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England 21
France 12
England put the disappointment of their quarter final loss to New Zealand behind them to win the Plate for the second year running in the Wellington Sevens tonight. England’s youngsters, with an average age of just 23, put in another strong performance to beat France 21 12 in the Plate Final. The win has earned them a valuable eight points in the IRB Sevens table.
Following their decisive 29 7 semi final win over Canada, England knew they had to put in a strong performance against the French. As in the Canada game they started on the back foot as the French took the early lead with a try from Montagnat. They scored again to really put the pressure on England but England responded well with a great effort from captain Simon Amor (London Wasps) thanks to Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester).
England went into the lead thanks to a try from ‘old man’ of the team Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs) who is 28. England led 14 12 at the break.
Early in the second half Danny Gray (Bristol) received a fantastic pass from his captain (Amor) to set up his fifth try of the tournament (England’s top try scorer).
Replacement Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins) made a thrilling break only for the ball to be dropped by Amor but Amor redeemed himself by preventing a late try by France as they crossed the line.
England’s win is the second in successive years, having beaten Argentina in the Plate Final last year.
Speaking after the match to rfu.com captain Amor said, “I am so pleased with the young squad’s performance. There is so much potential in this team and hopefully we will see a lot more of these players. This tournament doesn’t get any easier and it is a very tough place to play but it is also a fantastic place to play. The pitch, the competition and the crowd are awesome. We will have all learned a lot from this tournament and I can’t wait to get to San Diego for the next tournament.”
Ben Ryan, who has earned silverware on his debut as England Sevens Coach, said, “We are still disappointed about the New Zealand game but I am pleased that they have got something for their effort. They played progressively well and it was good to see that we got some respect from the crowd for our performance against the kiwis. We will work on what we didn’t do right over the coming days and aim to put it right next week in San Diego. It is a very important tournament for us and are all looking forward to it. This tournament has shown us that with our continued improvement the series title is still within our grasp.”
Nils Mordt of London Irish said, “Even though we were disappointed by the quarter final loss everyone showed a lot of character especially from the youngsters and I am pleased we got some points. It is an amazing tournament to play in.”
Mark Foster of Gloucester said, “It (the tournament) was a lot bigger than I expected. It is probably the most electric atmosphere I have ever played in. It is good that Phil and Ben eased me into it and I was happy I got selected and am looking forward to improving for the next tournament.”
Danny Gray (Bristol) who was England’s top try scorer with five tries said, “It was an awesome experience. You can’t really imagine what it is going to be like and you have to experience it. I was fairly pleased with my performance and learned a lot. I felt we got better every single game and the lesson against Samoa was very important and we learned a lot from it. I now can’t wait to get to San Diego where the players won last year, and hopefully get a win.”
Charlie Amesbury, NEC Harlequins, said, “It was good to take something away from the tournament but everyone is disappointed not to win the cup. I have never experienced an atmosphere like it. The crowd was so noisy and partisan – similar to George but on a much bigger scale.. I did some good things which I was pleased with but I know I have a lot to work on and am aiming to improve next week.”
Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester) said, “I have mixed emotions as we are all disappointed not to have won the cup. I think we have learned a lot today and have come a long way since yesterday. We must win next week and everyone is looking forward to showing what England can offer next week.”
Andy Vilk of Sale Sharks said, “I am so disappointed with the result especially after the same thing happened last year. However, looking at our performances, especially today, we played some really good sevens. We played well against the kiwis but then that’s sevens. Luckily, we have an opportunity to right those wrongs next week.”
England -
Tries: Amor, Roques, Gray
Conversions: Amor (3)
France -
Tries: Montagnat, Deniau
Conversions: Bosque
England:
Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks), Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester), Danny Gray (Bristol), Ben Russell (Saracens), Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs), Nils Mordt (London Irish)
Reps: Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins), Mark Foster (Gloucester)
Not used: David Smith (Northampton Saints), Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Luke Narraway (Gloucester)
France -
From Patrick Bosque, Nicolas Carmona, Julien Carraud, Vincent Deniau, Nicolas Couttet, Sebastien Mercier, Pierre Yves Montagnat, Romain Edmond Samuel, Farid Sid
Referee: T Hirabayashi (JAP)
Samoa went onto win the cup beating Fiji 17 14.
England travel to the USA Sevens in San Diego (10th & 11th February 2007)
Earlier..
