May 31, 2008

England get off to a flying start

England 22-0 Portugal

England got off to a flying start against Portugal conceding no tries in their first match of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens.

Worcester Warriors speedster Uche Oduoza scored his first of two tries within 40 seconds of the starting whistle, his second coming just before the break leaving England leading 12-0.

England started the second half slowly, but after some good defending they were rewarded in the sixth minute with a third try, which came from a chip and chase by substitute Ollie Phillips.

Leeds Carnegie's Tom Biggs was fourth over the line to seal the victory for England.

England play Russia at 12.40pm.

England: Chris Cracknell (Cornish Pirates), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Jack Adams (Gloucester Rugby), Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks, captain), Kevin Barrett (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Gollings (Sunnybank, Australia), Uche Oduoza (Worcester Warriors)

Replacements: Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie), Ollie Cook (Doncaster Knights), Ollie Phillips (Newcastle Falcons)

Scorers: Uche Oduoza (2t), Ollie Phillips (t), Tom Biggs (t), Ben Gollings (c)

England’s Pool matches, May 31:

England v Portugal, ko 9.34am
England v Russia, ko 12.40pm
New Zealand v England, ko 4.20pm

To follow England Sevens go to www.rfu.com/sevens