ENGLAND MEN SEVENS TO FACE USA IN CAPE TOWN CUP QUARTER-FINALS
England will face USA in the Cup quarter-finals at the HSBC Cape Town Sevens on Sunday 9 December at 11.10am GMT (live on Sky Sports) after coming second in Pool C.
The men in white opened the day with a 29-12 win over Kenya and defeated France 26-12 but suffered a narrow 19-21 loss to Fiji in their final game on day one.
Despite England having possession early on it was Fiji who crossed first after Jerry Tuwai took full advantage of a loose ball and offloaded to Melismas Derenalagi moments before another England error allowed Aminiasi Tuimaba to dot down for Fiji’s second.
Vilimoni Botitu was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on which England capitalised on through a beautiful display of teamwork between Harry Glover and Will Muir who dotted down to put England on the scoresheet on the stroke of half-time.
With just over a minute left to play Tuwai pierced through the England defence to add another for his side but England demonstrated incredible fight with Glover and Muir teaming up once again for another England score.
An unsuccessful conversion left England trailing by eight points but Alex Davis closed the gap with an exceptional converted try down the left hand side but it wasn’t enough for the win.
In their second game of the day England ran in four tries to defeat France 26-12.
France were first to put points on the scoreboard through Nisie Huyard who drew in two English defenders before finding space to dot down.
England captain Tom Mitchell responded by breaking through the French defence to level the score but France fought back with another from Huyard giving France a seven-point lead at the break.
England were first to score in the second half with a cross-field kick from Dan Bibby which set up Dan Norton to cross under the posts. A successful conversion from Mitchell levelled the score to 12-12.
Muir put England ahead after receiving a great ball from Ethan Waddleton allowing him to break out from the French defence and cross the whitewash. England then reacted quickly to a penalty catching France unaware as Ryan Olowofela spotted space and darted across the line to seal victory.
England began their 2018 Cape Town Sevens campaign with a 29-12 win over Kenya. Waddleton opened up the scoring after capitalising on two penalties giving them an early 7-0 lead, but it wasn’t long before Kenya levelled the score with a response through Cyprian Kuto.
England were ahead again after Norton broke through the Kenyan defence and sprinted for the try line putting his side 12-7 up at half-time.
Kenya were first to score after the break through Leonard Mugaisi but Norton went over for his second with a terrific chip and chase followed moments later by his third as he evaded three defenders to touch down for his hat-trick.
Phil Burgess added England’s final points after he found a small gap in the defence and steamed across the whitewash securing a 29-12 victory for Simon Amor’s men.
All-time leading try scorer Norton commented: “It’s been a good day one in Cape Town and despite the frustration of losing out to Fiji we showed some real promise in the way that we ended that game.
“We love playing in Cape Town and getting the win here a couple of years ago gives us the motivation to keep pushing on.”
Looking ahead to the Cup quarter-finals Norton added: “We’ll go back and review today’s games and work out how we can come out stronger tomorrow – the way we finished against Fiji is how we want to be playing consistently. We’re looking forward to what’s going to be an exciting day two tomorrow.”
Cup quarter-final
England v USA, Sunday 9 December, 11.10am (GMT). Live on Sky Sports
England’s Pool C results:
England 19-21 Fiji
Tries: Will Muir (2), Alex Davis
England 26-12 France
Tries: Tom Mitchell, Dan Norton, Will Muir, Ryan Olowofela
England 29-12 Kenya
Tries: Ethan Waddleton, Dan Norton (3), Phil Burgess
England Men Sevens squad for Cape Town:
Dan Bibby
Tom Bowen
Phil Burgess
Alex Davis
Mike Ellery
Harry Glover
Charlton Kerr
Tom Mitchell ©
Will Muir
Dan Norton
Ryan Olowofela
Ethan Waddleton
13th man: James Rodwell
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