The TIAR website fundraiser is in it's final week. If you've enjoyed what you read on TIAR please consider making a donation. CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
The Eagles have found themselves in the Bowl competition for their second straight tournament after losing to Australia 26-10 in their second match at the Dubai 7s. England beat Kenya in the previous match eliminating the Eagles. The U.S. will now play Kenya in a match that will determine their seeding on day two.
Like they did against England the Eagles got out to a very strong start. The team looked aggressive early with strong runs, sharp movement, and solid passing putting Australia under pressure. The U.S. nearly had the first score a minute in when Danny Barrett found himself feet from the try line but was pushed into touch.
Take the jump to read more.
Still, with all the possession very early the U.S. was eventually rewarded when Martin Iosefo scored his first Sevens Series try. The Eagles did a good job of swinging the ball around the pitch where Iosefo used Perry Baker as a decoy and made a strong run to the corner. The conversion missed but the Eagles led 5-0 and looked strong.
It wouldn't last. After their initial try the Eagles found themselves without possession for long stretches. Although their defense initially held up and limited the Australian attack the lack of a forced turnover eventually allowed Ed Jenkins to find a gap and score to make it 7-5. Cameron Clark would add to that lead only a minute later after a fantastic move forced the U.S. into missed tackles. Australia would take a 14-5 lead into the break after the conversion.
Like in the first half the U.S. started strong with a Test run down the sideline. However, once he was caught it was Australia once again that would capitalize. Simple play out wide from Australia and the U.S. inability to keep up saw Pama Fou increase the lead to 21-5.
The Eagles did respond late in the match when Carlin Isles scored a typical Isles try by burning the Australian defense. That made the score 21-10 but after Jenkins immediately responded for Australia it was too little too late.
Possession killed the Eagles once again. Sevens is a simple game where possession is key. If you have it, you score. If you don't have it, they score. Without possession the Eagles found themselves defending for long stretches and unable to release players like Baker.
The U.S. will now face Kenya at 11:09 a.m. et/8:09 a.m. pt. The U.S. must win that match in order to assure themselves a higher seed on day two. If not, they could find themselves in the Shield before they know it.
Starters: Barrett, Durutalo, Iosefo, Test, Niua, Hughes, Baker