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The young team got by Portugal 5-0 in the Bowl quarters, but was then drilled 33-12 by Wales in the semis.
Leonard Peters got the only score in Saturday’s first game against the Portuguese as the USA bounced back from Friday’s disappointments and managed to hold on for the win in a tense struggle.
In the day’s second outing, the Welsh were all over the US and took a 21-7 lead into halftime. Mile Pulu got the Americans’ sole touchdown in the half with Ata Malifa converting.
The second period was again dominated by Wales, which outscored the US by two tries to one.
Volney Rouse pegged one back for the United States late in the piece, but by then the horse had well and truly bolted.
The USA finished the opening leg of the IRB Sevens World Series with a 1-4 record.
New Zealand beat Samoa 24-12 in the Cup final to clinch the first leg of the 2009/10 Series.
From Dubai, the Series moves to George, South Africa, for the second leg next weekend.
