Port Elizabeth 7s: Wales 26-10 Eagles

Photo: Martin Seras Lima

Hoping to start out the Port Elizabeth 7s on a positive note to erase some of the memories of Dubai the Eagles competed but not well enough to come away with a victory as Wales won 26-10 in the opening match for both teams.

The U.S. started out the match with a strong bit of possession but weren't able to break down the Welsh defense. The Eagles most threatening chance came when Carlin Isles found space on the wing, but rather than backing himself he chose to pass. That proved to be the incorrect decision as poor passing caused the ball to go out.

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Wales were the first to get on the board after slowly breaking down the Eagles. James Davies, who had a knock-on that might have been the first points of the match, found an easy gap out a ruck to score. After the conversion it was 7-0. After the restart Wales immediately went back on the attack. Once again it was simple passing that put Ashley Evans out alone on the wing. This time the conversion missed making it 12-0 at halftime.

The second half began with Wales immediately getting on the board once again. After taking the restart the ball was quickly recycled where Davies broke through a very poor U.S. defense for his second try. That put the Eagles down 19-0.

The Eagles finally got on the board only a minute later. With an overlap out on the wing Folau Niua sent a nice grubber kick through. Unfortunately the first U.S. player wasn't able to recover but Steve Tomasin was there to pounce. Full credit to Andrew Durutalo on the built up for making some nice runs and doing the hard work at the breakdown.  Unfortunately the conversion missed making it 19-5.

Strong defense on the restart then forced the Wales into a penalty which the U.S. took advantage of for their second try. Some very quick and clean rucking  and passing set up Brett Thompson for a try in the corner. But like the first try the conversion missed. Wales 19-10 Eagles. Thompson nearly made it even closer with a great break only a minute later but he was chased down and the Eagles turned the ball over.

That would be the last good chance for the Eagles. Wales then earned a late try from Rhys Shellard after the hooter to make the final score 26-10. Overall it was a better performance than what was seen in Dubai last weekend. However, the ball was too slow and the defense not sharp enough to get the job done.

Starters: Isles, Edwards, Durutalo, Test, Thompson, Niua, Mizell

Subs Used: Haitsuka, Tomasin, Blair