English Premiership Sevens: What Happened in Round Two?
The second round of the English Premierships Sevens was over the weekend and the Sale Sharks and New Castle Falcons came out on top. The Sharks and the Falcons now move on to the finals with the Harlequins and the Saracens on August 6th.
Premiership Sevens
This is the first season that the English Premiership is holding a sevens tournament through the summer so that teams are able to get a look at their young talent and gauge their veteran signings made during the offseason.
The 12 teams have been broken up into three groups and play over the three weekends in July. After each round, the top two teams move on to play in the finals in the tournament finale during the first weekend in August.
Recap
Sale Sharks 33 Leeds Carnegie 7
In the opening game of the tournament, the Sharks came out like gang-busters as they set the pace for what was an exciting afternoon.
The Sharks opened the scoring as Josh Fowles scored two tries in quick succession. Leeds notched their only try of the game in the first half to cut the lead to seven, but the Sharks wasted no time opening their lead back up as David Tait crossed the line before half.
The return from half proved to be more of the same, as the Sharks ended the day on an Ed Stobart try to make it an even five on the day.
Newcastle Falcons 19 Leicester Tigers 7
In the second match of the day, the Falcons began their strong outing by powering past the Tigers.
Charlie Amesbury scored twice in the first half, the second coming late to give the Falcons the lead heading into the break.
After the half, the Falcons played strong on defence, which paid off as Steve Parsons put the game out of reach late.
Newcastle Falcons 19 Sale Sharks 12
In the third meeting of the day, the Falcons were able to hold on to their perfect record by defeating the Sharks.
In the first half, the speed of the Falcons' Tyson Lewis proved to be too much for the Sharks, as he notched a try and set up Fred Burdon, helping them take the lead into half.
Parsons crossed the line early after the break, making a late try by the Sharks' Tom Taylor too little too late.
Leeds Carnegie 33 Leicester Tigers 26
In the fourth match of the day, Leeds was able to notch their first victory of the afternoon over the lowly Tigers.
A late try in the first half from the Tigers' Stephen Macaulay tied the game as the two teams went into the break.
The two sides exchanged tries to start the second half, and it took a late score from Matt Almond to break the dead lock and give Leeds the victory.
Sale Sharks 33 Leicester Tigers 10
The Tigers did not get much of a break as they were forced back onto the pitch in the fifth match of the day.
Sale exploited the Tigers fatigue by scoring four tries to start the half, two coming from Will Cliff to make the lead 28-0.
Leicester looked to be getting back in it, as they were rewarded with tries from Macaulay and Rory Lynn. However, a late try from Fowles put the game out of reach for the home team.
Newcastle Falcons 15 Leeds Carnegie 12
In the final match of the day, the Falcons were able to squeak by Leeds to book their spot in the final.
New Castle opened strong, scoring two tries early, one coming from Burdon who continued his strong day. However, after a Denton try, Leeds was able to draw within three at the break.
In the second half, Leeds took the lead as Curtis Wilson scored. However, the Falcons came storming back with a Jack Harrison try and the victory.
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