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Black Ferns Sevens continue scintillating form, smash French rivals off the park to seal Japan title

April 22, 2018

The Black Ferns Sevens have added to their Commonwealth Games gold, defeating France 24-12 to seal another title win at the Japan Seven in Kitakyushu.

New Zealand got off to the perfect start, with Michaela Blyde scoring her seventh try of the weekend to put the Black Ferns Sevens in front with just 30 seconds of the match gone.

However, France would hit back late in the first half, with Camille Grassineau going over from close range, with a successful conversion levelled the scores before the break.

New Zealand weren't to be outdone though, with Theresa Fitzpatrick slicing the French defence to pieces in the final seconds of the first half, giving the Black Ferns Sevens a 12-7 lead at the break.

The second half would begin poorly for New Zealand, with Gayle Broughton shown a yellow card to reduce the Kiwis to six players.

Montserrat Amedee made the most of the French numerical advantage, scoring a try before a missed conversion locked the scores at 12-apiece.

Try scoring machine Portia Woodman grabbed her 171st career try, and 29th of the season, soon after to put New Zealand back in front with a sublime solo effort from deep inside her own half.

Tyla Nathan-Wong sealed the result with just a minute to go, with an individual kick and chase seeing her go over for another try.

That would be the final scoring play of the match, with the siren going shortly after as the Black Ferns Sevens claimed their second straight Japanese title.

The victory sees New Zealand second in the World Series standings, six points behind current leaders Australia.

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