ENGLAND TO FACE AUSTRALIA IN CUP QUARTER-FINAL AT HSBC LONDON SEVENS

Jun 3 • General News, Sevens Rugby • 1513 Views • Comments Off on ENGLAND TO FACE AUSTRALIA IN CUP QUARTER-FINAL AT HSBC LONDON SEVENS

England finished second in Pool C on day one at the HSBC London Sevens following a 38-12 win against Kenya at Twickenham Stadium.

England opened the day with a 34-0 victory over France, where Ollie Lindsay-Hague grabbed a hat-trick, but were then beaten 14-31 by the USA before a 38-12 win against Kenya.

England will now face Australia in the Cup quarter-final at 12.04 BST on Sunday 3 June.

In the final game of the day Kenya enjoyed the majority of the ball in the opening minutes and William Ambaka Ndayara ran in from deep, but Ollie Lindsay-Hague gathered his own kick ahead to level the game.

A brilliant through-the-legs pass by Lindsay-Hague was the catalyst for Dan Norton’s fifth of the afternoon, before Mike Ellery powered through to put England 19-7 up at the break.

In a game which saw England’s James Rodwell reach 400 matches on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series circuit, Lindsay-Hague got his second from Phil Burgess’ offload.

Ellery added a second to his account and Charlie Hayter crossed the line as England cruised into the quarter-finals before Kenya added a consolation try at the death through Herman Humwa.

In a physical match up in the second game, it was the USA who opened the scoring when Danny Barratt crossed on the right wing.

England responded through a stunning Norton try as he beat two defenders to run in under the shadow of the posts, and he broke again for another long range score for a 14-5 half-time lead.

In game two USA were the first on the scoresheet after the break as Folau Niua went over before Brett Thompson slid over under pressure from captain Tom Mitchell.

After Norton was then sent to the sin bin, USA got their fourth and fifth tries through Carlin Isles to win 14-31.

England started the day with victory over France. England enjoyed most of the possession early on and some fine offloading saw Alex Davis set up by Norton, with Davis’ strong hand off seeing him cross.

Norton then showed his class with a chip and gather over the French defence and he raced away to dot down before Ollie Lindsay-Hague’s footwork saw him cut through and finish under the sticks. He got his second shortly after when a dummy allowed him the space to finish out wide.

With a 24-0 lead at the break, the scoring continued afterwards as the world’s leading try-scorer Norton got his second with a smart step back on the inside, before Lindsay-Hague’s intercept saw him sprint most of the field for England’s sixth to complete a 34-0 victory.

Commenting on day one, England wing Dan Norton, said: “Obviously it was great to play in the sun, with the amazing support here but it was three really tough games across the board but it was nice to cap the day with a win and progress into the quarter-final. It was kind of the perfect day in a way to play at home at Twickenham with family and friends watching and to get into the quarter-finals is just great.”

England back Ollie Lindsay-Hague added: “It was great feeling to be among the tries and hopefully I can keep going and keep scoring. Australia will be a tough game as they’re a very good side this season, we know what they’re about but we’re looking forward to it.”

Tickets for day two of the HSBC London Sevens are still available via EnglandRugby.com/tickets with a limited number available from the ticket office at Twickenham Stadium.

England Sevens squad for HSBC London Sevens:

Dan Bibby
Phil Burgess
Alex Davis
Mike Ellery
Harry Glover
Charlie Hayter
Ollie Lindsay-Hague
Tom Mitchell
Dan Norton
Ryan Olowofela
James Rodwell
Ethan Waddleton

13th man: Tom Bowen

England’s fixtures:

England 34-0 France
Tries: Alex Davis, Dan Norton (2), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (3)

England 14-31 USA
Tries: Dan Norton (2)

England 38-12 Kenya
Tries: Ollie Lindsay-Hague (2), Dan Norton, Mike Ellery (2), Charlie Hayter

Cup quarter-final: England v Australia