Argentina beat England 19-14 to win the USA Sevens in San Diego and claim only their second ever IRB Sevens World Series title.

The Pumas' only previous title also came in California, in Los Angeles in 2004, and this most recent victory blasts wide open the race for the 2008/09 World Series.

England and South Africa are now joint-top with 60 points, eight clear of New Zealand on 52, while Argentina lie fourth with 48 ahead of Fiji, Kenya and the USA, who take 12 points from their home event.

In the Cup final Tom Biggs and Ben Gollings both scored first half tries for England either side of Argentina captain Santiago Gomez Cora.

Trailing 14-5 at the break, the Pumas quickly asserted pressure on the Englishmen after the restart and scored tries through Martin Rodrigues and Lucas Amorosino, before their famous defence then kicked in to hold England at bay for five minutes.

To reach the final the Pumas built an early 12-0 lead against USA but Nese Malifa and Chris Wyles each scored converted tries to edge the hosts clear, before Santiago Gomez Cora grubbed through and punced on the loose ball to score the winner.

In the other semi final South Africa were fastest out of the blocks, Gio Aplon and Mpho Mbiyozo crossing for a 12-0 lead before tries by Gollings and Philips brought England back on terms. Tom Biggs scored after the break and Philips notched a second, before Paul Delport's late try brought the Boks back to within three points. England held on, though, to reach a second successive final.

Source: USASevens.com