• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

21:42
So one of either Scotland or Portugal to make it through to the Cup Semi - great stuff, both thoroughly deserved I hasten to add. The rest of the 8 sides are into the Bowl Quarters, so tomorrow as usual on 'Knockout Sunday' is going to be mega. Join me here tomorrow morning so I can talk you through it all over again! Ciao for now kids, I need some sleep.. xoxo

21:36
Some very interesting/completely unexpected looking Quarter-Final line ups for tomorrow....! Listen to the sound of these.

Portugal v Scotland
Fiji v New Zealand
England v Australia
South Africa v France

21:34
Pool B - England v Samoa

First it’s head-taped Barrett going blind and sneaking in the corner. Shoddy tackling from Phillips and Biggs lets in Fa’osiliva though and it’s Samoa 7-England 12. Biggs then creates two peaches of scores. First he cuts in beautifully and then it’s the razor sharp Gollings who finishes under the sticks, a minute later it’s Biggs who jinks round Levasa popping majestically into the bulldozing Cracknell. 17-7 at the half.

Bad start for the hosts as Barrett rather tamely pulls out of a challenge and lets Pesamino in. Young comes on for Barrett and immediately makes inroads, cutting a gap after patient approach play from Phillips and it’s 24-14 to England. Young surely has to start tomorrow for Ben Ryan - he’s off again dummying to put through Vickerman in to confirm England’s unbeaten run today. England and France go through to the Cup!

Result: England 31 Samoa 14

21:34
Last game of the day and I hate to repeate myself but this is mighty open once again. England are through but can Samoa join them, or will it be France in this Pool B? All this Pool ‘math’ is not condusive for a first class dyslexic like my good self...

21:15
Yes they have - NZ's late burst puts through Portugal to the Cup!

Stumpy Update: Back in ‘Kenyan Corner’ cheering a bowing Kenya side who have quite rightly gone to thank their supporters for a pretty monumental effort today – great scenes, although must be gutting they haven’t got through to the Cup. Stumpster is arranging plans to join the rest of the fans for the notorious ‘Kenya Vibe’ parties tonight. Just realised something, considering he ditched the Supergirl Outfit a few hours ago, what on earth is he wearing now?!

21:10
Pool D - Argentina v New Zealand

Classic stuff form the Kiwis, using the widths as only they can for a few phases left and right and it's Mr. New Zealand Sevens himself, Zar Lawrence, who glides effortlessly in. More of the same from a clinical New Zealand, who always seem to convert field position into points, and it’s Tomasi Cama who dots over the whitewash and then converts himself. 12- 0 at Oranges.

New boy Baker (similarly tragic hair-do to SA’s Kyle Brown) evades the lunges of Moyano and Gomez Cora to go in early in the second period and Savea follows suit shortly after and it’s 26-0 to NZ. More good work from Lawrence stitching his man a right treat and hitting the highly rated Souness to extend the lead further. Pumas are out on their feet and Souness rushes through a midfield gap to rub further salt into the Argentinean wounds, and have the South Americans blown their Cup chances?

Result: New Zealand 40 Argentina 0

20:47

Pool C – Kenya v Fiji

All the impetus with Fiji hassling the Africans into mistakes, and there’s numbers right which Goneva gleefully capitalises on. Goneva looks inspired, he runs a super slashing line off Kolinisau and is in to make it 12-0 Fiji. I love how these Kenyans back themselves on the outside, Injera playing in the centres for that move feeds a shifting Ashioya who rounds Kolinisau with consummate ease. Fiji 12 Kenya 5.

Edgy stuff here to start – who wants this more? Looks like Fiji who enjoy some good continuity and eventually do enough to work Burotu into space and he is so powerful and strong. 19-5 Kenya and time is running out. What a Pool this has been! Fiji score again and I think that might be enough for the Fijians to go through and Kenya have not done enough. Scotland and Fiji go though!

Result: Fiji 26 Kenya 5

20:26
SA look like champions to me. Winning ugly is what it’s all about when taking out a long World Series...

