The USA women’s team finished the season-opening Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens by accomplishing their first major objective – to blood new players and expose them to the level of international competition they should expect moving forward.

The US went into the second day with an early 19-0 loss to the Wooden Spoons in the quarterfinal of the Cup bracket.

That sent the women on to the Plate bracket where they faced Kenya in the semifinals.

Winning that second match 28-0, the USA then faced Rugby Ecosse, from Scotland, in the finals. They ended up falling in that match 15-5, but finished the tournament 3-4 overall.

“This young squad improved today,” coach Sue Parker said.

“The competition here was very good and provided exactly the type of hard core international sevens experience we need to develop. These players have a much better notion now of what will be expected of them at this level.”

The team returns home following this tournament and will prepare for the next international women’s event February 11-13, in Las Vegas.

US women’s results:
Pool Play
France 21, USA 12
USA 12, Moscow Region 7
Tuks 14, USA 12
USA 22, Bangkok 7

Bracket Play
Wooden Spoons 19, USA 0 – Quarterfinal Cup
USA 28, Kenya 0 – Plate Semifinals
Rugby Ecosse 15, USA 5 – Plate Finals