Photos Ian Muir

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 2^nd Half; Malifa at 5:34 2^nd Half; Dolan at 5:52 2^nd Half.
Not used: Craigwell, Boyd