Another huuuge fixture now – Kenya/Fiji. These two have had some almighty scraps so far season with the Kenyans often disrupting the fluidity of Tanivula’s troops. The unpredictable Fiji need a win to have a chance to go into the Cup...it’s not looking too hot for them though if I’m honest. Small pockets of Fijian fans dotted around Twickers, urging their side to pull a proverbial rabbit out the bag here, need to win by 14 points.

20:23
Pool A - South Africa v Australia

Australia seem up for this with good harrying from Stannard and Foley. SA put the squeeze on, though, and Aussies just about hanging on for their dear lives, until Mbiyozo eventually breaks the shackles and a despairing dive from Foley. Sills makes a lung bursting run - where’s the Aussie support?

The effervescent Bishop skins big Frankie Horne to go all the way from the re-start, and the Aussies lead the Boks 7-5. He may have a ropey ole barnet (80’s mullet) but he’s a clever nuggety cookie is Kyle Brown, spotting a miniscule gap blind and taking full advantage, parity restored for SA. Game on! Another lively run form Bishop finds Sills who's got to be one of the quickest here cruising in and the Aussies are up by 4. I’m loving this, it’s now Zangqa whose good works finds Aplon, SA by 1 now.

Result: South Africa 17 Australia 14

20:08
By my calculations that beats the 47-0 win Samoa had over Georgia, so the Islanders need a big performance against England at the end of the day.

Part of the reason for the Bok’s success this year has been Paul Treu’s ability to cultivate a wonderful team spirit and a never-say-die attitude which has got them through the tough fixtures – they will need that mettle now with the Aussies in their way – we’re into the tasty fixtures now. Boom. SA/Oz.

20:02
Pool B - France v Georgia

France go ahead early and it’s Albaladejo who enjoys an easy trot into the corner after some nice work from Patey. Next it’s Jacques Boussuge who gets his hands on the ball, he stops, then accelerates away past Begadze. Hero to villain for Boussuge as he gets badly stepped by Tuchashvili and that’s the Georgians first score. Boussuge is everywhere. He now ghosts in from 60m – sharp. 17-7 at the half.

Combezou is in for an early brace at the beginning of this half. Simple hands from the French line on both occasions and the points keep clocking. It’s 36-7. Now Andreu finds some space linking with Patey before going under the sticks. Classic bit of ‘Tom and Jerry’ from Dabrin and Tuchashvili with the former bringing up France’s half ton. Michel finishes it supporting well from Durquets mini-break.

Result: France 57 Georgia 7

19:42
Stumpy Update: The big man has had a few and has ditched Super-Girl outfit. Carrying a wedgie all day didn’t work for him, and he felt like ‘Rafa Nadal in between points’ (Rafa for those who don’t know has an annoying habit of scratching his backside...a lot). He’s played a bit of touch rugger on the concourse outside the stadium, caught the end of the European Final (Leinster beat Leicester 19-16), and is now attempting to start a conga in the East Stand.

Following their draw with Samoa, France are very much in the running for Cup Qualification from this group - they will be hunting some quick points here...

19:22
During that half-time it was like Hong Kong all over again with a sea of streakers flooding the place! Who are these security guards? They have no pace whatsoever as some-one in a ‘Thunderbirds’ outfit makes a mokery of them with a jinking run which has the whole of Twickers on their feet for a full minute or two!

19:20
Pool C - Scotland v USA

Scotland have played it simple all day, working the widths really well and being patient. This they do once again to good effect and it’s Ally Hogg, the veteran 15s player, who cruises through. 5-0 Scotland. This time they use the short side well with Grant constantly sucking in men for fun, before releasing Turnbull. Forrest then goes in again and they are in a hurry here as Coach Gemmell urges them to get back quickly for the re-start. 21-0.

This is good news for the Scots as they are racking the points up here nicely putting the pressure on Fiji in the group – Houston is in early breaking a weak and tired US tackle. More dithering from the US and it’s Colin Gregor who capitalises and he won’t score an easier one that. 33-0. Scots suck up a host of US pressure but Turnbull steals it and goes in to rub salt into the US wounds. Have the Scots done enough to get in the Cup?

