The women’s Asian Games rugby 7s final was an enthralling affair as China held off a late surge from Japan to win 14-12 and claim the Gold medal that eluded them at home in 2010. In Japanese sub Yoko Suzuki scored a try right at the death but it was overturned by the referee for a forward pass and Japan had to settle for the silver, their first medal in Asian Games women’s rugby competition.
Kazakhstan won the bronze medal defeating Hong Kong 12-0, who had beaten them in the group stages. “We turned over too much ball and you can’t win a game unless you have possession,” said a disappointed Rose Fong, one of the stalwarts of the Hong Kong side.
China had earlier run in four tries past Kazakhstan to book their finals berth with a 24-12 victory while Japan warded off a spirited Hong Kong side winning the other semi-final 17-10 after leading 7-0 at the break.
Thailand hammered Singapore 38-7 to take fifth place in the women’s competition, with Uzbekistan edging Malaysia 12-5 to claim the seventh spot overall. Hosts South Korea beat Laos 34-0 to take ninth in the ten team women’s competition.
For full results of the 2014 Asian Games Rugby Sevens competition visit www.incheon2014ag.org
Additional reporting HKRFU, Photo: Power Sport Images for HKRFU