England 36

Canada 12

England are safely through to the quarter finals of the Hong Kong Sevens having topped their pool today with three wins from three.  In their last match England beat a physical Canadian side 36-12.  England now face Samoa in the quarter finals.

It was the story of the England wingers today as David Strettle (Rotherham) and Tom Varndell (Leicester) both bagged two tries apiece.  Strettle opened the scoring impressing the 30,000 plus crowd with some dazzling footwork.  He scored his second soon after and Dan Luger joined him on the score sheet with his second of the tournament before the break.   Two successful conversions from Ben Gollings meant England led 19-0 at half time.

Canada were strong in the second half and tested England's defence, but Dave Seymour eventually made a break with a great run to cross the line. Canada replied with their first try of the match when Jamie Collins managed to score but Tom Varndell soon retaliated.  The 20 year old winger scored his first of the match in impressive style, running outside two players to reach the line.  Canada looked like they were certain of another try but Ben Foden, who replaced Amor, successfully tackled him just before the line. However, David Stockton did manage to give Canada their second and last try of the match before Varndell scored his second.  The final score of 36-12 ensured England topped the pool and sent Canada out of the cup competition.

Speaking after the match, England Sevens assistant coach Phil Greening said: "That didn't go quite as smoothly as we hoped but it was important for us to win and we did. We will put things right tonight and hopefully come back having improved tomorrow morning.  It is always disappointing to let in any tries and our aim is very much to nil teams if we can. This is a great tournament to be involved with both as a coach and a player and we are all looking forward to the final day. This tournament and this place means alot to all the England team, and to all the thousands of fans who give us such tremendous support so it is very much our aim to come back tomorrow and win the trophy."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's quarter final against Samoa, England's inspirational captain Simon Amor said: “If you want to win big tournaments you have to beat big teams”. Samoa are always a physical side and will be very tough and confrontational. They have excellent ball defensive skills and always test our defence to the max.”

Scorers:

England – Tries: Strettle (2), Luger, Seymour, Varndell (2)

Conversions – Gollings (2), Foden

England – Ben Gollings, Ben Russell (Saracens), Dan Luger, David Seymour (Saracens), Simon Amor, Captain (Gloucester), David Strettle (Rotherham), Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons)

Replacements: Ben Foden (Sale Sharks), Tom Varndell (Leicester Tigers), Henry Paul (Gloucester)

Not used: Nils Mordt, Andy Vilk (Northampton Saints)

England 40

USA Eagles 5

England made it a comfortable two wins out of two on day two of the Hong Kong Sevens today, beating USA 40-5.  Two tries from Ben Gollings moved him further ahead in the IRB Sevens Leading Try Scorers table, whilst captain Simon Amor, Tom Varndell and Mathew Tait also crossed the line.

The USA had some good possession in the first half but England scored first with a great break from Leicester Tigers’ winger Tom Varndell helping Gollings to cross the line.  Captain Simon Amor was second to score, showing how pleased he is to be back on his favourite pitch, and with two successful conversions from Gollings England led at the break 14-0.

Varndell whizzed across the line early in the second half, followed by Northampton’s Andy Vilk.  In a repeat of the first half, Varndell helped Gollings to score his second as England took a comfortable lead. Mathew Tait (who replaced Henry Paul) then scored – his 25th try of the IRB Sevens in just six tournaments.  USA capitalized on a lucky bounce of a ball to score their first and only try of the match, with England finishing with a 40-5 victory.

Scorers:

England – Tries: Gollings (2), Amor, Varndell, Vilk, Tait

Conversions – Gollings (5)

England – Ben Gollings, Ben Russell (Saracens), David Seymour (Saracens), Tom Varndell (Leicester Tigers), Simon Amor, Captain (Gloucester), Henry Paul (Gloucester), Andy Vilk (Northampton Saints)

Replacements: Ben Foden (Sale Sharks), Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons), Dan Luger

Not used: David Strettle (Rotherham), Nils Mordt