Ata Malifa inspired the USA to a 32-25 win over Russia at Sixways to take the Bowl Final of the Churchill Cup.
In a dire first-half, which finished 8-8, both teams bounced back in the second-half to entertain the crowd in a performance which will give Eddie O'Sullivan some encouragement after his side shipped over 80 points against the England Saxons and over 40 against Tonga. The performance was by no means vintage from either side as both sides made a series of unenforced errors. Experienced centre Paul Emerick opened the scoring for the USA after 23 minutes before Vladimir Ostroushko struck back for Russia.
Russia took the initiative in the early part of the second-half through second-row Alexander Voytov, before Andrew Suniula struck back for the USA. USA captain Todd Clever powered over to put his side ahead before soon to be Saints winger Vasily Artemyev sidestepped his way to the try-line and clawed the game back to 25-25. With the game nicely poised, replacement winger Taivalu Enosa stole the headlines running in under the posts with a late try to give his side a well-deserved win.