Result:Scotland 40 – USA 0

18:55
Only seems like 5 minutes that Scotland were on but they're back now, and that’s the nature of the 2 day 16 team tournament. Enjoyed watching a good friend of UR7s, PJ Komongnan today. He’s a lovely bloke, tiny in stature but possesses the most outrageous step. Had the good fortune of playing 7s with him for a match earlier this year in San Diego against Mexican Under 23s...yes I did score and yes I quickly subbed myself soon after thanks to my stamina which is, frankly, an embarrassment.

US/Scots are up and they need as many points at they can to try and secure their passage through to the Cup.

18:55
Pool A - Wales v Germany

Early brace from Ifan Evans, both long distance efforts, and he is looking good here today. Craig Hill – who if you remember scored the last minute try to knock the Kiwis out the World Cup – is on hand belying his big frame with a swift turn of feet. 19-0 @ Oranges.

Nice from Tal Selley, who look means and uncompromising, boshing over. Hurrah back come the Germans...with Tekkal and Pipa (Augustus Glump lookalike) combining for Benjamkin Simm to go in, never known a Twickers crowd to enjoy a German try so much! Turnover – and Will Harries accepts gleefully, rushing down the touchline. 33-5 to Wales. Issacs and Merriman make sure it’s a bit of a thumping with two late scores – simply too rapido for the courageous Germans.

Result: Wales 45 Germany 5

18:42                                                                                                                                                Can see a couple of the ‘17th team’ warming up down below me. They are the pool of talented local players, who some of the teams might have to call upon if there is a freak number of injuries to their squad.

This rarely happens but it’s a pretty good gig apparently according to my work colleague, Stewart ‘Gas’ Turton, who performed the role admirably during the last couple of years. Quote him – ‘Didn’t really do much apart from tucking into the free buffet – it was surreal scoffing sarnies down in the player changing room with Serevi and William Ryder looking on wondering who this journeymen was’.

18:15
Stumpy Update: ‘Kenya Corner’ is awesome apparently as they are giving out free pies and beers to anyone getting in the spirit of things! They are apparently pretty confident of their chances, but you don’t win anything on Day 1, we will see 'ey.

Random England Rugby Fact: England have never won their home leg the London 7s.

18:15
Pool B - Samoa v France

England are already through, so who is joining them out of these two? Good start from France with Dabrin going through some lazy ‘D’ to make it 5-0. Back comes Samoa though with good build up from Lui finding Fa’osilivia to level things up. See-saw stuff as Albaladejo again gives Les Bleus the lead, only for Levasa to level once again. 12 apiece at drinks.

Samoa, as they often are on Day 1, look flat and Dabrin should not have had that space. And now it's the most experienced man in the team throwing wobbly passes – captialised by Combezou and it’s 26-12 to France! As you would expect, back storm the Islanders with Fa’osiliva scything through a hole to reduce the arrears. Lui screams through against an exhausted French ‘D’ to pop to Levasa and Samoa have got out of jail with a draw – another cracking game.

Result: Samoa 26 France 26

17:57
Talking of cricket scores, just had a message through from my mate who I was meant to be playing ‘social’ cricket for this afternoon. The Exeter University Old Boys, as they have dubbed themselves, are struggling. Fielding first the boys got flogged for 254 for 3 dec, in reply it’s 17 for 4. Tough break.

‘All Starz’ cheerleaders are on jiving to "Macarena" – reminds me of school discos aged 11, hopelessly trying to show off to the females with my knowledge of the ‘routine’ – smooth operator. Can see quality fancy dress below me as a giant banana and pineapple jumping up and down on their seats, where on earth do these people get such ridiculous stash!

17:48
Pool B - England v Georgia

Patient stuff from England, slowly wearing down the Georgians and it’s Gollings who steps and accelerates away to get them going. Nice tap back from Rodwell and it’s Biggs who chips and wins the race. Mickey Young fancies a bit of the action now doing his own chipping, chasing, and scoring. 19-0. The lanky red haired Rodwell is having a roam now and his elusive pace is too much for the hapless Georgians. 26-0.

