May 25, 2008

England book a place in the Cup semi final

New Zealand 12-17 England

A sensational try by Leeds winger Tom Biggs in the last second of the tie gave England a heroic win over New Zealand in the first of today’s quarter finals at the Emirates Airline London Sevens.

The result means that England will face Samoa in the semi finals at 4.44pm.

England had to recover from conceding two tries to the fired-up New Zealanders, by Nigel Hunt and Chad Tuoro to trail 12-0. But when Zar Lawrence was yellow carded, England took advantage of their numerical advantage, winger Uche Oduoza drawing in three defenders before off-loading to Ben Foden for the Sale Sharks player to slip in at the corner.

Then just seconds into the second half scrum half Kevin Barrett brought England right back into the game with a close range try converted by Ben Gollings to level the scores.

England looked to have blown their chances when Chris Cracknell was sent to the sin-bin but the six-man English team dug deep to stop New Zealand from profiting.

Then with seconds remaining substitute winger Tom Biggs latched on to loose ball before outstripping the New Zealand defence with a marvellous diagonal run for a match-winning try in the corner that takes England to the next round.

England: Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks), Chris Cracknell (Cornish Pirates), Ben Gollings (Sunnybank, Australia), Uche Oduoza (Worcester Warriors), Ben Foden (Sale Sharks), Rob Webber (London Wasps), Kevin Barrett (Exeter Chiefs).

Replacements: Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie)

Scorers: Foden (t), Barrett (t), Biggs (t), Gollings (c)

Follow England Sevens by visiting www.rfu.com/sevens

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