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Saturday, 21 May 2011 14:34 |
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France Downs USA in Final Pool Match |
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Sevens -
USA Sevens Men
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The USA ended what looked to be a promising Day One at the London 7s in disappointing fashion, dropping a 24-17 decision to France on their third pool match.
A win for the Eagles would have vaulted them into the Cup Quarterfinals, however it was not to be.
France scored seconds into the match, and while the Eagles replied through Mike Palefau, the USA was constantly chasing the match. Jean Baptiste Gobelet and Mathieu Acebes scored just before halftime to give France a 17-5 lead at the break. Colin Hawley made it 17-10, but Acebes punished the Americans again to make it to put his side ahead 24-10.
The Eagles could not get the comeback they engineered against Argentina. Zack Test scored a try, converted by Shalom Suniula, but it was way too late.
The USA ends pool play 1-2, and last in Pool B on a bizarre day when England ends up 1-1-1 and 3rd.
The USA faces Spain in the first mach of Day Two.
USA 17
Tries: Palefau Hawley, Test
Convs: S. Suniula
France 24
Tries: Acebes 2, Gobelet, Igna
Convs: Acebes 2
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Saturday, 21 May 2011 07:48 |
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USA Lose Close One at London 7s |
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Sevens -
USA Sevens Men
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The USA started well at the London 7s but couldn’t quite keep hosts England at bay long enough.
After falling behind 14-0 to England thanks to tries from Ben Gollings and Tom Powell, both converted by Gollings, the Eagles stormed back to tie things at halftime. Captain Matt Hawkins scored the first try, and then after a long sequence that went on almost a minute pas the hooter, Paul Emerick’s score leveled it at 14-14.
A minute into the second half the USA took the lead when Shalom Suniula danced over, and converted as well to make it 21-14. From then on it was a battle as both defenses clamped down.
Dan Norton’s try made it 21-19 USA still ahead, but that wasn’t enough. Norton put away two more as time ran out to give England a 31-21 victory.
The USA, however, could take some solace in pushing a heavily favored England close, but that double-edged sword is that the Eagles led with just a minute left on the close, and couldn’t hold it.
England 31
Tries: Norton 3, Powell, Gollings
Convs: Gollings 3
USA 21
Tries: Hawkins, Emerick, S. Suniula
Convs: S. Suniula 2, Enosa
Starting Lineup: Hawkins, Test, Emerick, Enosa, S. Suniula, Hawley,Palefau
Subs: R. Suniula at 1:55 2nd Half; Malifa at 5:34 2nd Half; Dolan at 5:52 2nd Half.
Not used: Craigwell, Boyd
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Saturday, 21 May 2011 10:44 |
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Eagle 7s Pull Off Stunner |
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Sevens -
USA Sevens Men
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 The USA pulled off an incredible upset at the London 7s to defeat Argentina 22-21.
The Eagles looked completely overmatched for ten minutes of the 14-minute match. At that point they had completed only three passes, as Argentina had dominated possession, scoring early, through Francisco Merello and then late in the first half through Francisco Cuneo to lead 14-0.
At the beginning of the second half it looked like more of the same. Gonzalo Gutierrez Taboada running well in support to score Argentina’s third and a 21-0 lead with five minutes to go.
Finally, though, the USA got some possession and decided to use it. First Mike Palefau linked with Tai Enosa to send the youngster in at the corner. 21-5 and still looking a hopeless cause for the Americans.
But right off the kickoff the Eagles pressured and Enosa grabbed the ball, dummied and was in under the posts. Enosa’s conversion made it 21-12.
Miles Craigwell, on since two minutes into the second half, tested the Argentina defense repeatedly, and did well to retain possession. We was rewarded as Paul Emerick broke through wide, passed to Matt Hawkins, who then sent a long, flat pass inside to Craigwell, who twisted over the line. 21-17 with less than a minute to go.
The Eagles then sent Zack Test up high to reclaim the kick, He couldn’t, but Argentina, still needing to run out the clock, couldn’t do it. A promising break ended with a knock on, and one more chance for the USA with 17 seconds to go. Head Coach Al Caravelli put on Justin Boyd as fresh legs on the wing and in the hopes the speedster would get to be the hero.
From the scrum, Argentina pushed early. The USA tapped and attacked right, and then spun the ball back left. A worrying moment, then, as Craigwell was bottled up and seemed about to be thrown into touch. He set the ruck, through, and Palefau did well to clear out. The ball rolled out the back of the ruck and Hawkins, the former water polo player, slapped the ball straight back to Shalom Suniula. Quickly the Americans sent the ball all the way out to Boyd, who had enough space and no time left to score in the corner.
Twickenham went wild as the Americans pulled off an improbably victory.
“We believe in ourselves,” said a breathless Craigwell.
And really, all they needed was the ball.
The win was crucial for the USA if they are to make the Cup Round. They are now tied with everyone else in their pool after France upset England. Everyone, England, France, Argentina and the USA, is 1-1.
The USA faces France with the winner gaining a place in the Cup Quarterfinals.
USA 22
Tries: Enosa 2, Craigwell, Boyd
Convs: Enosa
Starters: Hawkins, Test, Emerick, S. Suniula, Enosa, Hawley, Palefau
Subs: Craigwell in at 2:03 of 2nd Half; Malifa in at 5:46 of 2nd Half; Boyd in at 6:43 of 2nd Half
Argentina 21
Tries: Tabuada, Cuneo, Merello
Convs: Tabuada 3
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Saturday, 21 May 2011 01:56 |
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CPD Teams Meet |
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Colleges -
College DI-A
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Roughly two-thirds of the College Premier Division teams met Friday night in Salt Lake City to discuss the first season and what issues need to be address in the off-season.
The discussion addressed marketing and branding – a key to generating more sponsorship income – as well as costs. The meeting also touched on what programs will be dropping out of the CPD.
Already Friday Tennessee put out a press release confirming that they will move back DI. Several reports say LSU and Dartmouth are also going to leave the competition for DI. Meanwhile, UC Davis and Claremont Colleges are reportedly still considering their options.
The CPD members have agreed to a July 1 deadline for a decision in or out. Meanwhile, Arizona Head Coach David Sitton, with the help of others, is putting together a list of qualification criteria for DI programs that want to move up.
There is no policy of a one-for-one replacement (such as, if three teams drop out, three would be added). It’s quite possible that no DI teams could be added. But if LSU and Dartmouth do indeed join Tennessee, the Mid-South will be down to five teams, while other conferences will have seven or eight, so we might see some realignment.
Other issues on the table? Cost sharing, the idea that all members kick in some money up front to help defray costs for traveling playoff teams. This topic is apparently still being discussed.
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