GB warm up for World Series with Elche win

Great Britain, lead by Emma Uren, with Giselle Mather as coach for the first time, and featuring eight players from their Paris Olympic squad, were unbeaten winners of the Elche 7s last weekend.

Six teams entered. As well as World Series teams Great Britain and hosts Spain, the tournament included Poland, Czechia, Germany and Belgium.

Great Britain recovered well from going behind twice against Poland in their opening game to win 28-19, but Spain fell to a surprise defeat in their opening game against Germany, who lead from gun to tape winning 26-19.

The rest of the first day was full of unpredictable results. Only Britain sailed through the day with three wins, and apart from them only Germany managed to win more than once.

Day two was a little different. Germany failed to win another game, and sank from second to end sixth overall. This allowed Spain to recover and end runners-up in the pool wins on the second day. Poland were a strong third with a positive points difference, while Czechia edged Germany into fourth.

Given how games had gone over the weekend it was perhaps no surprise to see the pool classifications overturned in two of the playoffs. First Belgium cam from behind to beat Germany at the death 14-12 for 5th place, Ambre Collet remaining calm for the winning kick.

Then Czechia blew away Poland four tries to one to take third, only allowing Poland a consolation try at the end.

The final started as if there might be another surprise as Spain scored in the opening minute. But Great Britain responded well, dominated most of the rest of the game, and ran out comfortable winners 22-5.

Results

Pool: Great Britain 28-19 Poland; Belgium 24-22 Czechia; Germany 26-19 Spain; Czechia 5-29 Great Britain; Poland 26-0 Germany; Spain 29-5 Belgium; Poland 12-26 Czechia; Great Britain 33-12 Spain; Germany 19-5 Belgium; Germany 17-22 Czechia; Spain 10-0 Poland; Belgium 5-36 Great Britain; Czechia 14-38 Spain; Poland 33-0 Belgium; Great Britain 33-0 Germany

5th Place: Germany 12-14 Belgium

3rd Place: Poland 5-20 Czechia

Final: Great Britain 22-5 Spain