Canada women post two wins while Canada’s men take it on the chin at Hong Kong Sevens
By The Canadian Press on April 5, 2024.
HONG KONG – Charity Williams, who missed last month’s Los Angeles stop on the HSBC SVNS rugby circuit due to injury, scored three tries Friday as Canada’s women opened the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens with a pair of wins. The 27-year-old from Toronto scored twice in Canada’s opening 24-5 victory over Japan and added another in a 14-7 win over Spain. The Canadians moved atop Pool C while awaiting a final group game against the unbeaten U.S. at Hong Kong Stadium. Chloe Daniels and Krissy Scurfield also scored tries for Canada against Japan with Daniels adding a pair of conversions. Sophie de Goede had the other try against Spain with Daniels and Olivia Apps contributing conversions. The Canadian women came to Hong Kong fifth overall in the standings with 62 points after five events. The Americans stand fourth, two points ahead. The Canadian men, last in the standings in 12th spot with 12 points, continue to struggle on the circuit with losses to No. 3 Fiji and No. 4 France on Friday. France led 10-0 at the half, adding three converted tries in the second half to win 31-0. Fiji then thumped Canada 45-5 with Canada’s Morgan Di Nardo scoring his first career series try. The Canadian men wrap up Pool A play against Australia. The slimmed-down sevens circuit features seven regular-season events, each featuring men’s and women’s competition, plus a grand final with promotion and relegation at stake. Canada’s men seem destined for a second straight relegation battle to retain their core status on the circuit. After Hong Kong, the teams go to Singapore before wrapping up the season in Madrid from May 31 to June 2. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2024. 11-10
