After a disappointing start to day two of the Hong Kong Sevens, Rugby Canada`s National Senior Men`s Sevens Team was able to rebound with a close 10-7 win over Spain.

John Moonlight got Canada on the board in the 3rd minute, scoring a try in the corner that captain Nathan Hirayama was unable to convert. The rest of the half was scoreless; Canada led 5-0 at the break.

With better discipline than their opponents, Canada was able to expand the lead to 10-0 in the second half when Spain had a player sin-binned.

On the resulting penalty kick from the yellow card, Canada pulled off a cross-field kick that allowed Taylor Paris to score in the corner.

Although down to six men, the Europeans managed a late try and conversion through substitute Cesare Sempere. At the final whistle, Canada emerged with a three-point margin for a very important win.

"A pleasing end to the day after a disappointing start against Zimbabwe," said Canada coach Geraint John. "Players showed far more energy and enjoyment with better skill level in the last game and we could have scored a couple more against a very good Spanish team who will be a test for anyone tomorrow."

" The day was bizarre with many results not going according to seeding and past results and form. Tonga lost to Hong Kong who played exceptionally well and won all three of their games."

"Our plan now is to recover, get food inside us and relax for the rest of evening before we have an early start Sunday morning. Our game kicks off at 10.28 local time - which will mean that the day will start at around 6.30am!"

In the other third round game in Pool E, Zimbabwe beat Philippines 21-17.

With the all important win over previously undefeated Spain, Canada tops the table in Pool E. The Canadians will now face Russia in the Competition 2 quarter-finals.

The other quarter-finalists are Hong Kong, Japan, Tonga, Portugal, Spain and Zimbabwe.

CANADA 21, ZIMBABWE 24

Rugby Canada’s National Senior Men’s Sevens Team`s lost their second match of the 2012 Hong Kong Sevens to Zimbabwe 24-21.

The Canadians managed three converted tries but were edged by the African side`s four tries, two conversions. Zimbabwe scored first in the 2nd minute with Tangai Nemadire tallying both the try and conversion. Another Zimbabwe try in the 4th minute meant Canada trailed 12-0.

Canada got on the board in the 6th minute with a Taylor Paris try and Nathan Hirayama conversion. But another unconverted Zimbabwe try mean the Africans led 17-7 at the break.

Two minutes into the second half, Paris scored again and with Hirayama`s conversion, the gap narrowed to 17-14.

But Zimbabwe notched their fourth try in the 11th minute to increase their lead to 10 points with the conversion, 24-14.

Sean White crossed for Canada`s third try in the 12th minute, getting the team within three points again with Hirayama`s conversion, but that would be the end of scoring.

Earlier in the day, Spain defeated Philippines 21-5, taking the lead in Pool E with two wins from two.

The National Men's 7's team is proudly sponsored by Trafigura and Macquarie Financial.

1st half
1:45 Tangai Nemadire ZIM Try
2:08 Tangai Nemadire ZIM Conversion
3:57 Wensley Mbanje ZIM Try
4:31 Tangai Nemadire ZIM ConMiss
5:54 Taylor Paris CAN Try
6:07 Nathan Hirayama (c) CAN Conversion
6:51 Gardener Nechironga ZIM Try
7:27 Tangai Nemadire ZIM ConMiss

2nd half
0:03 Justin Coles ZIM Substitution
1:10 Taylor Paris CAN Try
1:29 Nathan Hirayama (c) CAN Conversion
1:39 Jeffery Hassler CAN Substitution
3:07 Tyler Ardron CAN Substitution
3:41 Wensley Mbanje ZIM Try
3:57 Sean White CAN Substitution
4:05 Tangai Nemadire ZIM Conversion
4:53 Sean White CAN Try
5:10 Nathan Hirayama (c) CAN Conversion
5:18 Manasah Sita ZIM Substitution
5:32 Graham Kaulback ZIM Substitution