Lady Volcanoes make it to finals

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Lady Volcanoes scored a 32-27 victory over India to advance to the gold medal match of the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship Division 1 tournament last Wednesday at Southern Plains in Laguna.

The home side leaned on the exploits of Happy Denuyo, Maia Sobejana, Jheewel Idea, Riclaire Martinez and Janine Jamieson to fend off the vastly-improved Indians and get themselves in play for the Division 1 title against China, which dethroned 2018 winner Singapore with a 59-7 demolition in their side of the semis.

The Filipinas go for the crown on Saturday against the Chinese, aiming for a victory that will keep them in contention in the qualifiers for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.  Winner of the ARWC Division 1 will earn the right to play Kazakhstan in a playoff for a spot in the top-flight of next year’s Asia Rugby Women’s Championship, where a place in  the marquee world meet in New Zealand awaits the victors.

The Lady Volcanoes seized a 15-10 lead at the half and quashed the tough challenge of the Indians, who knocked in four tries in the exciting semis duel.

“I was so proud of how the girls dug deep in the match,” said Phl hooker Ada Milby, who bucked a broken nose to finish the 80-minute game. 

“India were an amazing opponent and they have really improved over the last 12 months. China looked good against Singapore so Saturday’s final is likely to be a thriller,” she added.