Women's Rugby: China settle scores with Kazakhstan

Tournament favourites China thrashed Asian Games gold medallists Kazakhstan 31-12 to win the inaugural Asian Women's Rugby 7's Championship at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi on Sunday.

China, who lost to Kazakhstan in the final of the Asian Games last year, dominated from the start. The strong running of flanker Gao Yan saw her regularly break the Kazakh defensive line as China established a 15-0 lead at half time.

Kazakhstan attempted a determined comeback with a try from Olga Kim and Sretlana Klyuchnikora, but full back Wang Qian Li sealed the game with solitary run from the left flank for China.

China, who remained undefeated in the championship, kicked off their knockout round campaign with a 41-0 win over hosts India. Gao Yan scored a hat-trick for her team, while Yao Ji Yan and Yang Hong scored a try each.

India settled for an eighth place finish after they lost all their games on the final day of the two-day championship.

After being outclassed by China, the hosts were handed a 34-0 hammering by Hong Kong in the plate semifinal. In the seventh place playoff, India, led by Pune girl Surabhi Date, lost 5-29 to Singapore.

Meanwhile, Japan beat Thailand 17-7 in a third place playoff thriller, while Hong Kong emerged as the plate winners.

Results: Final: China 31 bt Kazakhstan 12; 3-4 place: Japan 17 bt Thailand 7; 5-6 place: Hong Kong 24 bt Chinese Taipei 10; 7-8 place: India 5 lost to Singapore 29; 9-10 place: Iran 7 bt South Korea 5; 11-12 place: Malaysia 0 bt Lao 7