Commonwealth Games: NZ women sevens open with easy victory

Portia Woodman of New Zealand is tackled by Sheilla Charjira of Kenya (right) and Janet Okelo of Kenya during the New Zealand and Kenya Women Pool Round. Photo / AAP

The New Zealand women's sevens team opened their Commonwealth Games campaign last night with a thumping 45-0 win over Kenya that included a hat-trick to try-scoring machine Portia Woodman.

The Black Ferns Sevens outscored the African side seven tries to none, dominating possession and territory at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast.

The Kenyans never had possession in the New Zealand half. Woodman scored after 45 seconds after the kickoff when she beat three would-be tacklers, and Kelly Brazier then scored a long-range try when she split the Kenyans through the middle.

Gayle Broughton scored after an extended attack spread the Kenyans across the park to stretch the lead to 19-0 at halftime.

It took Woodman less than 45 seconds after the break to score her second, proving too fast and strong in a blitzing left-hand side run from inside her own half.

Two minutes later she repeated the dose on the right-hand side.

Niall Williams scored the Ferns' sixth try when she chased a kick and scored under the feet of the Kenyan defender in the in-goal area, grabbing her second when the Kiwis spread the ball to give her an overlap on the left-hand wing.

The Olympic silver medallists continue pool play today when the men also start their campaign.

- NZN