England 7s - London 2015 Fixtures

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:05:22:07:06:35 by Kath..

England Sevens Realise Olympic Dream for Team GB

England qualify on behalf of Team GB for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio

England have secured Olympic qualification on behalf of Team GB following an eight try victory, aptly, over Olympic hosts Brazil - but will be disappointed with a loss to Scotland.

The win means England are guaranteed a fourth place finish in the overall HSBC Sevens World Series standings and cements a place for Team GB at the Rio games next year.

England steamrolled Kenya and Brazil in their first two games, scoring 14 tries and amassing 96 points. However, the gloss was taken off the day by Scotland in the final pool game as the auld enemy triumphed 22-19 to stun a packed Twickenham crowd.

For Scotland, Damien Hoyland was the hero with a superb hat-trick of tries. England found themselves 17-7 down at half-time with only a Marcus Watson try to their name but roared back to snatch the lead.

A powerful score from Alex Gray and a great break by Dan Bibby put Tom Mitchell in under the posts. England led 19-17.

But Scotland were not to be outdone and Hoyland shook off Dan Norton and Mitchell to seal victory in the corner.

Earlier in the afternoon England put Brazil to the sword – finishing with a 56-7 scoreline in their favour.

Norton, making his 50th World Series tournament appearance, scored a double and set up another for his captain Mitchell.

Other tries came from the newly crowned RPA Sevens Player of the Year Gray, Tom Bowen, Bibby, Charlie Hayter and Watson.

England got off to a rampant start on day one against Kenya as they ran in six tries in a 40-0 victory over the African side.

Bibby set the tone early on as a few slashing sidesteps saw him ghost through the Kenyan defence to score.

Next over was James Rodwell who used his long stride to good effect to gallop in from almost halfway following a sublime offload from his captain Mitchell.

Watson looked determined to put his stamp on what will be his final home tournament before his move to Newcastle Falcons.

He scored either side of half-time to take the game away from Kenya using his gas and guile on both occasions following patient build-up from a dominant England.

Gray was rewarded for a fine jump at the restart to regain possession when the ball shifted across the field and back to him, he dotted down for the easiest of scores.

The relentless Bibby made the final and sixth try of the game with a smart turnover at the breakdown, which gave Tom Bowen an easy run-in.

On Olympic qualification, England Head Coach Simon Amor said: “I am so proud of the boys. They have worked so hard this year and there have been some real challenges but they have kept their mental focus and managed all the expectations.

“We have had a few rocky bumps along the way but the work ethic from the team and leadership from Tom Mitchell has been great. I am so proud of them.”

He added: “This is a very special and exciting group. I am excited about what this group can do in the future.

"I have to say the atmosphere here at the Marriott London Sevens is incredible as well."