Ben Gollings scored and converted in injury time as England took the Hong Kong Sevens crown by edging past reigning World Cup Sevens champion Fiji 26-24.
In a seesaw match, England opened scoring when Tom Varndell broke through Fiji's defense. Fiji's Jone Daunivucu replied with a try and Waisale Serevi converted, giving the Fijians a 7-5 lead.
England fought back after Fiji temporarily lost Epeli Dranivasa to a foul. Gollings lost his defenders with some quick dashing, then converted. Mathew Tait then scored on a fast break. Gollings converted again, putting England up 19-7 at the half.
PHOTO: AFP
A determined Fiji attacked aggressively in the second half. Back in action, Dranivasa made a try that was successfully converted by Serevi. Semisi Naevo Saukawa and William Ryder then notched successive tries. After regulation, Fiji led 24-19.
But England managed to push forward in injury time, with Gollings scoring and converting to give England the narrow win.
England coach Mike Friday praised his charges -- a mix of old and new -- for keeping their composure.
"We got the ball back. We didn't panic, and our young players looked after the ball and then our senior boys finished it off," he said.
Serevi said Fiji was badly hurt by Dranivasa's absence in the first half.
"It's too much for us in the final with only six of us, especially playing a team like England," he said.
With the win, England moves closer to Fiji in the IRB sevens circuit standings. Fiji still leads with 96 points. England follows with 90 and South Africa is third with 70.
Wales won the plate contest, defeating Kenya 15-5 in the final.
China got on the IRB sevens series scoreboard with 1 point for their 47-0 win in the bowl competition over Taiwan.
On the Net:IRB Rugby Sevens:
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