ENGLAND SEVENS PROGRESS THROUGH TO CAPE TOWN CUP QUARTER-FINALS
England topped their pool on day one of the HSBC Cape Town Sevens with three wins from three which will see Simon Amor’s side play in the cup quarter-finals on Sunday 10 December, live on Sky Sports Arena.
Simon Amor’s side defeated Uganda, Argentina and Scotland to progress through to the last eight in the second HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series leg of the new season.
They ended day one with a 12-7 victory over Scotland in Pool C. England trailed 7-0 at the break following Glenn Bryce’s intercept try before fighting back in the second period.
Tom Mitchell finished off a fine move from England’s own tryline before converting his own score to level things up before Ruaridh McConnochie found space in the mid-field to score the winner.
Earlier, England won their opening fixture of the tournament defeating Uganda 36-0. Amor’s side led 5-0 at the break through Harry Glover’s try and second-half scores by Phil Burgess, Dan Norton, Ollie Lindsay-Hague (2) and Ruaridh McConnochie sealed a comprehensive victory.
England, who won bronze at the series opener in Dubai last weekend, then defeated Argentina 24-7 in their second match of the day.
They led 12-7 at the break with tries from Harry Glover and Dan Norton giving them a five-point advantage.
Norton crossed with a minute remaining of the second half for his 272nd series try and Tom Mitchell’s second conversion extended the lead before Charlie Hayter’s first try of the series added gloss to the victory.
Commenting on his side’s performance on day one, England Sevens head coach Simon Amor, said: “We haven’t quite hit our straps all of today but there’s a lot of heart being shown which is so important for us and it was obviously pleasing to get the win against a very good Scotland team.
“The only pressure is to come out and do our very best and the effort and attitude was excellent, our rugby sevens was not as good as it could be but we will rest up and come out tomorrow and give it our best shot.”
Try scorer Harry Glover added: “Three wins on day one but we didn’t play the prettiest rugby but the boys stuck together and the attitude was fantastic.
“We have to keep on playing with the same attitude and effort that underpins our game, it comes down to hunger and the desire to work hard for your teammates.”
England will take on the side that finishes second in Pool B during Sunday’s knockout stages as they look to defend the title they won last season on day two.
England Sevens squad for Cape Town:
Tom Bowen, Phil Burgess, Richard de Carpentier, Will Edwards, Harry Glover, Charlie Hayter, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ruaridh McConnochie, Tom Mitchell, Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Ethan Waddleton.
13th man: Will Glover
Pool C results
Saturday 9 December
England 36 – 0 Uganda
Tries: H. Glover (2), Norton (2), Burgess, Lindsay-Hague (2), McConnochie
England 24 – 7 Argentina
Tries: H. Glover, Norton (2), Hayter
England 12 – 7 Scotland
Tries: Mitchell, McConnochie
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