Limerick 7s: New York Advances, SFGG Stumbles On Day One

The odds of both SFGG and New York making the Cup quarterfinals at the Limerick 7s after dropping each of their two matches was remote. However, it was still very possible if each had won their last match and received help elsewhere. Only New York was able to accomplish that as they were the last team to sneak into the quarterfinals after beating Saracens 28-5. They only advanced as the last team because Stade Francais and the Waratahs played to a surprising draw that cost both teams the quarterfinals. SFGG failed to win their last match, losing to Moscow 24-0. They will now have to settle for the Bowl.

Knowing they needed help New York came out attacking against Saracens. That attacking play wasn't rewarded early as a few errors cost them opportunities. However, they were eventually rewarded with a risky pass from Will Holder found Carlin Isles who wasted no time in burning past the Saracens defender for the try. Isles was so for in front of the Saracens that he walked in from the 22 meter line.

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But as soon as New York took the lead Saracens came right back. Tom Griffiths put in a banana kick that was recovered and soon passed back to Griffiths who would stretch for the try. The conversion missed and New York led 7-5. New York would increase their lead soon after when Seamus Kelly made a nice run and offload to Colton Cariaga who scored. With the conversion New York led 14-5 at the half.

The second half began with a lot of back and forth. Both teams had trouble holding on to the ball and getting going on offense in what was very sloppy play. New York stayed with it and when Holder scored just before time it sealed the win. Still needing a bonus point New York kept fighting after the hooter and eventually earned their reward when Evin O'Driscoll scored in the corner. Holder's fantastic conversion made it 28-5.

SFGG needed a win in their last match but instead were done in by simple errors and missed tackles. Golden Gate found themselves pinned down near their own line early after a botched kick off. That eventually resulted in Moscow gaining the ball and scoring to take an early 7-0 lead. They then earned their second try off poor tackling to take a 12-0 into the half.

Showing tired legs SFGG were unable to get much going in the second half and gave up a quick try. They tried to fight back as best they could the rest of the half but Moscow, realizing they needed a bonus point, pushed hard and eventually earned one last try.

Teams advancing to the quarterfinals along with New York are: Auckland, Munster, Moscow, Daveta, Vancouver, Western Province, and the Blue Bulls.  Teams in the Shield include San Francisco, Saracens, Waratahs, and Stade Francais.


Day Two Match-ups

Shield Semi-finals

Saracens vs. Stade Francais
Waratahs vs. SFGG

Cup Quarterfinals

Auckland vs. Moscow
Munster vs. Daveta
Blue Bulls vs. Vancouver
Western Province vs. New York