GLENDALE, Colo.—For a moment, the U.S. rugby team had all it could ask for against England—the lead.
The Eagles scored a surprising try to take an early lead over the Saxons during pool play at the Churchill Cup on Sunday. But England responded and never let up, crushing a tired U.S. team 56-17 for its 13th straight win.
The defending Churchill Cup champs displayed crisp ball movement and had the Eagles on their heels after the opening 10 minutes. A few extra days of rest for the Saxons and four U.S. turnovers helped out as well.
England racked up eight tries and held the Eagles scoreless for nearly 47 minutes.
The Saxons play for the Churchill Cup championship next Sunday in Commerce City.
England winger Noah Cato tore through gaps between U.S. defenders numerous times. At one point late in the second half, he slipped in for a try past the Eagles’ Paul Emerick, who didn’t even try to stop him after Cato dodged a tackle from Alipate Tuilevuka along the sideline moments before.
Cato scored a pair of tries in the second half and helped set up several others with his quick footwork.
“A lot of it is based on instincts,” he said. “I try not to plan ahead and take what the defense gives me.”
The Eagles were plagued with several injuries and lost the boot of top kicker Gavin Debartolo, who left the team for personal reasons earlier in the day. Fatigue left the U.S. squad scrambling on defense trying to keep up with the crisp ball movement displayed by the Saxons.
