China successfully defended their Asian Women's Sevens
Championship title with a comfortable 26-10 victory over Kazakhstan
in the final before an enthusiastic home crowd in Guangzhou.
Thirteen nations took part in the two day tournament with
Korea and Philippines making their debut and reflecting the growth
in Asian Sevens since the sport's inclusion in the Olympic
Games programme from 2016.
The tournament also served as a test event for the Asian
Games in Guangzhou on 21-23 November, which will include a
women's event alongside the men's for the first time with
the hosts a favourite to claim the first gold medal.
China's successful defence of the title they first won in
Thailand last year was never in doubt after they scored early in
the final against Kazakhstan, Asia's representatives at
Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 next month.
Kazakhstan's entire 12-strong squad in Guangzhou will
travel to England for Women's Rugby World Cup 2010, which
begins on 20 August and will see Asia's top 15-a-side team face
the hosts, Ireland and USA in Pool B.
The two finalists had looked impressive on day one, China
overcoming the challenge of Hong Kong 39-7 and the Philippines 36-0
to top Pool A as Kazakhstan shut out Singapore 34-0 and India 36-0
in Pool C.
The two other Pool winners were Thailand, who overcame
Chinese Taipei 36-0 and Korea 47-0, in Pool B and a relatively
untested Japanese team beating Malaysia 52-0, Laos 48-0 and
Uzbekistan 22-12.
Only Thailand conceded any points in their quarter final as
the fancied sides all reached the last four, where China would play
2008 winners Japan and Kazakhstan face the Thais for a place in the
title decider.
China, the Bowl winners at RWC Sevens 2009 in Dubai, overcame
a plucky Japanese outfit who had come into the tournament unseeded
after not playing in last year's Asian Women's Sevens
Championship 19-7 with Kazakhstan then ending Thailand's hopes
with a 25-10 success.
Thailand bounced back from that disappointment to beat Japan
19-0 to claim the bronze medal with the remaining places from fifth
occupied by Hong Kong, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan,
Philippines, Malaysia, India, Laos and Korea.
