Volcanoes silenced in World Cup, eye Bowl title

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Volcanoes got wiped out of the Melrose Cup competition after getting swept in the Pool C of the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, Russia.

The Volcanoes, who made it to the world’s biggest stage of Rugby Sevens for the first time in history, were decimated by much experienced and stronger sides.

After absorbing a 45-5 rout at the hands of fifth seed Kenya in their debut Friday night at Luzhniki Stadium, the Volcanoes were silenced by fourth seed Samoa, 29-0, on Saturday morning then suffered a meltdown against the 17^th seed Zimbabwe, 19-7, in the afternoon.

In their final Pool C match, the Volcanoes tried to salvage some pride when Oliver Saunders put them ahead, 7-0, with a conversion in the opening minutes.

But just when they thought the breakthrough victory is forthcoming, Zimbabwe came back and used their experience   to turn the tide.

The Cheetahs, who were the 2009 Bowl winners, banked on the efforts of Wesley Mbanje, Tangai Nemadire and Fortune Chipendu to get back into the thick of things. A Nemadire conversion pushed Zimbabwe on the driver’s seat, 14-7, just before the break.

The Volcanoes failed to erupt in the second half leading to the loss that kept them winless in Pool C with -81 point difference. 

After the pool competitions, all the teams will be re-grouped in three according to their standings with all the top teams and the two best second place teams advancing to compete for the Melrose Cup, the most prestigious title in the 24-nation tournament.  The lower ranked teams will be relegated to the consolation rounds where the Plate and the Bowl titles are up for grabs.

The Volcanoes finished fourth in Pool C relegating them to the lower rung of the consolation round where all the fourth placed teams in each pool and the fifth and sixth best third teams slugging it out for the Bowl title.

The Volcanoes are hoping to use the World Cup experience to land a medal in the Asian Games and possibly make it to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil where Rugby 7's will make its debut.