1 Apr 2013

New Zealand women win China Sevens

6:46 am on 1 April 2013

The New Zealand women's sevens rugby team has beaten England to claim their second IRB Women's Sevens World Series title of the season in China.

The New Zealanders defeated the Houston champions England 19-5 in the Cup final at Guangzhou to extend their lead at the top of the standings to eight points over England with just one event remaining - the Amsterdam Sevens - in May.

Kat Merchant had opened the scoring for England in the Cup final, but New Zealand struck back immediately through Ruby Tui before Kelly Brazier added another to make it 12-5 to New Zealand at half-time.

England tried to break down a well-organised New Zealand defence without success at the start of the second half and, as they tired, New Zealand took control.

With the England defence stretched, Brazier sprinted through a gap to score her second try of the final.