England edge Kenya in Wellington thriller to strike Sevens gold

– England beat Kenya to win Hertz Sevens in Wellington
– New Zealand stretch lead in HSBC Sevens World Series
– Australia win Plate; Canada win Bowl; Wales win Shield
– Rights-free photos and audio available for download

England’s Sevens side put in their best performance of the season to beat off the superb challenge of Kenya, strike in sudden death extra time and win the Hertz Sevens, round four of the HSBC Sevens World Series in New Zealand’s capital Wellington.

At the business end of a fascinating tournament, Kenya shocked hosts New Zealand to win through to only their second ever IRB Sevens Cup final and also led England 19-12 with seconds remaining, but captain Tom Powell’s converted try drew England level and 20-year old Sam Edgerley pounced in sudden death extra time to seal victory.

Earlier, England had seen off Scotland in the Cup quarter finals and the tournament’s form side Samoa to reach the final, and they also beat New Zealand in their opening pool match on day one.

In reaching the final, Kenya have risen to second in the HSBC Sevens World Series standings, 21 points behind leaders New Zealand. England’s maximum haul from Wellington takes them up to eighth.

FULL ROUND-UP & REACTION >> CLICK HERE
HSBC SEVENS WORLD SERIES STANDINGS >> CLICK HERE

“It is just fantastic, I am overwhelmed to be honest,” said match-winner, Sam Edgerley. “It is my first tournament win for England, and I am the proudest man in the world.

“We had a really good build up to this, we didn’t have the best start to the season, so we made a promise to ourselves, we made a promise to get out of it and we did.”

At the end of the Hertz Sevens in Wellington, rights-free action and trophy-lift photos are available, as well as audio with: Ben Ryan, Rob Vickerman and Sam Edgerley (ENG), Stephen Betham (SAM), Paul Treu (RSA), Mike Friday (KEN), Oscar Ouma (KEN), Sean Duke (CAN), DJ Forbes (NZL)