. She was benched before tries to Niall Williams and Kelly Brazier rounded out the scoring.

The Ferns, the silver medallists from the Rio Olympics, were not perfect, with two passes going missing when tries on, but they were too fast and strong on attack and dominated possession.

Canada appears to be the next strongest side in the pool after beating South Africa 290 and then Kenya 2412. New Zealand and Canada meet today. — NZN