The USA Men’s Eagle Sevens team went winless on day one of the London Sevens, dropping three tight games to Samoa 17-31, England 5-15, and France 15-19. The USA is now set for the Bowl Quarterfinals where they will take on Wales at 2:52 a.m. EDT.
All of day two will be shown live on UniversalSports.com and on tape delay on Universal Sports on Sunday May 13, 2012from 10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. EDT and NBC Sports Network on Monday May 14, 2012 from 12 a.m. – 2:30 a.m. EDT.
A knock-down-drag-out opener against Samoa saw the USA go down 17-0 early but battle back to 12-17 at halftime thanks to a brace by Zack Test. A score from Colin Hawley leveled the scores, but Samoa scored off of a scrum and added another five pointer before full time to bring the score line to 17-31 Samoa.
England was revved as they ran out in front of 60,000 of their countrymen at Twickenham, but the Eagles gave them real trouble in the first half. Defense was once again the Eagles’ Achilles heel and Tom Mitchell took advantage to open the scoring. The USA tied it up after Rocco Mauer turned the corner on Mat Turner, who is no slouch in terms of pace. Another England score before halftime gave the English the mental advantage at half time. Dan Norton scored the final try of the game to put it away 5-15, and handed the USA an 0-2 record going into the final match of the day against France.
The Eagles turned it on too late against France and a Zack Test try late brought the USA within four points but penalties plagued the team late, and early for that matter, and France was able to clinch the victory.
Defense and players getting isolated after line breaks hurt the Eagles, who will look to turn things around on day two.
USA Head Coach, Alexander Magleby, said, “No excuses on our end. We didn’t perform where we needed to.”
The Eagles still have a shot at hardware and the opportunity to end the Series on a high note in the Bowl Quarterfinals.
Box Scores:
USA 17
Tries: Test (2), Hawley
Cons: Enosa
Samoa 31
Tries: Iosefo (3), Pisi, Afamasaga
Cons: Tupou, Mai (2)
---
USA 5
Tries: Mauer
England 15
Tries:
Mitchell, Edgerley, Norton
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USA 15
Tries: Palefau, Boyd, Test
France 19
Tries: Sourrouille, Saubade (2)
Cons: Zambelli (2)
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