ENGLAND SEVENS PROGRESS TO CUP QUARTER-FINAL IN VANCOUVER
England Sevens will face Kenya in the cup quarter-final at HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver later today after finishing top of Pool B.
In their opening fixture in Canada, England, who are defending champions from last season, ran in six tries including a hat-trick for Dan Norton and two from Ollie Lindsay-Hague in a 36-5 win.
England then conceded a try in each half as they went down 5-21 to Samoa but ended day one with a 21-7 victory over Argentina to top their pool.
Simon Amor’s side will now face Kenya in the Cup quarter-final at 19:14 GMT on Sunday 11 March, broadcast on Sky Sports Action.
On the artificial surface inside BC Place, England got the opening score against Wales inside two minutes as Dan Norton eased in down the left wing unopposed.
Head of England Sevens Simon Amor called for more accuracy from his squad following a seventh-place finish in Las Vegas and the men in white were in a clinical mood as Tom Mitchell’s burst set Norton up for a second.
Ben Roach crossed for Wales before Norton’s hand-off and pace down the wing secured his hat-trick before the break, for a 17-5 lead.
Ollie Lindsay-Hague’s brilliant step and 30 metre run got England’s first of the second half, James Rodwell crossed from Dan Bibby’s assist and then Lindsay-Hague got his second after Ryan Olowofela’s line break from deep inside England’s half.
England’s second match against Samoa proved to be a much tighter affair with David Afamasaga’s try giving the Samoans a 7-0 half-time lead.
Phil Burgess’ score put England back in the game half way through the second half but Elisapeta Alofipo’s line break secured Samoa’s second score under the posts.
Laaloi Leilual then pounced on some turnover ball as the Samoans showed some fine offloading to secure the win.
Knowing they had to win by five points or more to top the group, England went in at the break level at 7-7 with Argentina through Phil Burgess’ score.
Despite captain Tom Mitchell’s time in the sin bin, England were able to hold out and Ruaridh McConnochie went over to establish a vital lead.
With the game in the closing stages, McConnochie then was able to dot down again off the back of a five-man rolling maul to secure a place in the last eight.
England Sevens squad for Vancouver:
Dan Bibby
Phil Burgess
Richard de Carpentier
Harry Glover
Charlie Hayter
Ollie Lindsay-Hague
Ruaridh McConnochie
Tom Mitchell ©
Ryan Olowofela
James Rodwell
Dan Norton
Ethan Waddleton
13th man: Will Edwards
England’s Pool B fixtures:
Pool B – England 36-5 Wales
Tries: Dan Norton (3), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (2), James Rodwell
Pool B – England 5-21 Samoa
Tries: Phil Burgess
Pool B – England 7-21 Argentina
Tries: Phil Burgess, Ruaridh McConnochie (2)
Cup quarter final, Sunday 11 March, live on Sky Sports Action
England v Kenya, 19:14 (GMT)
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