The IRB Sevens World Series produced its fourth Cup champion in four tournaments, with a sterling performance by England.
The English team had scored just 15 series points in the previous three tournaments.
The team defeated Scotland, Samoa and Kenya, claiming 22 series points and the Championship Cup at the 2013 Hertz Sevens in Wellington last month.
In an edge of the seat finale, England snatched victory from Kenya, defeating them 24-19 in extra time to win the title.
England defeated New Zealand in their first pool play on the first day.
The New Zealand side still finished third overall, beating Samoa 17-7 in the third place play-off.
It was just the final dramatic act in an extraordinary day in Wellington when Kenya earlier beat New Zealand 19-14, also in Extra Time, to reach the 2013 Hertz Sevens final.
Mike Friday’s Kenyan side trailed 14-0 in the first spell but scored two second-half tries to take the match into sudden death extra time before Oscar Ouma scored the all-important try, his second of the match.
First place
Coached by Ben Ryan, England booked its place in the final beating Samoa 21-19. Trailing 12-0, Christian Lewis-Pratt (twice) and Marcus Watson gave them a 21-12 lead, which proved enough despite Lio Lolo’s effort to narrow the deficit just before the hooter.
In the quarter finals, New Zealand beat arch rival Australia 24-5 thanks to two tries from Gillies Kaka and a try a piece to Ben Lam and Sam Dickson. England defeated Scotland 31-7 with Marcus Watson and Dan Norton scoring two each, while Samoa proved too strong for Argentina scoring 5 tries to Argentina’s one.
In what was arguably the most thrilling quarter final, Kenya defeated African rivals South Africa 21-20. Trailing 15-7 and then 20-14 at a point, Willy Ambaka scorched away to score his second try of the match to snatch a 21-20 victory for Mike Friday’s side with four missed conversions proving decisive for Paul Treu’s South African mop.
Plate triumph
Michael O’Connor’s Australia made it five wins from six by beating Scotland 22-7 to win the Plate. Their only defeat came at the hands of New Zealand, before two Shannon Walker tries and 13 points from Lewis Holland secured their place in the final and ended a disappointing weekend for Paul Treu’s side who managed just one victory.
Canadian Bowl
Canadian Head Coach, Geraint John was a happy man as Canada secured their first Bowl title of the season on the back of an outstanding game by Glasgow Warrior wing Taylor Paris.
The Canadians were unlucky not to have made the Cup quarterfinals after dealing South Africa a heavy defeat in pool play. Their Bowl Final upset of the Flying Fijians was a moment that is sure to live long in the memory of their fans. They beat Fiji 28-19 winning all three of their matches on day two.
Fiji will be disappointed with their tournament having failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in the history of the World Series.
Sean Duke scored twice in Canada’s 31-7 victory against Spain to reach the Bowl final, having earlier beaten Tonga 28-5 thanks to tries from Nathan Hirayama, Tyler Ardron, Duke and Conor Trainor, while Julien Candelon took his tournament try tally to nine for France on day two, but could not prevent Fiji booking their place in the final.
Fiji competing in their first ever Bowl competition in the history of the World Series, five different players scored tries in their 29-12 quarterfinal victory against the USA.
Spain defeated Portugal in the first match of day one in an all-Iberian encounter. Locked at 19-19 in an enthralling match, Pedro Martin chipped and re-gathered then raced the length of the pitch to score his second try of the match and give Spain a dramatic victory. France beat Wales 33-12 on the back of hat trick from Candelon.
Wales for Shield
The reigning RWC Sevens champions Wales ended a disappointing weekend, beating Tonga 26-21 to claim the Shield.
Paul John’s side had trailed 21-0, but had enough left in the tank to beat the only non-core side competing in Wellington, as Lee Williams scored the all-important fourth try.
Tonga outplayed Portugal in the first Shield semi-final 17-7 with tries to Tevita Halaifonua, Titali Mau and Saia Palei while in the other semi-finals, Wales held out a fast finishing USA 17-15 with Will Thomas, Luke Morgan and Rhys Shellard crossing for five-pointers.
The colour and costumes were still a highlight of the event, making the choice for overall Museum Art Hotel Costume Catwalk Winner extremely hard. The Snow Globes took home the Best Group and Supreme Award of $15,000 which was again put forward by Chris Parkin, with $25,000 total cash awarded.
Sheevas Dayal was our Reporter and Photographer at the Hertz Sevens matches held in Wellington last month. He is seen here with All Blacks Seven’s Head Coach Gordon Tietjens. The other picture shows the Fiji team on attack. See another story in this Section.
