Scotland 33 USA 12
next up Wales


Sun dappled the east stand in the closing ties and Scotland and New Zealand were the only teams to emerge unbeaten at the end of a fantastic and gloriously unpredictable first day at the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s.
Some 11,000 spectators thronged to Murrayfield, the home of Scottish Rugby, for 336 minutes of awesome running rugby producing a thumping 151 tries.  The day’s events conjured up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash tomorrow with Scotland facing their ancient rivals England.  Tickets are on sale tomorrow from 9am at the Murrayfield Ticket Centre
The form of the hosts was something of a revelation today.  It’s been a difficult season on the IRB circuit for Stephen Gemmell’s Scotland 7 but, back on home soil in the final tournament, and strengthened by players with considerable experience in the abbreviated game – experience that palpably helped them win pro-contracts in the first instance – Scotland crushed Wellington winners Fiji, fought back to see off Adelaide finalists USA and beat World Cup 7s winners Wales with aplomb.
There was some phenomenal skill on show throughout the day – epitomised by Phil Mack, Canada’s play-maker and inspiration in their 26-19 triumph against England.  For some reason, that result was popular among the Murrayfield faithful who seemed to have switched allegiance from Portugal (England’s opponents in their first tie). 
It was another illustration of the depth of international 7s these days however, that even after that result, Canada ended up in fourth place in their pool.
If there was a player of the day award then it surely went to Scotland’s diminutive speedster Andrew Turnbull, albeit his team-mate, the hard-running John Houston, would have run him close.  
Six years since 28-year-old Turnbull made his debut for Scotland 7s, he was still dazzling with some bewildering footwork.  Yet it was a try-saving tackle against America that set Scotland on their way. Two second-half tries from Turnbull, the second when it seemed there was no way through, had the crowd rocking.
Fans, whether dressed as Friesians, Barrack Obama, bananas, Mexicans, Danger Mouse or models battling out for the Miss Scotland crown – had a fun-packed day.  One “field intruder” – a young lady in a denim jacket was leading two of the stewards a mazy dance until she was downed by New Zealand’s Sherwin Stowers.   She never saw that tackle coming!
From the moment Kenya’s Leon Adongo set the whole spectacle underway with the first try of the day, this was a celebration of the gift that Ned Haig gave to the sporting world.
There were upset results – France eclipsing Argentina, Canada’s win against England and, arguably THE score of the day, Argentina’s clinical 31-10 dismantling of world-series leaders Samoa.
Tomorrow’s knockout stages line-up
Bowl quarter-finals
10.05am France v Italy
10.27am Wales v Canada
10.49am Portugal v USA
11.11am Russia v Kenya
Cup quarter-finals
11.33am Samoa v South Africa
11.55am Scotland v England
12.17pm Australia v Fiji
12.39pm New Zealand v

This article was originally posted on 29-May-2010, 14:35 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 29-May-2010, 20:13.