USA win Plate in Emirates sevens
U.S. Men Win Shield in Dubai Sevens
DUBAI – The U.S. Men’s Sevens Team took home the Shield from the first IRB Sevens World Series event in Dubai on Saturday, beating Scotland and the Arabian Gulf enroute to the Eagles first hardware win of the season.
The U.S. finishes the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens tournament 4-2, losing to France in the Bowl quarterfinals, but then coming back to finish strong with two victories in the Shield bracket. The USA just squeaked by Scotland, 17-14, and then really took it to the Arabian Gulf, winning 31-7, to walk away with the Shield in the Eagles first event as a ‘core’ side on the IRB Sevens World Series.
The Eagles were able to quiet the home crowd with tries by Nese Malifa, Justin Boyd (2), captain Chris Wyles and vice-captain Todd Clever. The hosts scored once through Taif Al Delamie.
”There’s definitely an expectation to perform (now that we are considered a ‘core’ team),” U.S. Captain Chris Wyles said. “We aren’t happy with where we are right now, but it’s nice to come away with some hardware. We are a better team, though, and our expectation is to be better.”
In the Cup Finals, South Africa overcame England in a dramatic finish to become the Champions of Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens, winning 19-12, and getting their 2008/09 IRB Sevens World Series campaign off to the perfect start.
The teams are back at it again next weekend as they head to South Africa and face off in the second IRB Sevens World Series event in George.
The Women’s U.S. Sevens Team lost their only match on Saturday, falling to Saudex Wooden Spoon 17-7 in the International Women’s tournament in Dubai. The Wooden Spoon Team would fall to England’s Sporting Chance Foundation in the final, 12-10.
For more information on the IRB Sevens World Series, visit www.irbsevens.com. For more information on the U.S. Sevens Teams, visit www.usarugby.org or contact Sara John at sjohn@usarugby.org.
Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens
Second Day Results
Bowl Quarterfinals
Wales 26, Arabian Gulf 7
Portugal 19, Georgia 7
France 22, USA 12
Zimbabwe 19, Scotland 5
Cup Quarterfinals
New Zealand 21, Kenya 17
England 15, Argentina 5
Fiji 12, Samoa 7
South Africa 19, Australia 0
Shield Semifinals
Arabian Gulf 22, Georgia 12
USA 17, Scotland 14
Bowl Semifinals
Portugal 24, Wales 0
France 17, Zimbabwe 12
Plate Semifinals
Kenya 26, Argentina 24
Samoa 17, Australia 14
Cup Semifinals
England 21, New Zealand 19
South Africa 10, Fiji 7
Shield Finals
USA 31, Arabian Gulf 7
Bowl Finals
Portugal 24, France 0
Plate Finals
Samoa 12, Kenya 7
Cup Finals
South Africa 19, England 12
First Day Results
New Zealand 28, Wales 7
Australia 21, Zimbabwe 12
South Africa 31, Scotland 10
Kenya 28, Arabian Gulf 7
Samoa 19, France 14
Argentina 26, Georgia 7
Fiji 47, USA 12
England 31, Portugal 7
New Zealand 43, Zimbabwe 7
Australia 22, Wales 17
South Africa 33, Arabian Gulf 0
Kenya 38, Scotland 0
Samoa 33, Georgia 7
Argentina 21, France 7
Fiji 12, Portugal 0
England 24, USA 10
Wales 26, Zimbabwe 12
Scotland 19, Arabian Gulf 14
France 14, Georgia 12
Portugal 22, USA 12
New Zealand 33, Australia 7
South Africa 31, Kenya 0
Samoa 19, Argentina 5
England 28, Fiji 5
