Havelock North make it a dozen

"Havelock North rule again!"
This was the triumphant yell down the cellphone line upon checking out the business end of the Hawke's Bay Sevens tournament in Waipukurau on Saturday night.
Defending champions Havelock North won the Ian Baker Memorial Cup for the 12th time with a 39-12 win against Linton Army in the A grade final.
"It was perfect Sevens," said Havelock manager Conrad Waitoa as he reflected on his side's six tries to two victory.
In his second year playing in the premier men's team at the event Havelock pivot Ihaia West won the men's player-of-the-tournament award which his captain Adam Bradey won last year. Waitoa said West was outstanding with his option taking and directional play.
Former Cook Islands Commonwealth Games representative Rangi Vallance, Bradey and Jacob Kennedy all displayed the benefits of their vast experience as Havelock ran in 30 tries and conceded just four on the day. The Armstrong brothers Levi and Junior, like West, were among the prominent younger players in the Havelock North side and proved their domination of the event is likely to continue.
In pool play Havelock North beat Waipawa 58-0 and Dannevirke Sports 46-0. In their quarterfinal Havelock North beat Manawatu Fijians 28-5 and in their semifinal Tawa 24-12.
"Winning the Greytown Sevens and retaining the Hawke's Bay Sevens title in consecutive weeks has completed a memorable summer of Sevens. Now the focus is 15s," said Waitoa.
Last year's runners-up Lomaiviti New Zealand Barbarians were a late withdrawal from the event. Along with Havelock North and Linton Army, Tawa, Feilding Old Boys Oroua, Manawatu Fijians, Napier Old Boys Marist and host club Central were the other post section qualifiers in the A grade.
Former New Zealand Sevens representative Tafai Ioasa, who was home on holiday from Japan, turned out for Hastings Rugby and Sports A who lost 19-14 to Taradale A in the B grade final.
Defending women's champions Clive were a late withdrawal because of work commitments and one of their regular players Kate Bradshaw, who played for Hastings Rugby and Sport, took home the women's player-of-the-tournament prize.
Her team lost 15-5 to Eketahuna in the clash which decided the women's title winners.
Havelock North's colts side couldn't complete a Greytown-Hawke's Bay double as they lost 10-0 to Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports in their final. Ardung Marlu of Feilding Old Boys Oroua was the colts player-of-the-tournament.