By HQ
October 1 2017
England Sevens finished fourth at the DHL Oktoberfest 7s after losing to South Africa in the bronze final match in Munich.
England Squad
Jordan Ainslie (Bath University), George Chatterton, Will Edwards (c), Lailand Gordon, Fergus Guiry, Ben Howard (Worcester Warriors), Charlie Kingham (Loughborough University), Ryan Olowofela, Callum Sirker, Charlie Spawforth, Mason Tonks (Gloucester), Ethan Waddleton.
Simon Amor's side finished third in Pool B after the first day of games following a 26-14 win over Uganda, a 12-10 victory over Argentina and a 14-21 loss to hosts Germany. However, on day two England beat Germany 26-12 in the Cup quarter final to set up a last four tie against Australia, but lost 32-7 to the eventual winners in the semi-final. In the penultimate game of the tournament in Germany, England lost to South Africa in the bronze final as they were beaten 7-42 in the Olympic Stadium.
The 12-man academy squad was a mixture of full-time senior and academy England Sevens players, as well as players from Aviva Premiership academies and selected universities."This tournament was about giving this young side the opportunity to play against some top-level teams, to be challenged and to be tested through different styles of opposition, and the way they they did that from the first game right through to the last was absolutely excellent," said head coach Amor.
"To lose Ben Howard and Callum Sirker, who were playing excellently, and also Jordan Ainslie, at the start of the tournament really stretched the squad thinly, but we're so pleased with the way they kept on fighting under some testing conditions which shows real strength in character.
"The most important thing that the squad will take away from this tournament is the effort that is required consistently to be successful at this top level, and additionally I think they'll understand that with more hard work they are not that far away from being top players themselves."
England’s fixtures
Friday 29 September
England 26-14 Uganda
England 14-21 Germany
England 12-10 Argentina
Saturday 30 September
Cup quarter-final - England 26-12 Germany
Cup semi-final - England 7-32 Australia
Cup bronze final - England 7-42 South Africa
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