England Sevens victorious in Moscow
England Sevens lifted the cup after beating Portugal in the final
England beat Portugal 47-12 in today’s final to win the Moscow Sevens and, after two rounds, now lead the FIRA- AER European Grand Prix Series.
A Phil Burgess hatrick and tries for the returning Mike Ellery, newcomer Charlie Hayter, Tom Mitchell and James Rodwell saw England round off a successful weekend as they look ahead to the Commonwealth Games.
The tournament draw meant that Simon Amor’s side replayed day one pool opponents France (28-7) and Georgia (33-5) in the quarter and semi-finals.
Amor said: “In parts it showed that this squad hasn’t played together for some weeks. It took a while to get into our stride but some of our play was very positive. We got a lot of things right in the final in terms of our attack but there is still a lot to work on.
“I was particularly pleased with Mike Ellery and John Brake, who due to injury haven’t played much rugby for a long time, and also with the contributions of Mark Bright and Charlie Hayter. The competition has allowed us to give players game time, try different combinations ahead of the Commonwealth Games and provided the guys with a chance to fight for those places.”
Yesterday Georgia took the initial lead in England’s first pool match but after Rodwell caught the ball off the line out and charged over the line, tries followed for Burgess, Bright and Powell.
The FIRA-AER Grand Prix round one champions, France were unable to overcome England who touched down five times through Rodwell, Mitchell, Burgess, Brake and Norton but progressed into the quarters as the strongest third place finishers across the three pools. England topped the group and finished day one with a clean sheet against Romania.
England Sevens squad for Moscow:
Dan Bibby, John Brake, Mark Bright, Phil Burgess, Mike Ellery, Charlie Hayter, Christian Lewis-Pratt, Tom Mitchell, Dan Norton, Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Mat Turner
Saturday’s pool results:
Georgia 22-14
Tries: Rodwell, Burgess, Bright, Powell
Cons: Lewis-Pratt
France 35-12
Tries: Rodwell, Mitchell, Burgess, Brake, Norton
Cons: Mitchell x4, Lewis-Pratt
Romania 45-0
Tries: Norton, Powell, Lewis-Pratt, Mitchell, Brake, Hayter x 2
Cons: Lewis-Pratt x 3, Mitchell x 2
Sunday’s results:
Quarter Final v France 28-7
Tries: Norton, Burgess, Rodwell, Bright
Cons: Lewis-Pratt x 4
Semi Final v Georgia 33-5
Tries: Rodwell, Norton x 2, Lewis-Pratt, Ellery
Cons: Lewis-Pratt x 2, Mitchell, Norton
Final v Portugal 47-12
Tries: Ellery, Rodwell, Burgess x 3, Mitchell, Hayter
Cons: Bibby x 2, Lewis-Pratt x 3, Mitchell
FIRA-AER European Grand Prix Sevens Series:
Lyon (June 7-8) won by France
Moscow (June 28-29) won by England
Manchester (September 13-14)
Bucharest (September 20-21)
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