Unbeaten start at Vegas Sevens
ENGLAND Sevens made it two wins from two on day one of the World Series event in Las Vegas.
It was an impressive start from England on the opening day as they ran in six tries in the 40-12 win over Canada, before a 33-12 victory over Wales including a hat-trick scored by Tom Bowen.
England’s final group game is against world champions South Africa, who have also won two from two, to decide who will top the group.
“Today saw two good performances from the boys – I’m really pleased with the effort and the attitude against a couple of quite challenging teams,” said England Sevens captain Tom Mitchell.
“Canada and Wales both came out with pretty tough performances so it was good to get those two wins under our belts and we’re excited to rest up and go again tomorrow.”
In the build-up to the tournament, head of England Sevens Simon Amor spoke about being playing with ‘accuracy and excitement’ and England got off to the perfect start against Canada with Phil Burgess crossing after the first minute.
Richard de Carpentier’s first try and Ollie LindsayHague’s long range score put England 21-12 up at the break in what was looking like a tight contest.
However, three further second half tries saw England pull away as de Carpentier, Tom Bowen and Tom Mitchell, who slotted five conversions, all went over.
It was another flying start that got England off and running against Wales, with Bowen crossing after 90 seconds from a looping Mitchell pass.
Bowen’s second came after he chased his own kick forward and was able to dot down after some smart footwork and his hattrick was off a superb cut back line from another Mitchell pass to sprint into the corner – his fourth try in two games.
England led 21-5 at halftime, but Luke Morgan’s score just after the interval put Wales back in the contest before the men in white showed their clinical side again.
Mitchell’s smart finish out wide was followed by some neat footwork by Dan Norton that gave him the space he needed to sprint away from the defenders and score England’s fifth and final try.
Argentina stunned New Zealand 26-19 to head Pool D and there was a battle to the end between a young Wales side and top-of-thetable South Africa in Pool B where both were level until the last minute whenBlitzbok Siviwe Soyizwapi scored to finish it 26-21.
USA’s wing Maka Unufe was called ‘a freaky athlete’ after scoring the hosts final try to beat Spain in Pool C.
Kenya captain Andrew Amonde shocked Fiji as he scored a late try.
Fiji used their pace for Jerry Tuwai to strike first but the game swung between the two sides and the east-African’s were 14-12 down until Amonde’s effort.
After taking a brief 10-7 lead, Scotland lost out to a ruthless New Zealand 21-10 for the second Pool D quarter final slot.