Double record-breaking day for England Sevens
On a double record-breaking day, England Sevens have progressed into the Cape Town cup quarter-final where they will face Fiji, KO 11.10am GMT, Sky Sports 3.
James Rodwell became England’s most capped player as he took to the field in his 71st tournament while a score against Canada and two against Argentina extended Dan Norton’s try total to 222, edging past the 220 record previously held by Ben Gollings.
In a dominant opening performance, England put five tries past Canada, and secured a 19-14 win over Argentina, before finishing with a disappointing 33-10 loss to New Zealand.
England closed day one with a 26-12 victory over the All Blacks Sevens last weekend in Dubai but the result swung the other way in the second round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Tom Mitchell broke the deadlock after five minutes with Richard de Carpentier drawing in defenders before offloading to his captain. Mitchell converted his score but New Zealand levelled through Sherwin Stowers, who had earlier served two minutes in the sin bin, with Rocky Khan adding the additional two points just before the break.
The second half belonged to New Zealand as ill-discipline proved costly for England who twice went down to six men – Dan Bibby and then Rodwell seeing yellow. Making the numerical advantage count, Tim Mikkelson put his side into the lead with DJ Forbes scoring twice and a penalty try also being awarded.
Against Argentina, England was on the scoreboard within 30 seconds with Norton bursting down the wing for his record-breaking try which Bibby converted. Argentina restored parity through a penalty try – Ollie Lindsay-Hague being sin-binned in the process – but England withstood any pressure and remained level at half time.
Smart play between skipper Mitchell and Norton allowed Charlie Hayter to run in England’s second although the conversion was missed. German Schulz then latched onto a grubber to score and, with the extra two points, the South Americans took the lead. Less than a minute was on the clock when a composed England created space down the middle for Norton to complete his double and take the victory for England.
The opening game began with a period of sustained Canadian pressure until England – bronze medalists in Dubai last week – turned over the ball and Mitchell raced the length of the field to score his 89th series try.
A strong hand off allowed Ruaridh McConnochie to see off the last defender to go over for England’s second but on the stroke of half-time Nathan Hirayama reduced Canada’s deficit to 14-5.
With a dummy and a powerful burst of speed, Alex Davis scored immediately after the break. Norton combined well with de Carpentier for England’s fourth before Tom Bowen got in on the action. Pat Kay scored a late consolation for Canada in added time but it was too little, too late as England claimed a convincing 33-10 win.
England Sevens squad for Cape Town:
Dan Bibby, Tom Bowen, Phil Burgess, Alex Davis, Richard de Carpentier, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Charlie Hayter, Ruaridh McConnochie, Tom Mitchell ©, Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Ethan Waddleton
England results in Pool C:
England 7-33 New Zealand
Tries: Mitchell
Conversion: Mitchell
England 33-10 Canada
Tries: Mitchell, McConnachie, Davis, Norton, Bowen
Con: Mitchell (4)
England 19-14 Argentina
Tries: Norton (2), Hayter
Conversion: Bibby, Mitchell
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