The USA Men’s National 7s team rebounded from a disappointing Day One to win the consolation bracket at the Dubai 7s Saturday.

The Eagles started their Dubai 7s account on Friday with a 14-5 loss to Scotland. That was a crucial result as the Eagles had a relatively easy 29-7 win over Uganda after that. At 1-1 they faced an excellent South Africa team, and almost beat them. But while a Perry Baker try and Madison Hughes conversion put the Eagles within two at 19-17, there wasn’t enough time. 

That put the Eagles at 1-2 and into the lower-level knockout rounds. In the old days, this would be what you’d call the Bowl Round. But we don’t call it that anymore. Now this is the Challenge Trophy Round.

The top two teams from each pool played in the Cup Quarterfinals and then either for the Cup, Silver, or Bronze, or for placements 4th through 8th. (No more Plate either). The bottom two from each pool played for the Challenge Cup (9th).

So on Saturday, the Eagles hit Russia hard in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals, winning 40-0, and then held off a Kenya comeback to win 21-19 in the semi.

That set up a final with Samoa. In this game the Eagles started to put things together. Tries from Andrew Durutalo, Baker, and Matai Leuta staked the USA team to a 21-7 halftime lead. Then Stephen Tomasin put the game away late in the second half. The USA won 28-14.

So a consolation - eight points in the standings and the Challenge Trophy, and perhaps a sign that this team isn’t that far off.