Walder could not stop England slipping to defeat

Gear struck with four minutes left in overtime after the sides were locked 19-19 after 80 minutes in Vancouver.

England captain Hugh Vyvyan said: "We are very disappointed - it's very hard to lose in extra-time.

"We were outstanding in the first half and played some great rugby. Maybe we took our foot off the gas in the second half but it was a great game of rugby."

England led 19-5 at half-time thanks to a try from Jamie Noon, converted by Dave Walder, who also kicked four penalties.

Noon's try capped a superb move involving the outstanding Dan Scarbrough, with Henry Paul delivering a one-handed pass for Mark Cueto to send Noon over.

This tournament gives the players a higher level of competition England coach Jim Mallinder

But England lost injured lock Alex Brown at half-time and the dazed Andy Hazell soon after the break

The Maori hit back with two tries in as many minutes through Caleb Ralph and Glen Jackson, who intercepted Paul's pass to race away and touch down for an easy conversion.

That levelled the scores at 19-19, before Dave Walder missed a 72nd-minute penalty that might have clinched victory.

Jackson also missed a 30m penalty in the first period of extra time before Gear's try won it for the Maori.

England XV coach Jim Mallinder said: "We are naturally disappointed because our aim was to win the Churchill Cup.

"But we will take the positives out of it. We said that we had to front up and improve 20 to 25% and I think defensively, and with our attacking play in the first half, we did that.

"There are a lot of good players around and what this tournament gives them is a higher level of competition."