WALES' bid for the Rugby World Cup Sevens was ended by a powerful USA in San Francisco.

Gareth Williams' side earned a shot at the hosts, who are ranked sixth in the world, thanks to a fine 33-12 win against Zimbabwe.

But the Eagles, playing in front of a bumper crowd at the home of Major League baseball side San Francisco Giants, proved too strong against a Wales side that endured a tough season in the World Rugby Sevens Series.

The USA led 14-0 at the break thanks to a try by Martin Iosefo and superstar Perry Baker on the stroke of the whistle.

Wales started a breathless second half strongly but the killer blow was applied by speedster Baker, who finished a counter from the US' own 22.

Wales were out on their feet and fourth and fifth scores came from Danny Barrett and Carlin Isles earned a 35-0 triumph, leaving Williams' side to face a clash with Samao in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals at 11.10pm tonight.

The Cup has a new knockout format from the off and Wales started impressively against Zimbabwe after an early scare.

The Cheetahs strick first when Tafadzwa Chitokwindo raced through after dummying at a ruck and then beating last man Luke Treharne with the extras making it 7-0.

The Africans swiftly followed up with a second after a neat grubber through and super finish by Shayne Makombe.

Wales needed to respond and did so through wing Jared Rosser, fresh from a breakthrough season with the Dragons, after a stutter-step down the left.

Pontypool's Ethan Davies banged over the touchline conversion and did the same after a Luke Morgan score, following a thumping Rosser tackle, to earn a 14-12 lead at the break.

Ospreys-bound Morgan, Wales' record sevens scorer, got the crucial first score of the second half after recovering from a stumble for 21-12 after Treharne's routine conversion.

Wales had found their groove and the killer blow came when flanker Ben Roach, who played for the Dragons last season, had too much power to dot down under the sticks.

The fifth score came through full cap Cory Allen as Wales eased down ahead of their clash with the Eagles.