Wales had never beaten England in three previous attempts in Hong Kong and with the red rose brigade currently in fifth position in the overall rankings compared to Wales’ 11th, Tom Mitchell’s side began the Pool D encounter as firm favourites.
Wales took the game to England immediately and with two scrum halves in the backline – debutant Rhodri Williams and Tomos Williams, Jevon Groves’ side spread the ball with fluidity and speed to set up an early converted try for the former.
Moments later, Dan Bibby darted down the middle for a returning converted try to level the scores before Mitchell spotted Wales didn’t have a sweeper. He kicked through and collected the bouncing ball to score under the posts.
Luke Morgan kept Wales in the game with a brilliant individual try. He fended off opposite number Dan Norton, regarded as the quickest player on the circuit, and galloped down the touchline with dazzling speed to score in the corner.
A great half ended with Phil Burgess plundering over in the corner to give England a 19-12 lead at the break.
James Rodwell made Wales pay dearly when they coughed up possession to race away and score to put clear daylight between the two sides however Wales refused to throw in the towel and scored a breakaway try through Morgan after good lead-up work by Dan Fish.
Wales will face USA and Kenya tomorrow in the remaining pool games as the race for a quarter-final berth heats up after USA edged out Kenya 21-14 in the other pool fixture played today.
Wales Sevens head coach Gareth Williams believes his squad will have to maintain focus throughout their next two pool games, otherwise a quarter-final spot may prove beyond them.
“I was happy with some aspects of the display,” he said. “We need to increase how clinical we are in certain aspects to ensure we keep pressure on sides rather than allowing them back in the the game.
“I was happy with the boys intensity but we need to be more intelligent with and without the ball at all times, rather than now and again.”
