By Chris G
March 30 2003

The England 7's team, including Northampton Saints Johnny Howard has defeated New Zealand 22-17 to win this years Hong Kong Sevens. It is the English sides second successive win at the Sevens premier tournament. After a cruise through their pool games beating Tonga, Chinese Taipei and Singapore scoring almost 50 points a game with Ugo Monye get try after try. Johhny picking up a try and a yellow card along the way the English were drawn against Australia in the quarter finals.

Simon Amor, Jamie Noon and Monye scored the tries in a Henry Paul inspired 19-14 against the Aussies to set up a semi against Fiji who have appeared in nine consecutive finals at Hong Kong.

It wasn't going to be though as another impressive display by Paul steered England to a four try 24-19 victory over the Fijians with Paul, Tony Roques, Phil Greening and Rob Thirlby going over to put the English one game away from their second successive Hong Kong title with New Zealand standing in their way.

In a hard fought contest the English edged the New Zealanders 22-17 with tries through Paul, Monye and a brace for sub Richard Haughton to secure the trophy for the second year.

In the plate final Scotland were edged by Canada while the USA won the plate.