With Varndell out the picture it gives Biggs his starting place back and he’s keen to impress here, jinking and powering round Begadze. Vickerman and Young score two more England tries, the latter a lovely dummy from the ‘pocket’ position. Turning ugly out there for Georgia with a fresh replacement in man mountain Uche Oduoza shifting the gears to make 54-0. Big Uche is in again now after a textbook delay from Gollings who then casually hits a touchline conversion.

Result England 61 Georgia 0
 

17:28
England were meant to have Tom Varndell for this leg but the Leicester Tigers required his services for the small matter of the Heinikien Cup final which about to take place in Murrayfield – my destination for next week's IRB Sevens leg. Ryan’s squad still looks very solid indeed, with Phillips, Gollings, Biggs etc. Like the look of livewire Mickey Young who impressed in the early season in Dubai back in Dec 08, can the Georgians stop it becoming a cricket score?

17:28                                                                                                                                                Pool D - New Zealand v Portugal

Simple hands for Tietjen’s troops and Savea who was carving up earlier gets another. Solomon King is a handful and has been badly missed this season, here he evades Silva to double the advantage to 10-0. Leal rushes up and his caught flapping as Lote Raikabula is left in too much space.

King grabs another early on after neat work from Forbes. Savea is causing all sorts here coming beautifully from depth and ricocheting off defenders to add to his growing tally. Tokula now is in thanks to a casual push and shove from Tomasi Cama. 36-0 to the Kiwis. Esteves runs a cracking line and outlasts Cama to give Portugal something to shout about. Before Kiwi Baker finishes them off.

Result New Zealand 43 – Portugal 7

17:05
Pool D - Argentina v Canada

Error strewn game this one as neither side can keep the ball. Meechan, though, muscles in for the Canadians nicely but it’s soon all square from now. As Nunez Lasalle whose making his debut today and is just too quick. All to play for in this Pool following the Pumas' draw earlier. Take a breather boys.

These IRB boys have been practising their ‘twists 'n turns’ down the local discotheques as Sean White is the latest to cause opposition defences problems with that move. 12-5 Canada. Gomez Cora maybe getting on a bit but he proves why he really is Numero Uno cutting inside and just having too much for Keys. 12-12. Clever stuff from the Pumas, realising they have numbers blind and Olivari feints and gives themselves the lead. Olivari turns provider now nudging a kick through which Gomez Cora collects.

Result: Argentina 24 Canada 12

16:44
Pool C – Kenya v USA

Injera is quite the footballer, dabbing a chip through and it’s collected by the stocky and elusive Ashiyoa to send the 2000 Kenyan fans into ecstasy. School Boy from US as they miss touch from a penalty and Ashiyoa runs a cut with Kayange to double their advantage to 14-0.

Palefau gets caught on his own line and when the US don’t release it’s an easy tap and go that eventually puts in Injera to make it surely too big a mountain for Al Caravelli’s team. Nice line from Victor Simiyu there to extend the Africans lead quickly followed by a route one approach that Komongnan can’t deal with as the little American is trod all over.

Result: Kenya 33 USA 0

16:28
Stumpy Update: Stumpy and the boys have befriended a group of Cows and Sheep from Wales, they are off to have a massage with the O2 girls. He’s keen to go and meet up with the Kenyan fans too that he met in Dubai and join their traditional dance later! Supergirl outfit is for 8-10 year old girls = Wedgie. Kenya/USA are on...

16:22
Pool C - Fiji v Scotland

Patient build up from the Scots, desperately trying to find some space for Evans. Gregor goes early for a penalty and hits a pin point pass to the Forrest who is always a busy work-horse. 5 -0. Evans you plonker! He did all the hard-work in chipping through but knocks on at the seminal moment, could that be telling? Brave Scottish ‘D’ sees them home in this half.

Moët from Tuwai. He dummys, twirls then throws an outrageous behind flick to put in his captain Vucaga. 7-5 to Fiji. Anything Tuwai can do Turnball can do just as well as he slips on his dancing shoes and with a no look pass to Laidlaw, the Scots have the lead again. This is stirling work from Scotland shutting any potential avenues down for the Islanders...and they do enough, first shock of the day.

