Champagne Rugby Sevens
Champagne Rugby Sevens
March 03, 2010
Section: Sport
DAVID HALL
dhall@kiamaindependent.com.au
When it comes to events like the Kiama Rugby Sevens, the bar has been set so high over the past 37 tournaments that it seemed impossible to top the success of the past.
But the Kiama Rugby Club, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, can rightly claim the 38th annual Sevens on Saturday as the best-yet. The perfect weather – with clear skies, warm conditions and cooling breeze, spectacular display by the RAAF Roulettes, delivery of the Sevens Trophy by helicopter and an amazing day’s running rugby, made it a day to remember.
For the record, West Harbour came away with their second successive Sevens’ crown, downing the Glenn Ella coached Easts in a thrilling final 21-20, scoring the winning try in the dying seconds.
Earlier they had held on against a fast-finishing Aussie Spirit 28-26, with the Spirit coached by former dual international Michael O’Connor and boasting some outstanding up-and-coming Australian rugby talent. They led from the start but found themselves having to score twice in the final two minutes to win, and despite getting the tries, failed to convert the final one.
The two visiting Tongan sides, the Crusaders and Spartans certainly made their presence felt before both bowed out in the quarter-finals.
Randwick, despite remaining unbeaten all day after drawing their opening game, finished with the cash by taking out the Plate competition after a 24-0 win over Old Ignatians, while Engadine made it a three-peat of Country Cup wins with a 28-7 win over Merewether-Carlton.
