New Zealand increased their lead at the top of the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series standings to 10 points after an enthralling 17-14 victory over Canada in the final of the inaugural HSBC Kitakyushu Sevens in Japan on Sunday.
Bay of Plenty players Michaela Blyde and Kelly Brazier played key roles in the win. The Black Ferns Sevens twice had to come from behind in the title decider and only hit the front when Michaela Blyde went over in the right corner with time up on the clock, sparking wild celebrations on the New Zealand bench.
In only their third meeting in a Cup final - and first since Atlanta in 2014 - it was Canada who went into the final arguably as favourites having enjoyed record wins over both Russia and Australia en route, scoring 74 points and conceding none.
Canada's Hannah Darling raced away and, despite being tap-tackled by Portia Woodman, managed to touch down for a 7-0 lead. A moment of magic from Niall Williams, where she scooped up a pass from Canada captain Ghislaine Landry and ran in under the posts, ensured the teams went into halftime locked at 7-7 after Tyla Nathan-Wong's conversion.
Kish then edged Canada ahead once more, but only briefly as the HSBC Player of the Final Woodman charged the length of the pitch to score her seventh try of the tournament.