Result: Fiji 5 Scotland 12

16:00
The Pool of Death (C) returns and it’s another tough assignment for Scott Gemmell’s Scots against those Fijians with Burotu going well. These two met in Adelaide a few weeks ago with the Islanders running riot 33-7. Real shame that Thom Evans brother Max (another star of the 6 Nations this year) couldn’t join the IRB party with the Scots – knee ligaments ruling him out. The Fijians beat Scotland in Adelaide 33-7, but the Scots do know how it feels to overcome the islanders, having beaten them in Murrayfield last year.

15:59
Pool A - Australia v Wales

Great start from the World Champs with Beach hitting Ifan Evans who takes Stannard apart on the outside. 7-0 to the Welsh. Stannard is having a mare here, he’s now done by a prop Craig Hill – he doesn’t move like one though, a cracking step and acceleration there and it’s 14-0. Textbook Aussie-baiting from the Twickers crowd but it doesn’t stop Fainifo stepping out of a challenge and putting in McCutcheon in. 14-5 to Wales at the half.

Zzzzz from Wales from the off as 1st half Aussie villain Stannard goes blind and isn’t tracked down. 14-10. ‘That was your man’ barks Craig Hill but it doesn’t matter as Foley snakes through a hole to give the Oz the lead. Debatable forward pass from Will Brock but the ref plays on allowing Foley to double his personal tally and it’s going all wrong for the Welsh 21-14. Or is it? Tal Selley cuts in off his wing and is too powerful - 24-21 to Oz. Fair play to Australia they have been awesome this half, another break from Stannard is enough to eventually find Fainifo.

Result: Australia 31 Wales 21

15:43
It’s Mexican wave time here and loudest cheers of the day as Kenya run past their fans warming up for their next game, It’s like I’m in Nairobi! ‘Kenya Corner’ the place to be at Twickers this weekend the atmosphere is bubbling nicely as the 4th of 5th pints are saturating nicely – remember kids, drink responsibly.

Eyed up this fixture at beginning of day as potential corker - it’s the Aussies/Welsh. Two similar sides in style who, when they hit the right notes, match anyone around. Despite the Welsh having the more obviously impressive accolades to their name this season (they won the World Cup – but you knew that right?) it’s the Aussies who dominate the head-to-head record, including last season’s Bowl here. Only one of these two can join SA in the Cup tomorrow...

15:40
Pool A - Germany v South Africa.

Ebersohn (who also captains the Boks Under 20s) is dummying and over, elusively quick. As is Kyle Brown who also deceives an already tired-looking German defense. Simply 7s...The Boks suck in German defenders and then they just overflow them out wide. Benjamin coasts in twice courtesy of this. Not too long later it’s the often underrated Zangqa whose goosestep proves enough. So many threats from Paul Treu’s slick looking outfit. 35-0 at Oranges.

Power-sapping hand off from the replacement Minnaar who again pulls in men like a magnet and Dazel is in soon followed by Zangqa who's no slouch. The Germans won’t face anything like this kind of pace on their European escapades. Zangqa pulls his man wide with a vacuum opening up from Minnaar who gets himself on the score sheet. Zangqa (hat-trick) and Gio Aplon finishes the job with ease...

Result: South Africa 70 Germany 0

15:18
Next round of matches now and the Boks must be licking their lips at some big points against the Germans. Points difference is often key. This second round of matches are often when the big boys start clicking into action, having shed the ring rust of their opening fixture.

15:18
Random England Rugby Fact: Twickenham was the scene of the first ever streaker at a major sporting event, when Michael O’Brien ran across the pitch in 1974.

Kenya contingent really filling up to my right...they really do possess the best fans in the IRB, many wearing T-Shirts with ‘Yes We Can’ emblazoned on them.

15:05                                                                                                                                                Pool B - Samoa v Georgia

Mai neat switch with Pesamino and the latter is in. The same combination run the identical same move a minute later. 14-0. Quick tap and it’s Mai whose now in simply possessing too much in his tank for Shkinin. Morgan Salesa powers through to make it 28-0 at the break. This could get ugly.

