Hong Kong Sevens  Results Day 2 - Saturday 28 March 2009

- Click here for Coverage and Results of Day 3 of the 2009 Sevens -

On Saturday, the sky was overcast, and rain forecast, but still an improvement over Friday. The South Stand was a colourful sea of mad costumes and people have come from all over the world to what many regard as the most exciting Sevens event in the world for one thing, and one thing only - to party! Er, and, of course, to enjoy a fair bit of thrilling rugby at the same time.

The infamous South Stand was announced full at just after 10:30 and the rest of the stadium is filled fast. The atmosphere was electric and people were clearly determined to forget all the economic woes, doom and gloom, and party like mad.

The rugby kicked off at 10:30 with the opening match of the day between the USA and West Indies. All the games played on Saturday were as follows:

The obvious big hitters have been outclassing their opponents and winning by some massive margins in these pool games. The only surprise of the day so far, is perhaps the 31 - 7 win for Kenya over Scotland. China played a great game against Wales, fighting hard and were unfortunate to lose by two points. Canada also proved very tough opposition for Fiji, with the 26 - 17 score line flattering the islanders who were not their usual creative, hard hitting selves. To show how close the match was, at half time the score was 14 - 12 in Fiji's favour. In their second game, Scotland seemed a little more alert, but still only just managed to scrape past the West Indies 19 - 17. It is not just the US and Canada which have dramatically improved their game in recent times, Kenya have also come on leaps and bounds, managing to win the game against the US 19 - 12, and in doing so progressing to the next round.

The crowd erupts as the final five games of the day get underway with what is sure to be a tightly contested cruncher between Fiji and Samoa. At half time the score was 7 - 12. In the second, Fiji take less than 40 seconds to even the scores, misses the conversion and the game ends 12 - 12.

With Portugal's poor showing against Hong Kong earlier in the day, there was only likely to be one winner in the next game between Argentina and Portugal. It took Argentina two minutes to put the first points on the board, and Portugal have not looked like a threat, in fact I am not sure they have even entered Argentina's half at all. At half time the score, after three missed conversions, was 15 - 0. Then after three and a half minutes of the second, Portugal scored a converted try from their only attack of the game so far. And then again in the their second attack, and suddenly this game is very close. 15 - 14. But Argentina grasp a last second try and win the game 22 - 14.

With the stadium at its capacity of 40,000, a lot of noise is expected for the next three massive games. Next up New Zealand v Australia.

Australia draws first blood with a well worked try but misses the conversion. 0 - 5. It takes New Zealand the entire half to respond, but respond they do, with the clock already run out, and down to six men, they score a try, miss the the conversion, and at half time it is 5 - 5. New Zealand start the second half at full strength, as X returns from the sin bin, and what a difference that makes, as New Zealand score an impressive try after just one minute to take the lead for the first time in the game. 12 - 5. New Zealand are a different team in the second half, they are in full control and showing the class that has made them one of, if not the greatest team in the world. The game ends 17 - 5.

Next up the Sevens World Champions - Wales and their old foe England! And it is England, after 1 1/2 minutes that score a well worked try, with Varndell showing off his speed before laying off the ball. 5-0. Again Varndell shows why he is one of the best in the world, with magic feet and lightning speed, he lays it off and England this time convert the try to make it 12 - 0. A chip and chase with 1.38 minutes left and Philips score under the post. Converted try makes it 19 - 0 and England are in excellent form and have yet to conceded a point in this tournament, The siren goes but England decide not to kick out, and skillfully play their way down the pitch to score another converted try. At half time it is 26 - 0. Wales do respond, after two minutes of the second they score a converted try to make it 26 -7. Wales had their wake up call in the first half, and with just 3 minutes to go they score a second try to make it 26 - 12. A final try from Wales ends the game 26 - 19.

The final game of the day matches South Africa against France. It is the French which start the strongest and their hard work pays off with a try after two minutes. 0 - 7. South Africa responds in style with a try under the posts and a successful conversion to make it 7 - 7 which is how it remains at half time. A thrilling second half, levels the score to 12 - 12 before South Africa score a last minute converted try, and then a last second converted try to finish the game 26 - 12.

The forecast at the beginning of the day was for rain but while a little humid and overcast, it has been a perfect day for rugby, not too hot and a nice refreshing breeze. The weather was ideal, and the rugby exemplary, what tomorrow brings, who knows, but one thing is for sure that a day of fun, and rugby sevens of the highest level is on the menu. Don't miss it! Coverage of the 3rd Day of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.

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