POVERTY Bay teams missed out on qualifying for the national tournament at the Central Region Sevens in Levin over the weekend.
The PB men lost their three pool matches and a playoff for fifth. The PB women had a win and three losses.
The men were soundly beaten in poolplay — going down 42-0 to Taranaki, 41-5 to Manawatu and 35-5 to Hawke’s Bay. They were then beaten 29-7 by Taranaki in the playoff for fifth and sixth, the win sealing Taranaki a place at the nationals in Rotorua next month.
Hawke’s Bay, featuring former Gisborne Boys’ High first 15 squad member Penikolo Latu, beat Manawatu 26-17 in the final.
The PB women started with a 12-10 win over Wairarapa Bush but were then beaten 47-0 by Manawatu, 28-19 by Taranaki and 52-0 by Wellington.