Paper-thin tackling from Georgia allows Kirisimasi Lesa in and soon after it’s Pesamino whose weaving and swerving his way to the line, to make 40-0. Sloppy work from the line-out gives a gift-wrapped present to Levi Asifa'amatala. Samoans saving plenty of their tank and rarely shifting through the gears.

Result: Samoa 47 Georgia 0

15:01
England’s bogey team Samoa, who they face in the Day 1 finale later today, are on now against an always physically but inexperienced Georgian side. Georgia have lost out in the Shield Semis in their only campaigns thus far this season. A journo to the left of me has just muttered something about looking out for Georgi Shkinin. OK I will. Personally a big admirer of the Samoans – they are brutishly large men – with Ulae Mai pulling the triggers. Lolo Lui slots his droppys from everywhere too.

14:53
Might have been a big Friday night in London yesterday as the crowd are still trickling in nicely in dribs and drabs here. Talking of party poppers...

Stumpy Update: He has already introduced himself to the UR7s promo girls here at Twickers. Think he’s dubbed it ‘laying the slabs’ down...Apart from his groundwork he’s says there are far too many Cavemen/Welsh people supporting France. He’s pulled out my unwashed University fancy-dress back-up Super Girl outfit from my closet - enjoy old boy.

14:45
Pool B - England v France

England opting for two out and out scrum-halfs to start with in Young and Barrett and it’s the former whose jinking in and out, hitting Cracknell popping to Barrett, 5-0 Angleterre. Uncharacteristic missed Phillips tackle gives the French Combezou a try and the lead 7-5. Back roars the hosts with livewire Young conducting nicely, Cracknell is hauled down (as are his shorts) but he pops beautifully for Phillips to reclaim the lead for England. 10-7 at drinks.

England love continually going blind, sucking loads of defenders in and it works again as runs from Young an Rodwell give the necessary room for Cracknell to ghost in - he’s everywhere. 15-7 England. Uche Oduoza is on and not only is he a tank he’s got some vavavoom too, sprinting up the line, getting tap tackled but finding Mr Leading IRB points man himself B.Gollings to close this one. French get the last word thanks to Paul Albaladejo. 20-14 England.

Result: England 20 France 14

14:23
Right, the hosts are up and what a roar from the crowd who have lethargically made their way from the West Car Park to support Ben ‘Banjo’ Ryan’s boyz, who are in the Runners Up position in the series.

Ryan was quick to put the pressure on the Boks earlier this week – ‘South Africa have pretty much a full strength side and they should do the business and take a first World Series, it’s theirs to lose’. Tough fixture early doors though against the unpredictable France (most overused cliché in rugby? Probably, could have been worse and gone and mentioned ‘le crunch’ or some codswallop).

14:22
Pool D - New Zealand v Canada

Great feet and ball carrying from Solomon King who tackled but uses his momentum to give the Blacks an early lead. Nice work from Savea there showing a good turn of pace before floating to Lote Raikabula. DJ Forbes extends the lead with a neat ‘show n go’ to close out a comfortable half for the Kiwis. 21-0 @ Oranges.

Like the look of Tim Nanai-Williams, he’s a busy, gliding sort of player and he effortlessly shierks his defender to go over within a minute of the restart. Good powerful fend from Grant and its laid back for Savea whose quick feet are good enough and it’s 35-0. Savea is having a big game here darting in and out before releasing Save Tokula for another. Comprehensive.

Result: New Zealand 40 Canada 0

14:03
It was always going to be a tough ask for NZ to repeat last year's glorious form. Gordon Tietjens' side went 47 matches unbeaten and captured the first five Cup trophies of the season. They are winless this season and injuries haven’t helped. At least they have Solomon King and Tomasi Cama back...big players. Canadians performed admirably in Dubai and HK but are missing key operators such as Phil Mack, Adam Kleeberger and the coolest name in the IRB Series - DTH van der Merwe. Shame that.

