Scotland booked a place in the Cup quarter-finals with a six-try victory over the USA to top Pool C at the Emirates Airline London Sevens at Twickenham this afternoon.
Having recovered from a demoralising loss to Kenya in the first tie of the day, the Scots went onto defeat Fiji, who are currently sitting third in the IRB Sevens World Series standings. Their latest victory over USA guarantees them a place in the Cup quarter-finals where they will play Portugal at 1:12pm tomorrow.
Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: “That was an outstanding effort by all twelve players out there.
“The day started with disappointment and maybe in the past that second half against Kenya may have destroyed our game but there are some experienced players in this squad, some real winners, and they just refused to suffer that set-back.

“To come back and beat Fiji and then to follow that up with an outstanding performance against USA was outstanding.

“It’s not easy to score 40 points in 14 minutes but they did it and what an effort it was to defend their line. They knew 38 points would guarantee us a place in the Cup quarter-finals and it was an incredible effort to defend the way they did.”

“Great effort and we look forward to whoever we play tomorrow."

Pool C, Game 3 - USA 0, Scotland 40
In their final game of the first day, a hat-trick of tries and an air-tight defence ensured Scotland a healthy half-time advantage.

Edinburgh back-row Ally Hogg was the engine room for such an important win, and was first to find the score-sheet.

A cross-field kick to Hogg saw the ball shifted right where Andrew Turnbull soaked in the defence. The ball was then returned left through the hands of John Houston, Roddy Grant, Greig Laidlaw and eventually to Hogg who dotted down.

Only a minute later, captain Scott Forrest was almost shoved into touch. But a neat back-handed pass kept the ball alive. Grant went into contact, and from the break down, the ball was spun right to Turnbull who jinked inside to score. Colin Gregor converted.

Moments before the break, Houston took the ball into contact straight from the restart. He offloaded from the deck to Forrest who charged between the posts. Gregor converted.

Half-time score: USA 0, Scotland 19

Having set up the last try of the first half, Houston claimed the first try of the second.

Hogg continued to disrupt the Americans at the breakdown and turned-over possession and popped the ball to Greig Laidlaw who released Houston for the score. Gregor converted.

Gregor, Scotland’s highest ever points scorer in IRB events, was next to find the whitewash as Hogg once again worked hard to retrieve possession. Despite adequate support out wide, Gregor had the power to force his way between the posts.

Having admitted after the game that he had visions of Hogg bursting clear to score a spectacular solo try as just reward for his relentless work ethic, Gemmell almost witnessed his reverie in front of him as Hogg charged through the USA defence.

The 48-times capped international didn’t quite have the pace to reach the line, but with Gregor and Turnbull in support, Hogg passed to his Edinburgh team-mate who finished the attack over the line. Gregor
converted.

London Sevens Cup quarter finals set
(IRB.COM) Saturday 23 May 2009
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With two events to play home side England are 28 points behind leaders South Africa in the World Series standings
IRB Sevens World Series leaders South Africa went unbeaten with New Zealand and hosts England on day one of the Emirates Airline London Sevens, which produced twists and turns throughout.
At the end of the first day's play at Twickenham three of the four pools were decided by points difference with Scotland, France and Portugal progressing to the Cup quarter finals but Kenya, Argentina and Samoa all missing out.
Cup quarter finals
South Africa v France
New Zealand v Fiji
Scotland v Portugal
England v Australia
Scotland upset Fiji 12-7 and then overcame the USA to book their place in a first Cup quarter final this season, while Portugal and France both needed to wait for the result of nail-biting final matches with their destiny out of their hands.
South Africa remain poised to add the IRB Sevens World Series trophy to their silverware cabinet for the very first time.

This article was originally posted on 23-May-2009, 21:36 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 23-May-2009, 21:44.