Hong Kong 7s: England Win Final
By Mally (30/03/03)
March 30 2003
England retain their Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens title. After topping Group B England went on to beat Australia and Fiji, before overcoming New Zealand in the final.
Quarter-Final: England 19 - Australia 14
The win came at the end of a full day, as England started the day facing Australia in the quarter-final. In a close match Australia went ahead early on in the game, before Goucester duo Henry Paul and Simon Amor combined to produce a well-worked try down the middle. Paul set up Ugo Monye for his try, which put England into the lead at half time.
A break from Newcastle Falcons'
Jamie Noon helped put England further ahead. Australia's Chris Yates was sin-binned for a high tackle on Saracens' Richard Haughton, but Austalia still fought back with a second try from their captain Ed Carter. However it was too little too late as England held onto possession until the final whistle went.
Semi-Final: England 24 - Fiji 19
Henry Paul (Gloucester) had What has been described as "a superlative performance" to help Englad secure their place in the final.
Fiji came flying out of the blocks as Sailosi Naiteqe touched down before a single England player had chance to touch the ball. England hit back at the re-start, as Rotherham's Rob Thirlby zig-zagged his way up the pitch for a "superb solo try".
Henry Paul touched down under the posts for England's second try and in first-half injury-time, a score from England captain Phil Greening stretched England's lead further.
With a fourth England try scored by Saracens' Tony Roques at the start of the second half it looked like England were home and dry. However Fiji fought back with two tries from skipper Sireli Bobo late on in the game.
Final: England 22 - New Zealand 17
New Zealand went ahead 7 - 0 with a converted try from Tafai Ioasa, but a try from Harlequins' Monye, reduced the deficit to 7 - 5 at half time.
The on form Henry Paul put England ahead 12 -5 early in the second half, and then Monye was replaced with Haughton, who made the most of his opportunity by scoring twice in three minutes stretching England's lead to 22 - 5.
A try from Roy Kinikilau was followed up with Tafai Ioasa's second try of the match to bring the score to 22 - 17. New Z|ealand kept applying the pressure and but were unable to find a way through. Final score England 22 - New Zealand 17.
Win Dedicated to Nick Duncombe
Joe Lydon, the England Sevens coach, described the win as "very special" and spoke of how the team drew inspiration from the memory of Nick Duncombe.
“Before the day we spoke about absent friends,” said coach Joe Lydon. “We had Nick’s name embroidered on our shirts and wore black armbands.
“Nick epitomised everything that is good about sport and what’s good about rugby and it inspired us.”
Hong Kong 7s: Dowson Scores as England Go Through Hong Kong 7s - Jamie Noon Opens the Scoring
Falcons Fly Out to Hong Kong Sevens
Beijing Falcon To Fly Home Early
