England win the Vancouver Sevens
England defeated South Africa 19-7 in the Cup final of the Vancouver Sevens to seal their second victory on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Simon Amor’s side remains the only team to have beaten South Africa this season as they repeated their achievements from Cape Town.
England recorded a decisive 40-7 victory over Fiji in the semi-finals after surpassing New Zealand 14-12 in the quarters and were unbeaten on day one after wins over Kenya and Chile and a draw with South Africa.
In front of a packed crowd at BC Place the finalists were level 7-7 at the break with Siviwe Soyizwapi crossing inside 60 seconds, which Cecil Afrika converted, before Richard de Carpentier powered through the tackle of Rosko Specman on the right wing to stretch over on the stroke of half-time.
Dan Bibby then showed a moment of class, Charlie Hayer initially breaking the line before Bibby chipped forward and touched down his own kick, as Tom Mitchell sent over his second conversion.
Dan Norton went over in the left-hand corner after superb hands from England released him to cross for his 244th try on the World Series, matching Kenya’s Collins Injera as the all-time leading try scorer on the circuit.
Mitchell’s conversion took the score to 19-7 and despite late pressure England held on for victory.
“It feels awesome because we’ve worked so hard,” said Mitchell. “We played South Africa in the group stages, in a close game – they have been on top all year, it’s an unbelievable record from them – so to come and beat them here in this amazing stadium with a phenomenal crowd, who have been a pleasure to play in front of, it is very special. I’m so proud to be part of this group, every time the boys come back and just keep fighting.”
Player of the final, Norton added: “It’s pretty surreal, it has been a long two days after backing up last week in Las Vegas. The boys have been incredible and we’ve all grafted so hard – as have the guys back home who have got us to this point. I’m humbled to be in this position.”
England advanced through to the final with a record 40-7 win over Fiji. Norton opened the scoring in that game with a stunning try after fine defence from England eventually saw him collect possession and tear down the left wing from inside his own 22m before touching down under the posts which Mitchell converted.
Norton then turned provider, drawing three defenders before feeding Phil Burgess to cut inside and cross under the posts and Mitchell again added the additional two points.
Norton then went over in the corner after Bibby’s fine pass to the left wing found the flyer as England led 19-0 at the break.
Bibby took advantage of some hesitation in the Fiji defence to dart through for England’s fourth try which Mitchell converted for 26-0.
Mitchell collected his own chip over the Fiji defence and touched down for his 99th try on the World Series as Will Edwards came on for his England debut.
Edwards capitalised on fine handling from England and celebrated his World Series debut with a try to add further gloss to the victory, also converting the score for 40-0. Fiji scored late on but it was merely consolation for the World Series champions.
Earlier England had beaten New Zealand 14-12 in the quarters. Ambrose Curtis was over England’s try line early on but was brilliantly held up by Mitchell and James Rodwell.
Soon after, England maintained possession and slowly worked their way into New Zealand’s 22m before Bibby spotted a gap and scythed through.
DJ Forbes powered over in the corner for New Zealand, however, crucially the conversion was missed and England held a two-point lead. England worked the ball well along the line and Ruaridh McConnochie stepped inside twice to dot down under the posts with Mitchell’s conversion taking the score to 14-5.
Scott Curry bundled over late on but it was too little, too late as England avenged their quarter-final defeat to New Zealand in Las Vegas last weekend to advance into final four.
England Sevens squad for Vancouver: Dan Bibby, Tom Bowen, Phil Burgess, Alex Davis, Richard de Carpentier, Charlie Hayter, Charlton Kerr, Ruaridh McConnochie, Tom Mitchell ©, Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Ethan Waddleton, 13th man: Will Edwards
Final:
England 19-7 South Africa
Tries: de Carpentier, Bibby, Norton
Conversions: Mitchell (2)
Cup Semi-Final:
England 40 – 7 Fiji
Tries: Norton (2), Burgess, Bibby, Mitchell, Edwards
Conversions: Mitchell (4), Edwards
Cup Quarter-Final:
New Zealand 12- 14 England
Tries: Bibby, McConnochie
Conversions: Mitchell (2)
England’s Pool A Results:
England 28- 14 Kenya
Tries: Burgess, Penalty Try, Norton, Bibby / Conversions: Mitchell (3)
England 26 – 0 Chile
Tries: Bowen, Mitchell, Rodwell, Norton / Conversions: Mitchell (3)
England 12 – 12 South Africa
Tries: Norton (2) / Conversions: Mitchell
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