NZ Wasps sting at Central Coast sevens tournament

GREAT FINISH: Kendle Martin scores a spectacular try for NZ Wasps' under-17 winning team. PHOTO/Head Hunter Photography

History was created at the finals of the Central Coast International Rugby Sevens last weekend, with back-to-back victories for Australia's men's and women's teams.

And while the Australians are rightly celebrating a unique double, the NZ Wasps club based in Bay of Plenty had a double of their own to savour with two women's teams performing above expectations.

The under-17 team went through the tournament unbeaten to take out the Cup while the Open women's team won the Plate in an extremely competitive division with the Rio Olympic gold medal Australians split into two teams.

NZ Wasps head of rugby, David May, says it is the last time the women will play under the NZ Wasps brand.

"After three consecutive seasons attending the Central Coast Sevens, the NZ Wasps women's teams played their final event.

"Unfortunately the Wasps organisation won't be supporting a women's team in future, focusing all their efforts on the male side of game with JAB and national sevens focus.

"We will return next year under a new banner and hope the people who have been with us for last years in Oz will support the new direction in a yet to be determined venture.

"It was an awesome way to bow out of such a prestigious event with the under-17s winning the Cup final and the senior women's team winning the Plate after an eight-minute golden point overtime win versus Avoca, where at one point the wasps had two players in the sin bin.

"Many thanks must go out to coaches Victoria Grant and Fred Cox, plus the tireless work of Richard Wilson who managed both teams over the weekend, plus the amazing whanau support in Wyong area.

"A great way to leave the Wasps banner with pride and amazing memories. Over the last three years the Wasps have had seven players go on to play for NZ. This latest group will also provide a few more in the future."

Richard Wilson says from start to finish the under-17s played great sevens.

"They defended well all day and maintained their intensity for all four games and the whole team contributed all they had from 1-12.

"Kororia Heyblom was top try scorer with five and got Central Coast Sevens MVP but it must have been chosen on last game as was not our top choice.

"We believe Tynealle Fitzgerald and Leah Wilson were our standouts. Tynealle as captain was relentless in defence, turning ball over and blowing over mauls all tournament for Leah to steal easy ball and exploit around ruck area and blind side.

"They backed each other up all day resulting in some spectacular tries."

Scores
NZ Wasps Under-17
Pool: Wasps 27 South East Magic 10, Wasps 25 National Indigenous 5, Wasps 29 Illawarra Sports 0.
Final: Wasps 53 Liverpool Cougars 7

NZ Wasps Senior women
Pool: Wasps 10 Avoca 15, Wasps 46 Dua Ga 0, Wasps 5 Aussie Pearls Gold 24
Quarter-final: Wasps 12 Japan 19
Plate semifinal: Wasps 19 Ozboks 7
Plate final: Wasps 15 Avoca 10