New Zealand v Canada

Random England Rugby Fact: The metal baths in the England team’s dressing room have been there since 1931.

14:02
Pool D - Portugal v Argentina

Nice start from Portugal and a quick game of hot potato from de Cunha and Mateus is enough for Foro. Gomez Cora calms things down with an equaliser to steady the Pumas nerves. But what’s that the touch-judge seems to put his flag up then puts it down and Foro gasses away to give the Portuguese the lead again. 14-7 to Portugal... shock coming our way?

Better from the Pumas as Moyano gives them a great start, finding a big Portuguese hole before Gomez Cora extends their lead going up the short side and it’s 21-14 all of a sudden. Nunez Lasalle is binned and Antonio de Aguilar uses the extra man with aplomb to tie it up at 21-21. And that’s how it finishes...Pool D is open! Great last couple of games!

Result: Argentina 21 Portugal 21

13:45
Right, who would have thought the Pumas would have ended up higher in the table than the Kiwis at this point of the season? Err not me, nor many others I hasten to add and those two meet later on today. Highest try scorer of all time Santiago Gomez Cora is back for Argentina, with coach Duncan Forrester enjoying a cracking year. Portugal are no pushovers with some scalps to their name and coming off the back of their FIRA win in Poland last weekend.

13:42
Pool C - Scotland v Kenya

Scots pounce on some loose ball and Evans is off but a fantastic tackle from Nyambu stops the score. More sloppiness from Kenya on their own line though and this sees Adamson pounce on some loose ball to give Scotland an early lead. Scots are running riot here! Great feet from Thompson beats two before its little Colin Gregor finishing it with panache. 12-0 to the Scots and coach Aiyamba has his work cut out.

How often does he do that?! It’s Captain Marvel - Humphrey Kayange - who throws the Africans a lifeline to close the gap 12-5, burrowing in from close range. Game on as a startling Odour break is finished by - who else - Collins Injera, to tie things up. Kenya fans go bananas! Edgy play from both side. Who's coming out on top here? Hooter goes and good ground from Biko Adema is enough to set Kayange for another lung bursting run for the win – amazing stuff from the captain!

Result: Kenya 17 Scotland 12

13:20
Looking forward to this one as it’s Kenya and Scotland and that means flyers Collins Injera (this seasons top scorer) and 6 Nations boy Thom Evans matching up. These boys are R.A.P.I.D let me tell you. Couple of Kilted fans beer in hands, fake red wig to boot, let out a wee roar of encouragement. Kenya on paper should win this but are notoriously bad starters at these affairs.

13:18
Pool C - Fiji v USA

Massive hits from the gigantic Fijians form the off and Tuwai – as he so often does - sucks in two defenders and Burotu is in. Rabbits in the headlights stuff from US with a fluffed pass from Komongnan (PJ) allowing Naiyabo in for another soft one. Big bosh from American Bokhoven to close the half and the US are still in this...just about. Lovely stuff ‘Take That’ booms out – psyche!

Amazing feet from PJ Komongnan twisting and twirling and some patient play eventually puts in Bokhoven and we have a ball game. Argh slack defending from the States gives another soft one to Fiji with Tuwai the recipient, 19-5. Roko dummying/scissoring over to take the lead to 26-5 before Enosa rips it 70m for some American consolation.

Result: Fiji 26 USA 10

13:18
Right onto Pool C aka the ‘Pool of Death’ which sees USA, Fiji, Kenya, and the Scots. USA/Fiji first on. The bad news is that the USA have a raw squad out with 11 changes from their World Cup team and a couple of youngster that haven’t played much 7s. Ominous. But good news is speaking to Coach Caravelli earlier this week, it seems his squad is the fastest he’s ever had. Hong Kong winners Fiji have talent all over the park with the likes of Vucago, Tuwai, and Burotu.

12:56
Pool A - Australia v Germany

Aussies come charging out with Fainufo and James Stannard (aka Stanners?) both scorching through a couple of leaky German gaps. 14-0. Lovely working on the short puts in Willy Brock for another and its the other Willy, Willy Bishop whose skinning his man in central midfield for a 26-0. Steamin' Willy Bishop is just too good for his man I’m afraid, doing him like a kipper again before the half is up. 33-0.

