LONDON, England – The Men’s Eagles defeated Russia 28-7 Saturday, Nov. 23, at Allianz Park. The win is the team’s second consecutive following last weekend’s 25-24 victory against Georgia.
The Eagles finished their November Tour with a flourish Saturday, as Aviva Premiership stars Chris Wyles and Samu Manoa each scored in the first half.
Wyles, playing at his club’s home stadium in London, opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Adam Siddall, who kicked the match-winning penalty last weekend, converted Wyles’ try.
Less than 10 minutes later, Manoa showed off some of the skills Northampton Saints fans have come to adore with the Eagles’ second try. Siddall missed the conversion, but the Eagles had an imposing 12-0 lead.
For the third consecutive match, the Eagles went into halftime with a lead. The New Zealand Maori All Blacks were down 9-7 in Philadelphia Nov. 9 and Georgia trailed the Eagles 15-13 last weekend.
Siddall extended the lead on the other side of half time with a penalty goal in the 41st minute. Andrey Garbuzov got Russia back in the match with a converted try, but two more penalties from Siddall put an end to any comeback.
Cameron Dolan, who started at the number-eight position in each of the three November Tour matches, concluded the afternoon’s scoring with a try in the final minute, his second in three matches.
Georgia, ranked ahead of the Eagles at seventeenth this weekend, defeated 15th-ranked Canada earlier this month and eighth-ranked Samoa Saturday, giving credibility to the Eagles’ win.
Titi Lamositele earned his first starting cap Saturday at his potential future club, as Saracens have taken interest in the young prop. Lamositele could join Wyles in London as soon as next year.
The Eagles are now done for the 2013 calendar year and will hope to take the momentum gained with two consecutive wins into the Rugby World Cup Qualifier series against Uruguay next March.
Men's Eagles | v. Russia
1. Nick Wallace
2. Phil Thiel
3. Titi Lamositele
4. Tai Tuisamoa
5. Samu Manoa
6. Todd Clever (C)
7. Scott LaValla
8. Cameron Dolan
9. Robbie Shaw
10. Adam Siddall
11. Tim Maupin
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Folau Niua
14. Blaine Scully
15. Chris Wyles
Men's Eagles | Reserves
16. Zach Fenoglio
17. Olive Kilifi
18. Eric Fry
19. Graham Harriman
20. Derek Asbun
21. Shaun Davies
22. Seamus Kelly
23. Luke Hume
Men's Eagles | 28
Tries: Wyles, Manoa, Dolan
Conversions: Siddall (2)
Penalties: Siddall (3)
Russia | 7
Tries: Garbuzov
Conversions: Gaysin
