England men have played well and won the bronze medal in Dubai in the event opening leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series (HSBCWRSS). They secured bronze after defeating Fiji in their final game.
On the day one of the event, the team won the Pool B with registering three wins from three, in the last eight Simon Amor side faced Australia and progressed with a win of 26-19, but despite the early score of Ruaridh McConnochie they lost narrowly against New Zealand with the score 5-14, however, the team recovered to beat the Fijians with the score 28-21.
- Bronze delight
In the tight final match, the hitch kick of Tom Bowen and burst of pace put team England ahead after 40 seconds of the match, but Fiji was not the team to give up easily, it responded to level with their own try, and then registered their lead in the match when Vatemo Ravouvou intercepted a pass of Will Edwards.
The running lines of England and offloading saw Phil Burgess stroll in. And before Tom Mitchell was introduced to the game as a replacement five tries were scored in the first seven minutes, but England had good position of 21-14.
Nevertheless, England held out to finish third in the tournament before the second round of the series, which is going to take place in Cape Town on the next weekend.
- Last gasp winner
In the semi-final match, the team has a tense clash with New Zealand, but with the efforts of Ruaridh McConnochie England got off the perfect start as he took a pass of Mitchell and opened up to score out big and wide.
The Joseva Ravouvou of All Backs wing scored twice though in an end-to-end game as they secured a place in the final, they lost to winners South Africa.