Stannard is lively at Scrum-Half and blasts blind form a scrum before flinging a risqué pass inside to Bishop to get under the posts for the conversion, Aussies wanting big points. Great roar from the crowd as Kasten for Germany goes 70m but has no support. The pitch is just too wide for the Europeans as Sills is put into acres and is in before League convert Shaun Foley brings up the Aussie half-ton.

Result: Australia 50 Germany 0

12:41
Joining these two in Pool A is Australia and Germany. These two actually last met here at the 2006 London Sevens, with the Boys Down Under having too much in their locker for the Boys from the Fatherland, 40-12. Germany are coached by the wholly enthusiastic Rainer Kuum who will have one eye on a decent assault on the FIRA European Championships. Aussies missing try whizz kid Luke Morahan plus others in a much-changed squad.

12:34
Pool A - South Africa v Wales

Nervous start from the Boks who kick it out on the full from the off. They suck up some early pressure and Welsh adventure but a kick down field sees Stick pick up, recycle and Dazel eventually sneaks in. Sloppy from Merriman as his ‘no look’ pirouetting pass goes to no-one but...Benjamin and he is too quick. 12-0. That’s more like it from the World Champs, simply going down the line with Craig Hill blazing in form the wing. Take a breather.

Stamina sapping physicality from the breakdown here with the Welsh doing their best to hold on. Jazz shimmy from Zangqa from a short tap penalty who pops to Stick, and it’s daylight at 17-5 for the Series leaders. Great hit from the smallest man on the field Aplon, ball is turned over and Snyman eventually puts in the man that made that happen to start Aplon. 24-5 and it’s fist pumps from the SA bench. A crossfield from Zanqa gives Stick his second from the day. 29-5 ominous from the would be champs.

Result: South Africa 29 Wales 5

12:26
Right it’s the Series Leaders first up here in Pool A and by jove it’s a tasty one to kick off proceedings isn’t it, as they run into Paul John’s Wales – The World Champs! Six of that team from Dubai, including the captain Lee Beach and winning try-scorer Aled Thomas return for Coach Paul John as he looks to finish a fine season for Wales on a high. But can they live with the likes of match winner and captain Mzwandile, Aplon, Renfred Dazel, Ryno Benjamin, Vuyo Zangqa as well as Robert Ebersohn. Start us off chaps!

12:17
We have 24 games throughout today with the top two going through to the Cup Quarters tomorrow. Once again as in San Diego, Dubai, and Hong Kong, UR7s will be providing a unique Live Text Commentary on the major goings-on inside Twickers today – I’m not going anywhere, you’ll be glad to know, so keep up to date with us.

If you had followed the last few blogs I have done at these events you might remember me giving you updates from our man in the crowd – ‘Stumpy’. Yes that unfortunate creature is now my flatmate and he wouldn’t miss an IRB Sevens gig for the life of him. The party animal/fancy dress lover is back with a big gang looking to make it a day to remember.

12:12
Right the story so is that South Africa only need 13 more points to win their IRB Series title. Reaching a semi-final and a quarter-final in London and Edinburgh over the next two weekends - even if they lose those finals - will see them do it for the first time in their history. Hosts England still – just about have them in their sights though and are waiting to pounce on the smallest of errors from Paul Treu’s side.

11:55
No need for thermals for it’s Dubai-esque weather here in the Capital today. Ok perhaps maybe that’s a slight exaggeration but it’s 23 degrees of Sun Sun Sun. Perfect conditions for players, fans, and reporters alike - that would be if I was actually in the sun, nay chances of me picking a tan/standard red nose today in the cool shade, can’t complain though, another epic view for me.

11:41
Hoorah, the IRB World Sevens Series is back! How are we all?! We are in Laaaandon (that’s London in cockney slang) at Twickenham - for the penultimate leg of this season. The world’s most electrifying Rugby Sevens operators are back together here at England’s 82,000 rugby HQ - The London Sevens....