A late Tom Mitchell try was little consolation for England

England Sevens were knocked out of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong 7s in a compelling plate semi-final against a physical Australian side.

A late Tom Mitchell try took the score to 12-7 but it was little consolation for England who experienced a tough day of competition.

Margins were tight against Fiji in this morning’s cup quarter final as the packed crowd were treated to a heart racing encounter which saw England pushing for the line into the closing seconds but it finished 14-12.

Head Coach Simon Amor said: ‘We’re disappointed with the result and the performance against Australia.  We played with plenty of heart and determination, which we have shown throughout the tournament, but our accuracy wasn’t quite there, particularly in attack.

“I have been pleased with the work we have done in the contact, we have made a good step forward there.  So many of the games now are very close and that’s why I’m proud of the players, right the way through these last three tournaments, if we have lost matches it has only been by a conversion or a try so we are getting there, we just need to get on the right side of those results.  A number of guys were playing their first competitive rugby for several months and they will really have benefited from this tournament as we head into Tokyo next weekend.”

Captain Tom Mitchell said: “It has been close between us and Australia all season and it is disappointing to have let those scores in, but I am really pleased with the way the guys fronted up particularly in the contact area, we really showed our strength there.  We just didn’t get our attack up and running like we wanted to and we need to go back and look at that ahead of next week.

“There was some superb sevens played in the Fiji game and by the volume of the crowd I know they have enjoyed the games today.  There is massive support for England at this tournament, we can hear when the fans are excited and can draw on that, it is a real privilege to play here.  We would just love to have delivered more for them.  We are so proud to do the job that we do, to play for the guys here, the shirt and those at home.”

Strong running by Ed Jenkins gave Australia a 7-0 first half lead.   Both teams battled hard at the breakdown and quick ball created aggressive attack.   But just as England were beginning to build momentum, captain Jenkins struck again.  An outside break by Jeff Williams lifted his side and eventually Mitchell broke through the relentless Australian defence but time was up.

Against Fiji, England dominated possession for the first five minutes and despite a Phil Burgess try, it was Fiji who were 7-5 ahead at the break after Tuwai Vunisa darted under the posts in stoppage time.

A penalty try was awarded to Fiji following the restart after it was deemed Dan Norton had not released Samisoni Viriviri just short of the line.  Minutes later Norton was joined in the sin bin by Semi Kunatani, sent for a high tackle on Burgess.

Alex Gray went close before Marcus Watson picked his way through the Fijian defence to set up Norton and reduce the gap to 14-12 with 14 minutes gone on the clock.  The crowd were on the edge of their seats and hearts were pounding as England continued to press for the line but as was the theme of the day, time was against them, and by the narrowest of margins Fiji progressed into the cup semi final.

Australia went on to lift the plate, beating USA 21-17.  Fiji will play New Zealand in the cup final.