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Time runs out for England against Samoa in Wellington
England 12
Samoa 19
Had there been another 90 seconds on the clock England Sevens Coach Ben Ryan is confident victory would have been England’s, but tonight time ran out and Samoa took the spoils. It was only Samoa’s second victory over England in the last year but it was a serious blow for England leading to a tough quarter final against host nation New Zealand tomorrow.
The first half was all about Samoan possession with England hardly getting a touch of the ball. England lost the early kick offs and despite plenty of effort just couldn’t get possession back from the powerful islanders. Samoa scored three times in the first half and led 19 0 at the break. The score could have been higher but England’s Andy Vilk and Luke Narraway prevented an early try, and another was disallowed due to a knock on by the Samoan.
England won the kick off to start the second half but just couldn’t break through the Samoan wall of defence. Another Samoan try was disallowed as the player stepped over the line offering England some hope of a comeback as the clock counted down. A great break by Vilk offered the few England fans in the Westpac Stadium some hope only for him to be tackled before reaching the line. Another great chance for England came and went when Danny Gray chipped the ball to Rob Thirlby but an unlucky bounce of the ball meant the chance slipped away. Gray managed to cross the line soon after giving England a much needed seven points. Time was running out for England but they did not give up.
With Samoa losing a man to the sin bin for consistent infringements at the ruck, England made the most of the opportunity and Nils Mordt crossed the line. With just one try required, the hooter sounded and England were left second in their pool, and facing arguably the toughest quarter final in the tournament.
England Sevens Coach Ben Ryan said, “We just didn’t get possession in the first half. It was a case of us playing catch up for the whole match and we came back well but time just ran out for us. But that’s one of the great things about sevens. You have to be able to perform within the 14 minutes and tonight we just missed out. Sevens is all about being on the knife edge and when Samoa got that third try we were really struggling, and didn’t quite react quick enough in order to come back within the time. Now we are in the same position as we were last year, but at least we are still in the cup. In terms of development tomorrow’s quarter final is massive for this squad. They are going to be playing New Zealand in their home stadium in front of 32,000 screaming kiwi fans. It is a huge challenge for them.
“I am proud of how the boys performed today. Their application, industry and commitment was 100%. Of course we are disappointed but we have another game to focus on tomorrow. All sorts of teams have been upset today so who knows what can happen tomorrow. The kiwis are a very strong side but they are beatable.”
England face New Zealand at 14.55 (01.55am GMT) tomorrow.
England -
Tries: Gray, Mordt
Conversions: Amor
England:
Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks), Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester), Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins), Luke Narraway (Gloucester), Danny Gray (Bristol)
Reps: Ben Russell (Saracens), Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs), Nils Mordt (London Irish)
Not used: Mark Foster (Gloucester), David Smith (Northampton Saints)
Samoa:
From: Ofisa Treviranus, Simaika Mikaele, Lia Palala, Apelu Faainga, Keneti Tofilau, Alatasi Tupou, Uale Mai, Jerry Maefou, Mika Semo, Mikaele Pesamino, Lolo Lui, Faulua Otto
Earlier...
England made to work for win against Papua New Guinea
England 22
Papua New Guinea 7
It may not have been the prettiest of victories but as debutant David Smith said, “A win is a win”. The 18 year old Northampton Saints winger made a dream start to his international sevens career with a try against the islanders in England’s second pool match of the Wellington Sevens.
England struggled to get possession of the ball in the first half and PNG attacked well, earning them the first try. David Smith earned his first cap and a place on the score sheet, thanks to a thrilling run from Rob Thirlby (Gloucester / Penzance) who helped set up the try. Thirlby went on to score England’s second try to ensure England led at the break 12 7 but it was certainly not a comfortable lead for new England Sevens coach Ben Ryan.
The first half can only be described as scrappy by both sides with several bad passes and missed opportunities. England looked stronger in the second half and Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks) scored his second of the day to extend England’s lead. NEC Harlequins young winger Charlie Amesbury replaced Thirlby from the bench and showed his speed on the sevens pitch with a lightening try along the side line. The final score of 22 7 to England meant England had made it two wins from two so far in New Zealand.
