at the voltage difference meant it wouldnt work, was as bad news to some of the girls as losing their boots would have been.After struggling with lit

We won! Over two weeks on the road, two tournaments, 12 games of sevens, two different countries and finally we are heading home, but this time as winners! It has certainly been a while... we havent won a sevens tournament since Houston 2013. That probably sounds like a long time. Thats because it is.You forget about what making a final actually means. Once you have got over the heart palpitations of having to play a 20-minute final (six minutes longer than normal, which dont be fooled, is a long time), you also realise that you will get to walk out and sing your national anthem. Thats something easily taken for granted in the 15s format but a real sense of achievement and a very special moment at the end of a tournament.We knew we were onto something after Atlanta; the results, yes, but more importantly the performances and the way we were now playing the game.If you had watched us on day one in Langford, you would be forgiven for thinking Atlanta was somewhat of a fluke.Safe to say, some decent results but actually not necessarily performances we were proud of. As I said last time, sevens is a funny old game and thankfully for us, our day two performances turned out to be unbeatable. England dominated in the second half to conquer champions New Zealand 31-14 after trailing 14-7 Everyone always tries to look for patterns in good performances; how the warm-up was, were people quiet or loud, what songs were being played, what was the mood etc.If you carry on in the same vein, our key to success this tournament was all down to James Bay and coffee. Trekking our coffee machine halfway around the worl, only to find out that the voltage difference meant it wouldnt work, was as bad news to some of the girls as losing their boots would have been.After struggling with little or no coffee on day one because the tournament coffee was lukewarm and instant, day two was like Christmas when our performance manager and strength and conditioning coach wandered off to the local coffee shop.As a non-coffee drinker, the transformation was quite shocking... it was like giving oxygen to a dying flame, or heat to snow, or too much sugar to a child. We had turned from a slightly irritable dont talk to me unless you have to team into one full of life and exuberance.I am, obviously, exaggerating slightly but if thats what it takes, lets hope Rio does good coffee!The final was one hell of a game of sevens. I can happily admit that now, safe in the knowledge of the result and having recovered from what felt like my heart trying to escape my chest. Time for some team bonding after Englands Sevens triumph The first half was one of try-scoring ping pong. Theyd score then we would then they would etc... the one thing you want to do in a final is try to avoid looking at the big screen, as the clock is never going to be your friend.I made this mistake - the screen read seven minutes to go. Seven minutes to go when you are already exhausted is not what you want to see. That is the length of a normal half and I already felt like the treacle had taken hold of my legs.There comes a point in most games where you know that youve done it. Either there isnt enough time left or the score is too big; or in this game, a combination of the two.Kicking the ball off the field once the hooter had blown was such a relief... a relief for my body that is. It was also a relief that we had actually just proven what were capable of. We have now just made our lives a whole lot more difficult... backing it up.This was a long trip. Not in a bad way but two intense tournaments in as many weeks is a tough task mentally and physically. However, the most important thing is, we headed back to London carrying silverware and one happy team. Also See: SportsWomen Latest Show News Latest News SportsWomen Video Elie Okobo Jersey . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. Charles Barkley Jersey . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/george-king-suns-jersey/ . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Penny Hardaway Suns Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Dan Majerle Jersey SALT LAKE CITY -- The San Antonio Spurs have traded Boris Diaw and a second-round pick in 2022 to the Utah Jazz for Olivier Hanlan.The teams announced the deal after it became official Friday.Diaw is one of three veterans the Jazz brought in to bolster their roster for a playoff push next season after narrowly missing the postseason in 2016. The Jazz havent been in the playoffs since 2012.The team also signed Joe Johnson and acquired George Hill from the Pacers in a three-team trade that sent Jeff Teague from the Hawks to the Pacers.Diaw gives the Jazz a versatile 6-foot-8, 250-pound power forward who can play center in smaller lineups. The 13-year veteran averaged 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season while shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range.His passing ability is expected to fit well in the Jazzs scheme and general manager Dennis Lindsey said he instantly became one of the better passers on the team. Diaw is currently playing with the French national team and is good friends with Jazz center and fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert.Lindsey was in the San Antonio front office when they brought Diaw in from Charlotte during the 20111-12 season.ddddddddddddDiaw was a key member of the Spurs 2014 championship team.We felt like his passing, his unique style, situationally could provide us with a much different look, Lindsey said. We were pleased adding someone whos tough, physical, can really pass the ball, whos improved his distance shooting as well.Lindsey went into the offseason looking to add experienced depth, shooting, passing, physicality and players with a serious mindset. Roles have yet to be defined, but there is increased competition throughout the roster.Hanlan was a second-round pick by the Jazz in 2015 and he played last season with Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania. The 6-4, 186-pound point guard from Boston College was the No. 42 overall pick.The Jazz had a logjam at point guard, even before trading for Hill. They added another point guard, Marcus Paige, in the draft before moving Hanlan and trading away Trey Burke to the Washington Wizards for a 2021 second-round pick.The Jazz will also receive cash considerations in the Hanlan deal. ' ' '