Day Two at the Glasgow 7s was, as expected, a challenging one for the USA.

A one-point loss to Russia started things off in the Bowl Quarterfinals.

After a difficult, three—point win over Portugal, the Eagles met Kenya in the Shield Final, a team they had beaten soundly on Saturday.

It wasn’t a repeat on Sunday, as Kenya scored four tries to the USA’s two to win 22-14.

Bowl QF
The USA scored three first-half tries against Russia to lead 21-5, with the final try of the half coming with time up, showing that the Americans were determined to put the game away.

But they didn’t. It was Russia that controlled possession more successfully, and scored three tries in the second half. The last, with time up on the clock, won the game for Russia 22-21.

USA 21                                  Russia 22
Tries: Durutalo 2, Hawley
Convs: Niua 3


Shield Semifinals
Stung by the last-second loss, the Eagles found themselves down 7-0 five minutes in against Portugal. But they picked things up after that. Flau Niua’s try tied the game, and then, once again with time up, Mike Palefau scored to put his side up 12-7.

Portugal took the lead once again, with a try from Aderito Esteves. Pedro Leal’s conversions made it 14-12.

Once again, somebody needed end-of-game heroics. This time the Eagles were very patient, keeping the ball almost a minute past full time to score through Andrew Durutalo. 17-14 USA.

USA 17                                  Portugal 14
Tries: Niua, Palefau, Durutalo
Convs: Niuua


Shield Final
Against Kenya in the Shield Final the Eagles led early as they had on Saturday, through a Mike Palefau try. But Kenya did a much better job of getting ball back, and scored twice to lead at halftime.

It just didn’t seem to click for the young USA team, andwhen Biko Aderna scored for Kenya midway through the second half, the game seemed done.

The Eagles mounted something of a comeback. Rocco Mauer chased down a grubber to go over and with Shalom Suniula’s conversion, the score was 17-14 with one more play to go.

The Eagles quickly kicked off and tried to garner the ball for the winning try. It didn’t happen as Kenya, instead, scored to put the game away.

All in all, a difficult Sunday as Head Coach Alex Magleby had warned us about. The USA tackling wasn’t strong on Saturday and hurt them on Sunday.

USA 14                                  Kenya 22
Tries: Palefau, Mauer
Convs: Niua, Suniula


With this result, the USA drops from 10^th in the World Series to tied for 11^th. Scotland, by making the Bowl Semifinal, jump to 41 points and 10^th. Kenya ties the USA at 39 points and 11^th.