Led by a superb effort from their captain Todd Clever, and with brave performances from Nick Wallace and John Quill, the USA defeated Romania 27-17 Saturday in Bucharest.

The Eagles got an early try from Takudzwa Ngwenya and try late in the first half from Tim Stanfill - created by Clever. But the Eagles could not get much ball as they misfired repeatedly on lineouts and restarts, and were under huge pressure in the scrum.

However, they never trailed as Romania's penalty kicking was not on target and the Eagles managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Adam Siddall hit a penalty in the first half and Mike Petri slotted a drop goal to keep his side up. But it was a late try by Folau Niua that sealed it.

Siddall kicked three conversions from the touchline in the game.

This was the first time that the game between the USA and Romania had a special trophy - the Pershing Cup. The trophy is named after General John Pershing, who led the US Expeditionary Force during World War I. It was under the patronage of Pershing that the first USA v Romania rugby game was ever played, in Paris in 1919 in the Inter-Allied Games. That year Pershing was named General of the Armies of the United States - only he and George Washington (who received the promotion posthumously) have ever earned that rank.

More to come.

USA 27
Tries: Ngwenya, T. Stanfill, Niua
Convs: Siddall 3
Pens: Siddall
DGs: Petri

Romania 17