Scotland Join Top Seeds In Cup Quarters

Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand all went unbeaten on day one of the Steinlager USA Sevens in San Diego to top their pools, while Australia’s dramatic victory over England secured them a first Cup quarter final place since Dubai and denied hosts USA. The USA earlier recorded a first pool win for three years against Kenya but needed England to beat Australia by 10 points to reach the last eight. Scotland’s fine victory over Argentina earlier paved the way for them to make a first Cup quarter final of the season. In the day’s other upsets Kenya beat Australia and Chile recorded a fine 19-17 victory over Canada.Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand all went unbeaten on day one of the Steinlager USA Sevens in San Diego to top their pools, while Australia’s dramatic victory over England secured them a first Cup quarter final place since Dubai and denied hosts USA. The USA earlier recorded a first pool win for three years against Kenya but needed England to beat Australia by 10 points to reach the last eight. Scotland’s fine victory over Argentina earlier paved the way for them to make a first Cup quarter final of the season. In the day’s other upsets Kenya beat Australia and Chile recorded a fine 19-17 victory over Canada. Cup quarter final line up: Fiji v South Africa New Zealand v England Australia v France South Africa Pool A Fiji again went unbeaten on day one to top pool A. Mosese Volavola’s hat trick inspired Serevi’s men to an opening 57-5 win over Scotland and then the West Indies felt the heat 55-7 before Argentina proved a sterner test, going down 19-5 with Etonia Naba grabbing a brace. Earlier Thom Evans inspired Scotland to a fine 17-12 win in the crucial tie of the pool. The Pumas earlier overcame a dogged West Indies display to win 31-0 but the Scots also beat the men from the Caribbean and proceed to the Cup quarter finals for the first time this season. Pool B Skipper Uale Mai inspired Samoa to an important 21-14 win over South Africa to top the group and book a quarter final against Scotland. South Africa will face Fiji in the pick of the last eight ties. Samoa earlier overcame the tough challenge of fellow islanders Tonga, Mikaele Pesamino again among the tries, and Ryno Benjamin inspired the Boks to a 33-0 victory over Portugal. The Samoans consolidated against Portugal 29-14 but the South Africans top the group on points difference after their 19-0 victory over the Tongans. Pool C Australia came back from the disappointment of losing to Kenya early in the day to outplay England and win 19-14, Niwa, Rasmus and Cummins each scoring a try. The win secured top place in the pool for Glen Ella’s side and a quarter final match up against France, meaning that one of those two sides will make a first Cup semi final of the season. Earlier the Kenyans provided an upset by beating the experienced Australian side 21-12 but they then lost to hosts USA. The Kenyan’s do, however, look back to something near their best form, Sidney Ashioya’s pace a vital ingredient in Benjamin Ayimba’s newlook side, while Jone Naqica and Mike Palefau inspired the Eagles. Pool D New Zealand rounded off a day of mixed form with a 26-0 win over France to top pool D and book a quarter final against England. Gordon Tietjens’ side was forced into top gear early on by an inspired Canada, youngster Steven Yates scoring a hat trick as the kiwis ran out 31-19 winners, but the Canadians then failed to fire against France, going down 21-5, and Chile, the South Americans recording a fine 19-17 win with the final kick of the match. The French earlier opened up with a 28-5 victory over the Chileans. The France-Chile game was also notable for the fact that it was the first ever senior men’s international match to be refereed by a woman, Dana Teagarden of the USA.