6 Nations & USA Sevens:Canada wins the Battle of the Atlantic

Kelly Van Hartskamp (NED). Player of the tournament (IMHO).

A fantastic final in Las Vegas rounded off a remarkable weekend of international women's rugby.

Canada open the scoring early in the first half, only for Annemarije van Rossum to reply – and a great kick from the touchline puts Netherlands ahead with just the restart before the half-time break. But that single play was enough – a great run by Magali Harvey setting up a ruck near the Dutch line from which Barbara Mervin scores. Safely converted, that’s 12-7 to Canada at the break

Tyrolian Select win the "Spirit of the Las Vegas International"
award  - and will remember to check that paperwork
more closely next time!

It’s a really physical game now, but after some memorable exchanges it’s the Dutch who break the deadlock – Pien Selbeck in at the corner. No conversion this time, so 12-12.

And so it remains until – with seconds on the clock – Canada steal a Dutch lineout, Magili Harvey cuts inside… and scores! Conversion missed, but Canada do not care. The whistle goes, and Canada are the USA Sevens Champions!

In the third place game, its just as exciting. Spain go into the break 12-7 ahead, but France gradually whittle down the lead as the long weekend begins to wear the Spanish down. A penalty finally gives France the lead 15-12 entering the final minute. Spain break away with seconds to go - but the run is stop with yards to from the line. A desperate grubber kick, but France win the race to the ball, kick it into touch - and the whistle goes. France take third, and European Champions Spain must be content with fourth.

And next month they do it all again, at the Hong Kong Sevens.