Worcester back row Jake Abbott was among the scorers as to help secure England’s victory against Japan at the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.
In a repeat performance of Friday night’s 45-0 victory against Hong Kong, Fylde speedster Nick Royle scored two tries to make his tournament total four and add to England’s seven tries for the win.
England scored four first half tries, captain Ben Gollings (Gold Coast) adding six points with the boot by converting his own well worked try from the kick off then Royle’s two and one from Worcester’s Abbott.
It took England four minutes to add to their 26-0 advantage in the second half and with Japan down to six men, after a yellow card, replacement Josh Drauniniu (Royal Navy/Harlequins) slipped through the midfield defence to go in under the posts and convert his own try. James Rodwell (Moseley) added his 15th try of the IRB Sevens World Series from the restart for Drauniniu to convert.
Oliver Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins), who also scored two in last night’s victory over Hong Kong, scored after the buzzer showing his pace by outrunning Japan’s defence in their own half. Drauniniu’s conversion went wide at the posts to finish on 45-0.
Meanwhile, England Sevens recorded their third victory by beating Wales 26-5 in their last pool match of the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.
Ben Ryan’s side have been dominant all tournament only conceding five points in three matches after wins against Hong Kong (45-0), Japan (45-0) and now Wales which takes them into tomorrow’s Cup competition where they will face Australia.
James Rodwell (Moseley) got England’s opening try, his second today, whilst Christian Wade (London Wasps) went in under the posts after running inside from a ruck. Wales had a try disallowed from the restart for obstruction and England’s captain Ben Gollings (Gold Coast) slotted both conversions to send his team in 14-0 up at the break.
Wales came back at England within the first minute of the second half kicking deep to steal the ball from Oliver Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins) to power over but failed to convert. Lindsay-Hague returned the favour two minutes later with a charge down the wing to go in under the posts for Gollings to convert.
Nick Royle (Fylde) scored his third of the day after receiving Gollings’ offload to go over in the corner before Wales’ Ryhs Shellard was sent to the sin bin.
England kick off against Australia in the Cup quarter final at 12.33pm (local time, GMT+8)
England: Tom Powell (Cambridge), Chris Brightwell (Bedford), Christian Wade (London Wasps), James Rodwell (Moseley), Oliver Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins), Ben Gollings (capt, Gold Coast, Australia), Mat Turner (Bristol Rugby)
Replacements: Josh Drauniniu (Royal Navy/Harlequins), Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors), Nick Royle (Fylde), Dan Caprice (Blackheath), Don Barrell (Saracens)
Scorers: Tries: Rodwell, Wade, Lindsay-Hague, Royle; Cons: Gollings (3)
Hong Kong Sevens fixtures and results:
March 26, England 45-0 Hong Kong
March 27, England 45-0 Japan
March 27, England 26-5 Wales
March 28, Cup quarter final England v Australia