Speaking after the match, Assistant England Sevens Coach Phil Greening believed that his side would benefit from the match. “That is the best thing that could have happened to us before we face Samoa. If we had won easily as some people expected us to then the boys may have relaxed and lost their focus. That was a really good test for this young squad. Having said that we will need to improve our game massively before we face the Samoans tonight.”
Asked about David Smith’s performance Greening added, “I was pleased with how he performed under these conditions. This is a big stage for him and the biggest tournament of his career so far and he did well. I was pleased he crossed the line and hopefully it will give him some confidence.”
Speaking on his try scoring debut for England Sevens Smith said, “A win is a win and it was a good team effort. Playing sevens in these conditions is harder than I thought and very physical but it is amazing. The atmosphere is really good and even though they are all booing when we get the ball it just makes me raise my game.”
England face Samoa at 20.50 (07.50am GMT).
England -
Tries: Smith, Thirlby, Vilk, Amesbury
Conversions: Amor
Papua New Guinea
Try: McLay
Conversion: Wamapiri
England:
Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks), Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), Ben Russell (Saracens), Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs), Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester)
Nils Mordt (London Irish), David Smith (Northampton Saints)
Reps: Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins)
Not used: Luke Narraway (Gloucester), Danny Gray (Bristol), Mark Foster (Gloucester)
Papua New Guinea:
Willie Rikis, Alistair McLay, Joseph Wamapiri, Kori Chan, Richard Mark, David Eri, Yaisuo Giheno
Reps: From Alex Haija, Jack Maraha, Rolland Namo, Aaron Miai, Steven Iko
Referee: Eva Mafi (TON)
Ends.
Earlier in Wellington...
England claim the ‘Sevens Calcutta Cup’ in Wellington
Friday 2nd February 2007
England 33
Scotland 12
In the first of the two big clashes between England and Scotland on the rugby pitch this weekend, England Sevens took the victory, beating Scotland 33 12 at the IRB Sevens in Wellington.
In their opening pool game, England blew away any nerves in the Wellington sunshine with five tries to Scotland’s two.
Sale Sharks flanker Michael Hills was first on the score sheet as England dominated early possession. Scotland’s number ten, Thom Evans, scored next in an ironic moment for England as Evans used to be a member of the England Sevens squad before moving to Scotland last season.
England captain Simon Amor was impressive throughout and scored a try with four minutes gone. A second for Michael Hills meant England led 19 5 at the break.
Scotland started the second half stronger and attacked well with Colin Shaw getting a try. England youngster Mark Foster (Gloucester) looked as if he was going to score on his debut as England came back but he was outpaced by Thom Evans. England defended well to prevent any more blue tries.
Rob Thirlby (Gloucester / Redruth) came on and made an instant impression showing great speed to score under the posts. England’s final try came from core squad member Andy Vilk of Sale Sharks.
Speaking after the match, new England Sevens Coach Ben Ryan said, “It was important for us to get that match under our belt. There were a few nerves but we prepared well and got the win. Thom Evans was certainly a threat but we expected that and I was pleased with our attack. We will work on our defence some more before our next game.
“It is always good to beat the Scots. Any match between the two countries is a big deal, and hopefully this will be a good sign for the senior team tomorrow. For now, we are concentrated on our next match against Papua New Guinea and making it two wins from two.”
England -
Tries: Hills (2), Amor, Thirlby, Vilk
Conversions: Amor (4)
Scotland –
Tries: Evans, Shaw
Conversion: Adamson
England:
Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Luke Narraway (Gloucester), Danny Gray (Bristol), Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins), Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks), Mark Foster (Gloucester), Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps)
Reps: Ben Russell (Saracens), Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs), Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester)
Not used: Nils Mordt (London Irish), David Smith (Northampton Saints)
Scotland:
Scott Forrest ©, Lee Kimble, Michael Adamson, Calum Cuister, Colin White, Thom Evans, Mark Robertson
Reps: Sean Crombie, Paul Loudon, Colin Shaw, Ben Addison, Chris Kinloch
Referee: Taizo Hirabayashi (JAP)
Ends.
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