But that elusive place in a Cup final yet again evaded Wales, as Gareth Baber’s side lost to England in the penultimate round.  Â
The weekend’s performances, however, marked a significant advance for Wales in Sevens rugby. “This is the first time we’ve ever won our group” said Coach Baber, who called for more time preparing his side.
“We need more access to players before we play in the first leg of next season’s series. That might mean some form of Sevens contract. For young players there is no better environment in which to develop than Sevens. But I’m happy that we’ve made progress in the last two weeks,” added Baber.
Wales went into the Cup quarter-final game as winners of their group but the confidence that had propelled them to three victories on day one over Spain, Canada and London Sevens winners Samoa, momentarily disappeared, allowing France to run in a try from Florent Gibouin.
But Gareth Baber’s men quickly recovered and after a crunching tackle from skipper Jon Edwards Wales won possession to set up a move that ended with Aled Brew strolling over for a well-worked try to leave the teams locked at 5-5 going into the break.
However, Wales were rocked at the beginning of the second half with a quick attack from France that produced a try in the corner for Emmanuel Rodrigues. But from a skilful steal, and quick hands from Lee Williams, Richie Pugh dived in under the posts, Williams’s conversion giving Wales a two point lead.
Then when substitute James Merriman romped in from 30 metres and Williams converted, Wales had done enough – their 19-10 win booking the Welsh Sevens a place in the semi-final of the Cup against England.
But in the semi, Wales’s weekend in Edinburgh came to a juddering halt due in no small way to a piece of indiscipline by skipper Johnathan Edwards. The Scarlets’ flanker lashed out at provocation from England centre Jack Adams with what appeared to be a head butt, earning Edwards two minutes in the sin-bin.
It proved expensive as six against seven gave England’s outside half Ben Gollings the chance to score under the posts, his conversion giving the English side their only points of the game.
“The yellow card was crucial in terms of the energy levels of the other six. It was unfortunate but there is always an edge to England v Wales matches. We had opportunites towards the end of the game but full credit to England. There was very little between the two teams,” said Baber.
Wales Sevens squad: Johnathan Edwards (Captain, Scarlets), Richie Pugh (Cardiff), Dafydd Hewitt (Blues), Andy Powell (Blues), James Merriman (Neath), Lee Williams (Llanelli), Rhodri McAtee (Cornish Pirates), Aled Thomas (Dragons), Nick MacLeod (Blues), Will Harries (Northampton Saints), James Lewis (Dragons), Aled Brew (Ospreys), Tal Selley (Dragons)
