HSBC Sevens World Series – Edinburgh Sevens
Ruthless Samoa take title and maiden series win
Superb Samoa brushed aside Australia in the final of the Edinburgh Sevens to secure their maiden HSBC Sevens World Series crown.
Stephen Betham’s side took their fourth cup victory of the season to finish 15 points ahead of New Zealand, with a late surge from Australia – winners in London last weekend – taking the Wallabies onto the podium in third place.
Jacob Taylor gave the Wallabies the lead within 15 seconds but Samoa’s greater power and flair proved too much as the South Sea Islanders romped to a 41-14 victory.
The season’s top try-scorer Mikaele Pesamino, who was also named IRB World Sevens Player of the Year, led the way with yet another hat-trick, taking his overall haul to 56 touchdowns.
Samoa had earlier clinched the title with their thrilling semi-final win over England (further details below).
Betham was overwhelmed with his side’s victory and said: "We did it for our nation back home and all credit to the boys they stuck it out from the start. It was a difficult task that they overcame and I think they did it for the people back home.
"It is the first World Series we have ever won in anything to do with rugby and it is just going to lift the nation. I think the people back home should be proud of these players and I hope it can carry on."
Scotland delighted the home crowd with victory in the plate competition, defeating Argentina 19-0. Elsewhere, Wales impressively defeated Kenya 26-10 in the bowl final and Russia took the Shield competition with a 26-7 win over Canada.
The full results of all matches at the Edinburgh Sevens are available on the IRB website.
England in Scotland
England suffered a heart-wrenching defeat to Samoa in the cup semi final of the Edinburgh Sevens after Lolo Lui’s drop goal penalty in the final seconds of sudden-death extra time.
Captain Ben Gollings had the opportunity to win the game in the final minute of normal time, but his conversion attempt agonisingly hit the upright, sending the game into extra time.
Tom Powell and Greg Barden had earlier scored for Ben Ryan’s side, who battled to keep the Samoans at bay despite having James Rodwell and Nick Royle yellow-carded in extra time.
Gollings, top points scorer again this season, adding to his all-time HSBC Sevens World Series points lead, was understandably distraught with the moment which captured England’s 2009/10 campaign – so near yet so far.
"I’m absolutely gutted," he said. "As a team we have come a long way since yesterday but we didn't take our chances, especially in extra time.
"We should have held a few penalties, slowed it down and been a bit wiser with ball in hand. I think we had them on the racks for a while and can't fault the boy's effort.
"Our unbelievable defence in that last period was sensational, down to six men twice in extra time and still managed to hold them out."
England started well on day one and then came from behind to defeat hosts Scotland 19-7 in the cup quarter-final.
