Clubs from Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Manawatu win Central club sevens tournament

Above: Wellington’s Petone won the Colts competition at Saturday’s Hawke’s Bay Sevens tournament for the third straight year.

Forty teams played in hot conditions at Central Park in Saturday’s 33rd annual Hawke’s Bay Sevens tournament, with Napier Pirates (Men’s), Petone (Colts) and Feilding Old Boys Oroua (Women’s) winning the three competitions.

Three players of the tournament were chosen. In each of the 70 games played, the match referee picked one player of the match. At the finish of the day the three players selected were (all three from beaten finalists):

• Men’s: Tiaan Falcon (Havelock North)
• Women’s: Selica Winiata (Kia Toa)
• Colts: Brayden Lose: Palmerston North Boys' High School

Men's competition 

Following section play in the Men’s A Grade the qualifiers were Havelock North, M.A.C and Napier O.B. Marist, Marist St Pat’s, Napier Pirates, Pacific Warriors and Hastings Rugby and Sports.

The Men’s competition was dominated by Napier Pirate “A” who amassed 177 points in five matches. Only four tries were scored against them, two by Marist St Pat’s in the quarter final and two by Pacific Warriors in the semi-final, winning 22-12.

Their performance in the final was outstanding playing last year’s winners and 14-time champions, Havelock North, Pirate “A” completely dominated the “Villagers”, winning the Ian Baker Memorial Cup for the very first time. The score 40 – 0.

The Men’s B Grade went to Brother’s 7’s a Napier based team, winning 21-7 over host Club Central. Napier Pirate “B” completed a good day for their club winning the C Grade 33-5 over Manawatu club Freyberg O.B.

Women's competition 

The Women’s draw was very competitive with the six qualifiers being Feilding O.B. Oroua, Napier Pirate, M.A.C., Kia Toa, Avalon and Hastings R & S.  Visiting teams Gisborne Pirates and Marist St Pat’s missed the cut, showing the strength of the competition.

Recently Manawatu’s women’s side won the New Zealand Provincial Sevens at Rotorua. Their dominance showed through at Central Park, in the semi-finals of the Women’s competition.

Feilding O.B. Oroua beat Napier Pirates 17-0 and Kia Toa beat Hastings R & S 24- 5. The final to decide the Women’s winner was very close and exciting. Three tries each were scored and Hayley Hutana kicked two vital conversions for Feilding O.B. Oroua to beat Kia Toa 19-17 and retain the “Jiangsu Jersey.”

Colts competition 

The Colts grade showed immense talent, with four High School teams excelling, Palmerston North Boys’ High School, (2 teams) Lindisfarne and Manakura. The A Grade qualifiers were current holders of the Angus Cup Petone, Tamatea, Napier O.B. Marist, M.A.C., and Palmerston Nth B.H.S. “A”.

In the semi-finals Petone beat Napier O.B. Marist 31-7 and P.N.B.H.S.”A” beat M.A.C. 21 – 12. The Petone team came to the tournament with the intention of maintaining their grip on the trophy. Their preparation had been thorough and they were ready.

The Palmerston North BHS side was worthy competition and two players emerged as ones to watch in the future, Brayden Lose, a big bustling forward and Stewart Cruden, very much in the build of his brother Aaron Cruden (known to many).

The size and pace of the Petone boys was the difference and they achieved their goal winning the Angus Cup for the third successive year. Petone defeated Palmerston North BHS 27-12 in the Colts final.

The Colts B grade final went to Lindisfarne College, beating Clive 26-17. In the C grade, Palmerston North B.H.S. “B” beat Napier O.B. Marist “B” 14-12.