Lady Volcanoes flex muscles

MANILA, Philippines — The First Pacific Philippine Lady Volcanoes swept their way to the title in the 2019 Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Trophy Sunday night in Jakarta to gain promotion to the top-flight Sevens Series.

The Filipinas went four-for-four in the two-day competition, shutting out Laos (24-0) and Qatar (27-0) to top Pool A action with six points then carried their fiery form in the round-robin Cup playoffs against India and Indonesia to earn a ticket to Asia’s elite sevens tournament next year.

The Lady Volcanoes stamped their class on the Indians, 19-12, behind tries from Ono Helena Indigne and Patrocinia Duffy, and sealed their drive for the title by taking maximum points in a 26-7 rout of the Indons with Aidee Denuyo, Jacqueline Ma Lyden and Indigne on scoring end.

“We are delighted to get to the top tier of sevens in Asia,” said Lady Volcano and World Rugby Council member Ada Milby, whose wards will battle the Continental powerhouses like Japan in the 2020 Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.

 “It was great to come out on top of such a competitive competition where all teams have improved so much,” added Milby.

The Lady Volcanoes scored redemption in the ARWST after settling for runner-up honors last time.