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Rugby round-up: Sam Edgerley finds that bit extra

 

Mark Burton
Sunday 03 February 2013 01:00 GMT
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Sam Edgerley scored the match-winning try
Sam Edgerley scored the match-winning try (AFP/Getty Images)

England produced a stunning comeback to beat a remarkable Kenyan side 24-19 in sudden-death extra-time in Wellington to secure their first tournament victory of this season's HSBC Sevens World Series.

England, who beat Scotland 31‑7 in the quarter-finals and Samoa 21‑19 in the semis, trailed 19-12 as the final whistle approached but their captain, Tom Powell, scored a try, which was converted, and then Sam Edgerley added the match-winning touchdown.

The turnaround brought to an end a phenomenal run by Kenya, who have been transformed under the guidance of Mike Friday, the former England sevens coach. They stunned the home crowd by beating New Zealand to reach their second final.

Powell could hardly have enjoyed the day more. "That was incredible," he said. "The atmosphere is incredible, the Kenyan team are incredible. The physical limits were pushed beyond today."

Hosts New Zealand finished third with a 17-7 victory over Samoa to extend their lead at the top of the series standings to 21 points over Kenya, who climbed up to second. England are eighth with 37 points after four rounds.

Scotland were beaten 22-7 in the Plate final and Wales saw off Tonga 26-21 to claim the Shield.

In the women's Six Nations' Championship, Sarah Hunter led by example as England overran Scotland 76-0 in Esher, scoring two of her side's 12 tries.

In the LV= Cup, Bath enjoyed a rare success over their West County rivals Gloucester, winning 32-5, their first success at Kingsholm since 2006. Four second-half tries, from Nick Abendanon, Matt Gilbert, Semesa Rokoduguni and Stephen Donald, wiped away the memory of the first half, when they dominated, playing against 14 men for 20 minutes, but allowed Huia Edmonds to touch down and cancel out a try from Olly Woodburn.

Danny Cipriani returned to Wasps to score one of Sale Sharks' five tries as they advanced to the semi-finals with a 33-30 victory.

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