Sevens expert Gollings was England's star man once more

Defending champions England suffered a heavy semi-final defeat at the hands of South Africa at the Dubai Sevens.

England lost 19-0 against a strong South African side who went on to beat New Zealand 31-12 in the final.

The England team, with seven debutants, struggled against their experienced opponents with Simon Amor sin-binned for dissent in the second half.

Wales won the Shield competition with Cardiff's Tom James scoring a hat-trick in a 33-0 win over the Arabian Gulf.

England head coach Mike Friday accepted his team had been outplayed as they conceded three tries to a far more experienced outfit.

It bemuses me how officials can clamp down on dissent harder than on dangerous play Mike Friday England coach

But he was angry after Welsh referee James Jones failed to take any action against South Africa's Danwel Demas for what appeared to be a high tackle on Harlequins winger David Strettle.

Friday insisted the tackle deserved a straight red card - and his frustration was then compounded with Amor's departure for dissent.

"It was late, high and intentional and there were punches thrown afterwards," said Friday.

"At that stage it was just 7-0 and it was a key moment in the game because they could have been down to six or even five men because of the punching.

"Simon will be disappointed with his sin-binning but it bemuses me how officials can clamp down on dissent harder than on dangerous play."