Off the mark: England's Dan Norton bagged a hat-trick of tries against the USA
Fiji, Samoa, England, South Africa and New Zealand have all got off to winning starts in the opening leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai.
South Africa are setting out to defend their Dubai title today, and also laid the foundations for their first defence of the IRB Sevens World Series crown.
With the Olympic decision in October having given Sevens Rugby an extra prominence around the world, millions of eyes around the world are watching the action at 'The Sevens' stadium.
Quarter-final draws for Saturday
09:20 Wales v Scotland 1/4 final Bowl
09:42 Portugal v United States 1/4 final Bowl
10:04 Russia v France 1/4 final Bowl
10:26 Zimbabwe v Arabian Gulf 1/4 final Bowl
10:48 South Africa v Fiji 1/4 final Cup
11:10 New Zealand v Kenya 1/4 final Cup
11:32 England v Argentina 1/4 final Cup
11:54 Samoa v Australia 1/4 final Cup
Pool A
(Arabian Gulf, Australia, South Africa, Wales)
IRB Sevens World Cup winners Wales were beaten 28-14 by the world series champions South Africa despite a brave fightback inspired by winger Alex Cuthbert.
The Springboks raced into a 21-0 lead before Cuthbert beat two men on a scorching outside break to relieve nearly seven minutes of unbroken pressure with a dazzling solo try.
Cuthbert then sent Lloyd Williams over for Wales' second try but Welsh hopes of snatching a draw were dashed by a late individual score from South Africa's Mzwandile Stick.
Australia beat hosts Arabian Gulf 47-7 in a match that became more one-sided the longer it lasted. Newcomer to Dubai Brackin Karauria-Henry scored a hat-trick for an Australian side that could set the Boks some posers in the last match on Day One.
The young Welsh side proved how competitive they stand to become this season by seeing off Arabian Gulf with ease in their final match, 50-0.
South Africa then dominated Australia 29-0 in a one-sided contest that sees them top the Pool, with Australia also making it through to the Cup quarter-finals.
South Africa 28 Wales 14
Australia 47 Arabian Gulf 7
South Africa 36 Arabian Gulf 7
Australia 14 Wales 7
Wales 50 Arabian Gulf 0
South Africa 29 Australia 0
Pool B
(Fiji, Samoa, Scotland, Zimbabwe)
Fiji were impressive in running in seven tries to two against Scotland in their 47-12 Pool B win, with William Ryder at his exhilarating best and Emosi Vucago dotting down four times in the first of the tournament.
Particularly impressive were Fiji's retention on their own restarts and their ability to play into space. They will be a factor come play-off time, despite the rather poor performance by the Scots.
Zimbabwe let themselves down with poor passing at crucial stages in going down to a solid-looking and, as is their wont, aggressive Samoa side that ran out 40-5 winners. Not as fluent as the Fijians but more direct in their running, the winners were nevertheless impressive enough to promise possible Cup success.
Zimbabwe and Scotland drew a fine match 17-17 before Fiji and Samoa followed suit with a 12-12 scoreline that sees them both go through to the Cup competition.
Fiji 47-12 Scotland
Samoa 40-5 Zimbabwe
Fiji 31 Zimbabwe 14
Samoa 36 Scotland 7
Scotland 17 - 17 Zimbabwe
Fiji 12 Samoa 12
Pool C
(England, Russia, United States, Kenya)
Dan Norton was off to a flyer for England with a first half hat-trick that set his country up for a 40-12 win over the United States.
The 21-year-old was too hot for the American defence to handle and his three tries inside five first-half minutes, two of which came from searing midfield breaks, set England on course for a comfortable win.
The United States hit back immediately after the restart but England were never in trouble with captain Kevin Barrett, veteran Ben Gollings and Bristol winger Matt Turner all scoring.
Russia had little possession in their match against the slow-starting Kenyans who grew in quality as the match went on. Russia were a little uncertain when they did have ball in hand, but their commitment ion defence could see them surprise the lesser sides come the play-offs. The score was 26-5 to a Kenya side that must still show their best.
With Sevens now an Olympic sport, in coming years match-ups between USA and Russia could well decide Cup titles but today the two faced off for third place in the pool, Russia just getting the better of the Americans 14-12, Igor Galinovskiy scoring the winner for the European champions.
England then put in a strong performance to beat Pool rivals Kenya 27-12 that will see them take on Argentina in the last eight of the competition.
England 40 United States 12
Kenya 26 Russia 5
England 28 Russia 0
Kenya 31 United States 26
United States 12 Russia 14
England 27 Kenya 10
Pool D:
(Argentina, France, New Zealand, Portugal)
New Zealand, despite their coach Gordon Tietjens' complaints that they've not had enough pre-tournament warm-ups, looked a class act and took it wide on every occasion, complemented by some hard, straight running against a Portugal side that were out of their depth.
France remain an enigma. So much talent, so little focus was again the story where they squandered a 5-all score to trail 22-5 before the last move of the match against Argentina, when they scored a consolation try to lose 22-12.
In a tough match Argentina improved as the match went on with France seemingly a little rattled after the break.
In the all-European match-up Portugal got the better of France, Frederico Oliveira scoring twice to earn them a better draw in Saturday's Bowl quarter-finals.
Soon after, New Zealand put Argentina away to set up a clash with Kenya on Saturday.
New Zealand 34 Portugal 0
Argentina 22 France 12
New Zealand 33 France 10
Argentina 40 Portugal 7
Portugal 24 France 14
New Zealand 38 Argentina 10
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