England cruise to victory over Canada and reach Plate Final
England 29
Canada 7
England recorded a comfortable victory over their Barclays Churchill Cup team mates and earned a place in the Plate Final of the Wellington Sevens today. Danny Gray (Bristol) and Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester) both scored twice but it was a solid team performance that helped them win 29 7.
In an unusual first minute of the game, the referee had to retire injured and was replaced. Canada seized early possession but England defended well making them work for their first and only try in a messy flurry of attack from Canada that managed to cross the line.
Danny Gray made his first try look easy and was followed by Rob Thirlby who managed to shake off the Canadian defenders to touch down between the posts.
England’s third came courtesy of Tony Roques, marking his try scoring return to international sevens action after 19 months out injured. England certainly dominated the first half with the majority of possession and control, and led 19 7 at the break.
Looking for a more comfortable lead to ensure victory, Danny Gray scored his second of the match, helped by captain Simon Amor (London Wasps). Canada were awarded a scrum five metres from their line but failed to capitalise on the opportunity and instead Rob Thirlby stole the ball and scored his second, and England’s final try, of the match.
England face France in the Plate Final at 20.30 (07.30am GMT).
England -
Tries: Gray (2), Thirlby (2), Roques
Conversions: Amor (2)
Canada:
Tries: Witowski
Conversions: Hayley
England:
Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks), Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester), Danny Gray (Bristol), Ben Russell (Saracens), Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs), Nils Mordt (London Irish)
Reps: Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins), Mark Foster (Gloucester), David Smith (Northampton Saints)
Not used: Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Luke Narraway (Gloucester)
Canada:
Neil Meechan, Akio Tyler, Philip Mack (captain), Nathan Hirayama, Krzysztof Witowski, Kyle Hayley, David Moonlight
Reps from: Philip McKenzie, Anthony La Carte, Gordie Sawers, Robert Turk, Robin McDowell
Referee: Brent Murray
Ends.
Earlier...
England narrowly beaten by New Zealand in quarter finals
England 7
New Zealand 14
Odds for England to beat hosts and three times champions New Zealand were 30 to 1 before kick off, but England put up a thrilling fight, narrowly losing to New Zealand 14 7. The partisan crowd expected this to be a one horse race but England had nothing to lose and put in their best performance yet. The defeat means England are knocked out of the cup and face Canada in the Plate Semi Final. A Plate win is now essential for England to gain much needed points in the IRB Sevens.
England looked nervous as they took to the pitch but Andy Vilk of Sale Sharks prevented the home side from scoring but the kiwis were awarded a scrum at five metres. This led to a try for Lote Raikabula, successfully converted by Nigel Hunt.
England came back and took control and maintained great possession. A missed opportunity came when Redruth’s Rob Thirlby dropped the ball as he made his break. England upped their game and were rewarded with a try from Bristol youngster Danny Gray.
The scores were level at half time at seven all. An early penalty to England early in the second half couldn’t be converted into a try and we lost possession. NEC Harlequins winger Charlie Amesbury, 19, made a fantastic tackle but New Zealand went onto score their second try despite our impressive defence.
With just one try in it, Amesbury made a great break but was tackled on the half way line. England got close to the line but as the clock ticked down New Zealand were awarded a penalty and the ball was kicked out of touch and the game was over, along with England’s hopes of their first ever win in Wellington.
Speaking after the match England Sevens Coach Ben Ryan was disappointed but proud. “We played really well – the best we have all tournament and the players really stepped up to the plate. We had chances and took some of them but missed others. It was a very physical game and the players gave their all. In terms of development that was huge for all of them. They showed great pride in the England jersey and should be proud of how close they ran the kiwis on their home turf. We now need to focus on the plate and make sure we win this next game.”
England face Canada in the semi final of the Plate at 17.38 (04.38am GMT).
England -
Tries: Gray
Conversions: Amor
New Zealand –
Tries: Raikabula, Ioasa
Conversions: Hunt (2)
England:
Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks), Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), Rob Thirlby (Redruth / Gloucester), Danny Gray (Bristol), Ben Russell (Saracens), Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs), Nils Mordt (London Irish)
Reps: Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins)
Not used: Mark Foster (Gloucester), David Smith (Northampton Saints), Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Luke Narraway (Gloucester)
New Zealand:
Edwin Cocker, Steven Yates, Lote Raikabula, Tafai Ioasa (captain), Nigel Hunt, Afeleke Penlenise, Zar Lawrence
Reps: From Solomon King, D J Forbes, Tomasi Cama, Nick Thomson, Charles Baxter
Referee: T Hirabayashi (JAP)
Ends.
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