Rugby Sevens: Black Ferns secure world series league crown with victory over Australia in Singapore final

Black Ferns Sevens have clinched the world series league crown with a 31-21 victory over Australia in the Singapore tournament final.

Michaela Blyde scored a hattrick of tries, as she purses teammate Portia Woodman-Wickliffe for the all-time series record, while Jorja Miller proved a matchwinner in general play, as the NZ women overcame a halftime deficit to run away in the second half.

The rival teams entered the event tied atop the world series table and both progressed unbeaten through poolplay and knockout rounds at Singapore, setting up a fitting finale for the season title. 

Blyde opened the scoring, when she was put into space on her own 22 and outpaced rival Teagan Levi in a straight footrace to the tryline.

Maddison Levi quickly responded to level the contest and a series of penalties allowed Australia to take the lead through Isabella Nasser.

Woodman-Wickliffe could not take the kickoff cleanly, but the Aussies immediately turned it over and from the scrum, fast hands beat the advancing defence for Blyde to grab a second. The missed conversion gave Australia a 14-12 halftime advantage.

From the restart, Miller forced a mistake from Nasser and carried downfield for Blyde to secure her hattrick, as Aussie captain Madison Ashby left the field injured.

Miller created another try, when she offloaded to Woodman-Wickliffe, who was caught metres out, but released and regathered to score. Miller then stole the ball at a ruck and Stacey Waaka scored the try that made the contest - and dual titles - safe.

Maddison Levi's try in the dying seconds did little to dent the celebrations.

Black Ferns Sevens 31 (Blyde 3, Woodman-Wickliffe, Waaka tries; Pouri-Lane 3 conversions) Australia 21 (M.Levi 2, Nasser tries; Hinds 2 & du Toit conversions) 

More to come

Black Ferns Sevens have clinched the world series league crown with a 31-21 victory over Australia in the Singapore tournament final.

Michaela Blyde scored a hattrick of tries, as she purses teammate Portia Woodman-Wickliffe for the all-time series record, while Jorja Miller proved a matchwinner in general play, as the NZ women overcame a halftime deficit to run away in the second half.

The rival teams entered the event tied atop the world series table and both progressed unbeaten through poolplay and knockout rounds at Singapore, setting up a fitting finale for the season title. 

Blyde opened the scoring, when she was put into space on her own 22 and outpaced rival Teagan Levi in a straight footrace to the tryline.

Maddison Levi quickly responded to level the contest and a series of penalties allowed Australia to take the lead through Isabella Nasser.

Woodman-Wickliffe could not take the kickoff cleanly, but the Aussies immediately turned it over and from the scrum, fast hands beat the advancing defence for Blyde to grab a second. The missed conversion gave Australia a 14-12 halftime advantage.

From the restart, Miller forced a mistake from Nasser and carried downfield for Blyde to secure her hattrick, as Aussie captain Madison Ashby left the field injured.

Miller created another try, when she offloaded to Woodman-Wickliffe, who was caught metres out, but released and regathered to score. Miller then stole the ball at a ruck and Stacey Waaka scored the try that made the contest - and dual titles - safe.

Maddison Levi's try in the dying seconds did little to dent the celebrations.

Black Ferns Sevens 31 (Blyde 3, Woodman-Wickliffe, Waaka tries; Pouri-Lane 3 conversions) Australia 21 (M.Levi 2, Nasser tries; Hinds 2 & du Toit conversions) 

More to come

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