News

Few suprises in Hong Kong

Friday 28th March 2008

Will they prevail again?

All the big guns recorded wins on the opening day of the Hong Kong Sevens, with usual suspects New Zealand and Fiji in fine form.

In the opening match, Australia laboured somewhat to a 24-12 win over hosts Hong Kong, but Kenya suffered no such problems, racing to a 47-0 victory over China, including 22 points from Lavin Asego.

Fiji and South Africa also eased to comparatively easy wins, beating Korea 42-7 and Japan 40-7 respectively.

Fiji actually went behind to the Koreans, with Yang Young-Hun scoring an early try, but William Ryder led Fiji to six tries of their own.

Samoa also took it easy in captain Uali Mai's record-breaking 51st tournament, beating Sri Lanka 35-7.Alafoti Fa'osiliva scored a hat-trick for the Samoans

Two tries each by Tomasi Cama and Steven Yates inspired runaway series leaders New Zealand to a 50-5 win against Waisale Serevi's Chinese Taipei side, but the loudest cheer of teh day was for Wu Wei-Luan's solitary try at the death for the Taiwanese.

Wales started well against Zimbabwe, captain Jonathan Edwards touching down twice in their comfortable 34-0 win. Scotland also remain on course for a 10th successive Cup quarter-final after they saw off gutsy Portugal 26-10.

Santiago Gomez Cora broke the Sevens try-scoring record with two tries in Argentina's 33-0 win over Russia, with a brace taking his tally to 183.

Finally, Sale's Chris Mayor helped england to come from behind against Canada and record a 24-12 win, France produced the surprise of the day in beating Tonga 21-7 in the final game, and the USA edged to a 26-21 win over Tunisia in the day's final game.

Fixtures:
(Kick-off time is local = GMT +8)

Day One - Friday, 28 March:
Match 1: Australia 24 Hong Kong 12
Match 2: Kenya 47 China 0
Match 3: Fiji 42 Korea 7
Match 4: South Africa 40 Japan 7
Match 5: Samoa 35 Sri Lanka 7
Match 6: New Zealand 50 Chinese Taipei 5
Match 7: Tonga 7 France 21
Match 8: Scotland 26 Portugal 10
Match 9: Wales 34 Zimbabwe 0
Match 10: Argentina 33 Russia 0
Match 11: England 24 Canada 12
Match 12: USA 26 Tunisia 21