First Caps and First Tries For Navy Pair in Dubai
Both Josh Drauniniu and Greg Barden score on their England debut. Damu (Army) was also on the score sheet to add to the Service input. Press report from RFU.com England 31 - 7 Portugal England Sevens debutant Josh Drauniniu (Exeter Chiefs/Royal Navy) led the try charge at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens this afternoon. Tries followed from fellow debutant Greg Barden (Bristol Rugby/Royal Navy), Isoa Damudamu (Army), Chris Cracknell (Exeter Chiefs) and Uche Oduoza (Suntory, Japan). A first half try was the only consolation for Portugal. England dominated from the start with Drauninu’s try coming from a quick pass by scrum half Kevin Barrett (Exeter Chiefs) in the first 30 seconds of the match, which, he potted right under the posts for Ollie Phillips (Newcastle Falcons) to convert. The next came in the third minute from an England throw in by Barrett, it reached the hands of Damudamu who again, went over under the posts for Phillips to convert. Two minutes later Damudamu looked as though he was going in for his second but was caught by the Portuguese defence, he managed to hand the ball to Cracknell who charged for the line and Phillips converted to take the scores to 21-0. Portugal came back at the restart with a nifty chip and chase for Vasco Uva to go over just on the half time buzzer taking the scores at the break to 21-7. Oduoza came back to add to England’s try tally with a score in the first 50 seconds, this time, in the left corner after receiving a great pass from centre Rob Vickerman (Leeds Carnegie), Phillips failed to convert. After some confident defending from England, a last minute try came from another Vickerman pass to Phillips who threw it out wide to Barden. Phillips failed to convert taking the final score to 31-7. England play USA at 5.00pm local time, GMT 1pm. England: Isoa Damudamu (Army), Rob Vickerman (Leeds Carnegie), Uche Oduoza (Suntory, Japan), Ollie Phillips (Captain, Newcastle Falcons), Josua Drauniniu (Exeter Chiefs/Royal Navy), Kevin Barrett (Exeter Chiefs), Chris Cracknell (Exeter Chiefs). Replacements: Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie), Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons), Greg Barden (Bristol Rugby/Royal Navy). England scorers: Tries: Drauninui, Damudamu, Cracknell, Uche, Barden. Conversions: Phillips (3) Photograph: Damu (Army) congratulates Cracknell on his try photo by Getty Images