BlitzBoks fall to England in Tokyo

 

Stout defence and brilliant individual tries from Charlie Hayter, Tom Mitchell and Phil Burgess provided the foundations of an enthralling win to put England back into the top four in the standings for the first time since before the Dubai Sevens, and have a nine point lead over Australia who lost in the Bowl final to USA.

 

"The way the guys fought for that win was brilliant,"  enthused England coach Simon Amor after his side's win.

 

"It's fantastic for us and a great climax for us to go back to the UK now. 

 

"I am so proud for the players, they've worked so hard for this."

 

Runners-up South Africa extend their lead at the top having earlier beaten Fiji in the Cup semifinal with the BlitzBoks on 129 points, four ahead of Fiji and nine ahead of New Zealand who won the Plate.  

 

The top four at the end of the nine rounds will qualify for the Olympics.

 

Hosts Japan, appearing in their first Cup competition since 2000 gain 10 points and move within eight points of Portugal at the bottom of the table with the European side winning the Shield.

 

The 15th placed side after London will be relegated and replaced by Russia, who qualified last week in Hong Kong.

 

Earlier on day two, Canada recorded history beating New Zealand for the first time while England defeated Canada 14-5 in their semi final.

 

While Hayter established an early 7-0 lead for Simon Amor's side, before a converted try to Burgess ended Canada's promising tournament run, after they had earlier recorded an historic first-ever win over New Zealand in the quarterfinals.

 

 

 

 

A first-half brace to Sherwin Stowers helped New Zealand to a consolation 21-14 win in the Plate final over Scotland. 

 

Lee Jones and Colin Gregor, overtaking Waisale Serevi in the all-time leading points scorers tally, kept the Scots in the match with a try apiece either side of the break to level but Dylan Collier broke the deadlock after the hooter had sounded.

 

Earlier Scotland ended Japan's tournament 14-5. Tries to Gregor and James Fleming proved too much for the hosts despite Shunya Goto giving the home side a chance before half time.

 

New Zealand beat France 19-12, a Stowers try either side of half time providing the spark for the All Blacks Sevens after Les Blues had taken an early 7-0 lead through Steeve Barry. 

 

Beaudine Waaka and Julien Candelon traded tries in the second half, but Gordon Tietjens' side progressed.

 

 

The USA beat Australia 17-12 in sudden-death extra-time with Perry Baker scoring the decisvie try in the corner in an enthralling Bowl final.

 

Geraint John's Australia led the Eagles 12-5 at half time after tries to Pama Fou and Ed Jenkins before Danny Barrett brought his side back into the match levelling the scores at 12-12 with a breakaway try up the midfield.

 

"I can't ask anymore of this team they battled and fought right to end and eventually we outlasted the Aussies," said Madison Hughes.

 

"From one to 12 we showed great heart. I am so proud to be part of this team."

 

Earlier, Australia secured a last-gasp 17-12 win over Wales to reach the final while the USA beat Samoa 22-5, Carlin Isles scoring a brace for Mike Friday's side and captain Hughes Danny Barrett also contributing five-pointers.

 

 

A second half fight back from Portugal led by Pedro Leal handed them a 12-7 win after Argentina took the early advantage through German Schulz.

 

It was a perfectly executed kick-and-chase try to Leal followed up by a Jose Vareta solo effort handing the Portuguese a deserved win. 

 

Portugal head coach Pedro Netto was pleased to end the weekend on a high: "It's a trophy and three points.

 

"We've worked hard for this and it's good to get some silverware. We can only be concerned with ourselves and see what happens in Scotland."

 

Earlier Portugal beat a gutsy Hong Kong 19-17 as the game went down to the wire while Segundo Tuculet picked up a hat-trick as Los Pumas made their way to the Shield final with a 17-12 win over Kenya. 

 

Earlier, The BlitzBoks have made their way into the Tokyo Sevens Final after a tight victory against Fiji, they will meet England who overcame Canada.

 

It one conversion that was the difference between the BlitzBoks and the resurgent Fiji, Cecil Afrika able to add the extras to a Albertus Smith try.

 

Meanwhile, England defeated Canada 14-5 to advance to the Final to meet South Africa.

 

England 14-8 Canada

South Africa 7-5 Fiji

 

 

New Zealand, who beat France 19-12, went  into the Plate final after ending Japan's tournament 14-5.

 

Tries to Colin Gregor and James Fleming proved too much for the hosts despite Shunya Goto giving the home side a chance before half time.

 

A Sherwin Stowers try either side of half time provided the spark for the All Blacks Sevens after Les Blues had taken an early 7-0 lead through Steeve Barry.

 

Beaudine Waaka and Julien Candelon traded tries in the second half, but Gordon Tietjens' side progressed.

 

New Zealand 19-12 France

Scotland 15-5 Japan

 

 

Australia secured a last-gasp 17-12 win over Wales while the USA beat Samoa 22-5, Carlin Isles scoring a brace for Mike Friday's side and Madison Hughes and Danny Barrett also contributing five-pointers.

 

A well worked try to Australia's Cameron Clark gave Geraint John's men the lead in their semi final before Adam Warren scored for Wales on half time.

 

Craig Price looked to have ended the Aussies tournament with a try just after the break before a Tom Lucas try and Clark's second paved the way for the late escape with moments remaining.

 

Earlier, the USA impressed scoring seven tries through seven different players in a 39-0 win over Portugal while Australia held off a strong finish from Kenya for a 14-5 win.

 

USA 22-5 Samoa

Australia 17-12 Wales

 

 

Segundo Tuculet picked up a hat-trick as Argentina made their way to the Shield final with a 17-12 win over Kenya and will face Portugal who beat a gutsy Hong Kong 19-17 as the game went down to the wire.

 

Portugal 19-17 Hong Kong

Argentina 17-12 Kenya