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England win 19-17 in final of second round of World Rugby Sevens Series
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The win was their first Cup since Tokyo 2015
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Mitchell, the England captain, said: “It’s been a hell of a tough tournament.”
Tom Mitchell’s England pulled off a 19-17 victory over South Africa to clinch the Cape Town Sevens title on Sunday.
Despite Werner Kok scoring in the last seconds with England down to six men, a missed conversion from Justin Geduld ensured Simon Amor’s side won their first Cup since Tokyo 2015.
England captain Tom Mitchell said: “It been a hell of a tough tournament but I am so proud of the boys. We trained all summer and this makes it all worth it. We were a bit disappointed last weekend and we wanted to put it right. It was a pleasure to play in this stadium.”
In an enthralling final, Chris Dry showed incredible pace to beat Mitchell to the try line with the first try of the match before Richard de Carpentier hit back immediately to give England a 7-5 lead. Dan Norton added another to his weekend tally after an impressive pass from Dan Bibby to make the scores 12-5 at half-time, with South Africa losing Branco du Preez to injury.
Du Preez’s replacement, Rosko Specman, scored another wonder try early in second-half, chipping over the England defence and dotting down under the posts to draw the scores level. But, soon afterwards, HSBC player of the final Ruaridh McConochie stepped inside Philip Snyman to give England another lead.
HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the best of the action from day two at the #CapeTown7s as England claim the gold! pic.twitter.com/MexwynLWIX
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 11, 2016
Norton was then sent to the sin bin with less than a minute remaining for a nervy finish, allowing South Africa and Werner Kok to score in the corner but Geduld missed the conversion to give England the famous win.
England close the gap on series leaders South Africa, finishing the first two rounds on 39, two behind South Africa but ahead of Fiji (32), Scotland and New Zelaand (both 27).