Plate quarters await Ireland

Former Ballymena team mates Andy Maxwell and Ian Humphreys inspired Ireland to a place in tomorrow's Rugby World Cup Sevens Plate quarter-finals in Hong Kong.

The duo - with captain Humphreys now a Belfast Harlequin - scored seven of Ireland's eight tries in this morning's two Pool A victories over Korea (24-17) and Tonga (24-7).

The latter success - with Ryan Constable's side coming back from an early Tevita Tu'ifua try - saw the Irish overhaul the South-Sea Islanders for the Plate berth.

Humphreys scored a crucial try after the hooker in the victory over Korea and Ireland's talismanic skipper is now one of the tournament's top scorers on 41 points.

Clontarf wide man David Hewitt touched down with Maxwell in a first half which ended with the sides locked at 12-apiece.

RUGBY WORLD CUP SEVENS: Saturday results: Hong Kong Stadium, Happy Valley, Hong Kong

03.26am: Pool A – Ireland 24 Korea 17

(Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Andy Maxwell 2, David Hewitt, Humphreys; Cons: Humphreys 2)

09.47am: Pool A – Tonga 7 Ireland 24

(Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Andy Maxwell 2, Ian Humphreys 2; Cons: Humphreys 2)

Sunday: Knock-out matches: (all times Irish (Hong Kong GMT +8 hours))

02.30am: Bowl Quarter final: Korea v Italy

02.52am: Bowl Quarter final: Kenya v Hong Kong

03.14am: Bowl Quarter final: Canada v Uruguay

03.36am: Bowl Quarter final: Chinese Taipei v Tonga

03.58am: Plate Quarter final: USA v Georgia

04.20am: Plate Quarter final: Tunisia v Portugal

04.42am: Plate Quarter final: Japan v Russia

05.04am: Plate Quarter final: Samoa v Ireland

06.05am: Melrose Cup Quarter final: New Zealand v France

06.27am: Melrose Cup Quarter final: South Africa v Australia

06.49am: Melrose Cup Quarter final: Fiji v Argentina

07.11am: Melrose Cup Quarter final: England v Scotland