All-Stars take first title

MATCHWINNER: Ngamatapouri's Manawatu import Timoci Serawalu about to break away and set up the winning try to Trinity Spooner-Neera, running inside him.

THE Ngamatapouri all-stars sevens team brought their club its first championship since their resurrection this year after an unbeaten run through the Settlers Honey Wanganui Club Sevens in Marton on Saturday.

Fielding the former NZ Sevens representative Trinity Spooner-Neera and his three Steelform Wanganui team-mates in captain Malakai Volou, Michael Nabuliwaqe and Samu Kubunavanua, Ngamatapouri lived up to their heavy favourites tag, with only a determined Taihape pushing them in both pool play and the grand final, where the result was not decided until the final seconds, 28-15.

The victory made a selection puzzle for Wanganui Sevens coach Tom Wells, who approached the team and club sponsor Henry Matthews afterwards to get an idea of which players would be available or qualify for his representative squad, perhaps so he could request dispensation from the NZRFU for those who don't have residency.

After the wet weather at the inaugural 2014 tournament, Wells was delighted the warm and dry conditions allowed a good standard of running rugby throughout the day.

"Taihape have played these guys twice and both games were bloody awesome.

"Trinity shows his class - up a level."

Volou said his team loved this format, while acknowledging Taihape's effort, coming runnerup for the second year in a row.

He agreed it was good for the former Utiku Old Boys contingent to bring a title to their new club.

"We're going to carry on next year."

Early in the day it was the well-balanced Border team who were looking like potential finalists, beating Pirates 26-7.

The style of play in the opening Pool B games was a real contrast as both Pirates and Border looked to use the width of the field while trying to force turnovers with cover tackles, compared to across the way as a late Marist try sealed a 19-19 draw with Kaierau after a match with a lot more scrums and surges around the breakdown.

Border scored right at the start of both halves to beat Pirates 26-7, with Poasa Waqanibau and Ranato Tikoilosomone looking good with ball in hand.

Ratana got Ngamatapouri first up, and despite a high penalty count and the sinbinning of Timoci Serawalu, the favourites signalled early intentions with a 34-5 win.

Not just having speed, Ngamatapouri also executed well as they could grab loose ball and push towards the posts for tries with easy conversions, while on defence they forced their opposition to attack out wide - which proved crucial in the final.

Border comfortably wrapped up Pool B with Pirates winning a couple of close games to make the semifinals, while Ngamatapouri and Taihape were a step above Ratana and Marton in Pool A.

The slight surprise came in the semifinals as Taihape, helmed by their premier coach Kerry Whale and fielding veterans like Tremaine Gilbert, Jaye Flaws and the Whale brothers Ben and Dane, tipped over Border 31-7.

In the final, with 10-minute halves, both teams showed signs of fatigue, as Taihape struggled to crack the defence but Ngamatapouri gave away several infringements and dropped a couple of key passes.

Serawalu grabbed a lineout throw and dashed away untouched for 7-0, then Taihape seemed to have a chip kick covered yet coughed it up for Kubunavanua to feed Nabuliwaqe who headed to the posts for 14-0.

Taihape were still in the fight as the Whales combined to put Gilbert over in the corner for 14-5 on halftime.

Ngamatapouri showed they could counter-attack from anywhere because while they spilled one breakout from their 22m, Nabuliwaqe made no mistake the second time, picking up a loose Taihape ball and sprinting 80m for 21-5.

But the pace was slowing and Taihape kept trying, throwing the ball from side to side, and finally Gilbert hit the gap up the middle of the field and from the breakdown they went wide for Ben Whale to cross for 21-10.

Spooner-Neera beat several tacklers but the ball came free and Dane Whale dug his heels in just held off the chasing Volou, rolling over in the cover tackle, yet with a sore leg he missed this closer conversion attempt for 21-15 inside the final minute.

Taihape made a quick kickoff, but Serawalu claimed the catch and got outside his chasers, feeding Spooner-Neera who powered away for the match-winner, for 28-15 the final score.