England Swamps United States

(Twickenham, England) 21 August 1999 -- Possession, team speed, and finishing swept the Eagles off their feet today as England raced to a 106-8 victory over the United States in an international friendly at Twickenham.

Center Jeremy Guscott scored four tries to pace the balanced England attack, which ran in long-range scores right down to the final whistle. Fullback Matt Perry and flanker Neil Back added two each as nine players scored.

For the US, prop George Sucher scored his first international try, but after taking the lead early on the visitors fell out of contention after the first quarter.

"I feel like we were hit with a lethal cocktail: one part world-class team, one part perfect form, and one part something to prove," said US coach Jack Clark.

"After 25 minutes we never really had a chance. [After the match,] I told the boys to accept none of the emotion of the loss and to focus on three individual things each player can do better. As American rugby players, we learn to be resilient, and I can assure you that we'll learn from the loss and be back to work tomorrow."

In the first half, a four-try outburst in the span of 15 minutes dampened a promising Eagle start. US scrumhalf Kevin Dalzell opened the scoring with a medium-range penalty goal at 5 minutes.

But in winning about 70 percent of possession and outflanking the US defense, England brought its faster backline into play and scored regularly and in bunches. The hosts tallied three tries in fifteen-minute burst in the first half, and ran riot in the last quarter as the Eagle defense struggled with exhaustion. The US departs tomorrow for Wales, where it will continue its World Cup training camp. Injuries will be a worry, as both wing Vaea Anitoni and flanker Dan Hodges left tonight's contest.

Final: England 106 United States 8 (halftime England 31-8)

United States: Tries: George Sucher
Pens: Kevin Dalzell

England: Tries: Richard Hill, Matt Perry (2), Neil Back (2), Matt Dawson, Dan Luger, Matt Perry, Jeremy Guscott (4) Martin Johnson, Phil Greening, penalty (2)
Cons: Jon Wilkinson (13)

Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)United States: Kurt Shuman; Vaea Anitoni (Chris Morrow), Juan Grobler, Tom Takau, Alatini Saulala; David Niu (Mark Williams), Kevin Dalzell; George Sucher, Tom Billups (Kirk Khasigian), Ray Lehner (Marc L'Huillier*), Luke Gross, Alec Parker, Dave Hodges (Rob Lumkong), Fifita Mounga (Shaun Paga), Dan Lyle (captain).
* new cap

© USA National Rugby Team
Scott Compton
USA National Rugby Team
2802 10th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
Ph. 510-647-1100
Fx. 510-647-1108