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Dubai Sevens - England 17-12 Argentina

05 December 2009

  • England comeback from 7-0 down to win in sudden death
  • Samoa await in the cup semi-finals
Dan Norton of England evades the challenge from Martin Miguel Nunez Lasalle of Argentina

Photo: Getty Images

England Sevens are in the cup semi final after Ben Gollings' (Gold Coast) sudden death extra time try took them to a 17-12 victory over Argentina at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens.

England came from 7-0 down at half time to beat the Pumas with second half tries from Nick Royle (Flyde) and Bristol's Dan Norton, Gollings added one conversion to the tally.

It was a slow start for both sides but it was Argentina who went over in the sixth minute with a converted try to put the Pumas 7-0 in front.

England came back after the break, Chris Cracknell feeding Gollings who found inside man Norton and Royle finished in the corner.

And when Argentina kicked deep inside England territory it was gas man Norton again who tore through the Pumas defence to land under the posts for Gollings to convert and give England a 12-7 advantage.

With seconds to go Argentina equalised after being awarded a penalty but failed to convert on the buzzer sending the match into sudden death.

Gollings charged over in the second minute of extra time after England were awarded a scrum ten metres from their line to end their quarter final, 17-12. 

England: Isoa Damudamu (British Army), Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby), Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors), Nick Royle (Fylde), Kevin Barrett (capt, Saracens), Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia), Chris Cracknell (Unattached)

Replacements: Chris Brightwell (Bedford Blues) and Mat Turner (Bristol Rugby).

Scorers: Tries: Royle, Norton, Gollings; Cons: Gollings