England's women enjoyed the perfect preparation for their first ever Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign in Dubai in March, beating the home team USA in a tight final at PETCO Park to take the San Diego title.
Simon Amor's side recorded three impressive pool wins and a semi final victory on Friday at the San Diego Polo Club, before taking centre stage in front of the USA Sevens crowd for the final.
The English women stormed into the lead but were pegged back in the second half and at 12-12 the match went into sudden death extra time.
With the first extra half nearing a close Heather Fisher sprinted clear to secure a prized victory, 17-12.
VIDEO: Sue Day, England captain - USA Sevens winners
VIDEO: Simon Amor, England coach - USA winners
VIDEO: Ines Rodrigues, USA captain - runners-up
Fisher was also impressive in helping to see off Japan, USA B and the USA's best side in the pools and Canada in the semis on day one at the San Diego Polo Club, although England's star was without question Katherine Merchant, who touched down in each of their matches and was a constant menace.
Thrilling climax
"We left it very late and it must have been pretty exciting for the spectators, but my heart was certainly in my mouth there at the end," said Sue Day, captain of the side that is now being billed as favourites for the World Cup in Dubai.
"I quite like that we've been given that tag. It's on the basis of a few wins at different tournaments but we haven't really played New Zealand, we haven't played Australia at all, so who knows quite how good they'll be.
"It's just a number, we've got to beat the teams that are put in front of us at the World Cup and that's what we're going to have to go and do."
Amor: "Phenomenal"
"We're delighted to be here and to have four very tough games is perfect preparation for the World Cup," added coach Simon Amor.
"The sacrifice they've made not just in the past few weeks but over the last 12 months has been phenomenal and it really does come good when last minute tries like that win you tournaments, which they've done on three occasions now, so they're working hard and getting the results they deserve."
For the USA also the match and the tournament was an ideal opportunity to prepare for Dubai.
"England are in our pool in the World Cup and we're just excited to play them there," said Ines Rodrigues, USA captain.
"For us it's a journey, we've been in camp for two weeks so we've had the opportunity to show what we can do here, but the end for us in Dubai."
