England edge Fiji in Sevens

DUBAI – Two tries apiece from player of the tournament Tom Varndell and Ben Gollings helped England to a 28-26 triumph over Fiji in the final of the Dubai Rugby Sevens here on Friday.

Winger Varndell, who made his England 15s debut less than a week ago against Samoa at Twickenham, crossed twice to help his side to a 28-26 triumph although a converted try from Fiji in the final seconds made the final scoreline appear closer than it actually was. Fiji, conquerors of reigning IRB World Series champions New Zealand in the quarter-finals, were again left to reflect on what might have been in Dubai.Coach Waisale Serevi said: “We defended well against New Zealand and then South Africa but we were outplayed by England.Both semi-finals were absolute crackers.South Africa were first on the board against Fiji through Schalk van der Merwe after Mika Leawere had been sinbinned for Fiji.But two quite brilliant tries after the break from Vima Tuidraki and William Ryder put the tie out of South Africa’s range before Sireli Naqelevuki wrapped things up.England’s tie against Samoa was even tighter.The islanders opted to take England on physically and then defended bravely after Henry Bryce broke Henry Paul’s tackle for the first try of the game, in the opening minute of the second period.It was almost enough for victory before England finally broke down the barricades with Varndell scorching over on the left and, crucially, making the angle slightly easier for Simon Amor to add the winning conversion with the last kick of the game.New Zealand overcame the disappointment of their quarter-final reverse against Fiji to trump Australia in the plate semi-finals before then overcoming a brave young French outfit with a performance coach Gordon Tietjens will want to take forward to next week’s South African sevens in George.The Bowl final was won by Wales who had too much pace for Canada while the Shield final went to Kenya, who overcame Tunisia.- Nampa-AFPFiji, conquerors of reigning IRB World Series champions New Zealand in the quarter-finals, were again left to reflect on what might have been in Dubai.Coach Waisale Serevi said: “We defended well against New Zealand and then South Africa but we were outplayed by England.Both semi-finals were absolute crackers.South Africa were first on the board against Fiji through Schalk van der Merwe after Mika Leawere had been sinbinned for Fiji.But two quite brilliant tries after the break from Vima Tuidraki and William Ryder put the tie out of South Africa’s range before Sireli Naqelevuki wrapped things up.England’s tie against Samoa was even tighter.The islanders opted to take England on physically and then defended bravely after Henry Bryce broke Henry Paul’s tackle for the first try of the game, in the opening minute of the second period.It was almost enough for victory before England finally broke down the barricades with Varndell scorching over on the left and, crucially, making the angle slightly easier for Simon Amor to add the winning conversion with the last kick of the game.New Zealand overcame the disappointment of their quarter-final reverse against Fiji to trump Australia in the plate semi-finals before then overcoming a brave young French outfit with a performance coach Gordon Tietjens will want to take forward to next week’s South African sevens in George.The Bowl final was won by Wales who had too much pace for Canada while the Shield final went to Kenya, who overcame Tunisia.- Nampa-AFP