Johnston helps GB Royals lift plate in Kazan

Tries in every match from Scotland Women player Stephanie Johnston helped Great Britain Women Royals win the Plate final at the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Sevens Series in Kazan. Johnston, who has been supported by Scottish Rugby to train full-time with the GB training squad since October, crossed the whitewash in all six matches and scored twice in the final against Spain, after her side was knocked out of the Cup competition by their GB counterparts.The GB Lions finished day one at the top of Pool C after an exemplary first day in Kazan, conceding no points over the course of three games. However a disappointing 17-19 loss against hosts Russia in the semi-final prevented them contesting the overall title.Following their semi-final disappointment, where Russia clinched the spoils in the dying seconds, GB Lions came back fighting to beat Ireland 32-0 for third.Head coach Simon Middleton said: “Obviously I am disappointed as we came here with the intention of winning. The Lions played really well in five games but failed to execute to our standards in the Russia game.”GB Royals finished day one second in Pool A, having found eventual winners France too good, losing 7-31, while beating the Netherlands (19-10) and Finland (44-0). Following their quarter-final loss, they faced Portugal in the semis and a hat-trick and two converted tries from Emily Scott, plus two tries from Megan Jones and one from Johnston, secured an easy 36-0 path into the Plate final.Of the Royals, Middleton said: “The overall depth of quality in the squad was reflected in the quarter final game between the two sides where no quarter was asked or given.The quality in the Royals side is reflected in the semi and final scores that resulted in them lifting five percent on a more regular basis as that is what will be needed to medal in Rio.”GB RoyalsKeira Bevan, Natasha Brennan, Rachael Burford (C), Sioned Harries, Megan Jones, Stephanie Johnston, Fran Matthews, Marlie Packer, Emily Scott , Michaela Staniford, Sian Williams, Kay WilsonPlate finalRoyals 44 – 0 Spain?Tries: Packer, Johnston (2), Wilson (2), Staniford, Jones (2)?Conversions: Scott (2)Plate semi-final resultRoyals 36 – 0 Portugal?Tries: Jones (2), Scott (3), Johnston?Conversions: Jones, Scott (2) Quarter-final resultRoyals 5 – 25 Lions?Try: JohnstonPool A resultsRoyals 19 – 10 Netherlands?Tries: Johnston, Burford, Matthews?Conversion: Scott (2)Royals 7 – 31 France?Tries: Johnston?Conversions: ScottRoyals 44 – 0 Finland?Tries: Harries, Jones (2), Staniford, Johnston, Wilson (2), Williams?Conversions: Jones (2)GB LionsClaire Allan, Abbie Brown, Heather Fisher, Vicky Fleetwood, Natasha Hunt, Jasmine Joyce, Sarah Mckenna, Katy Mclean, Alice Richardson (C), Danielle Waterman, Jo Watmore, Amy Wilson HardyThird place resultLions 32 – 0 Ireland?Tries: Fleetwood (2), Brown, Allan, Watmore (2)?Conversions: MckennaSemi-final resultLions 17 – 19 Russia?Tries: Watmore, Richardson (2)?Conversions: RichardsonQuarter-final resultRoyals 5 – 25 Lions?Tries: Joyce, Mclean, Hunt, Wilson Hardy?Conversions: Mclean (2)Pool C resultsLions 48 – 0 Ukraine?Tries: Joyce (3), Allan, Brown (2), Fisher (2)?Conversions: Mclean, Richardson (2), FleetwoodLions 40 – 0 Portugal?Tries: Fisher, Wilson Hardy (2), Hunt, Mckenna, Brown?Conversions: Mckenna (2), Mclean (2), BrownLions 62 – 0 Spain?Tries: Fisher, Waterman, Brown, Joyce (2), Mckenna, Watmore, Allan (2), Hunt?Conversions: Mclean (3), Mckenna (3), Richardson