As 2023 draws to an end, we wrapped up the last of our club rugby competitions for the calendar year. The Club Sevens concluded on Saturday afternoon following a full days action at Memorial Park, Cambridge. 

23 teams lined up at the start of the day with the quest of taking home the last of the club rugby silverware for 2023 and come 4pm Saturday afternoon it was Hamilton Old Boys (Premier Mens), Leamington (Division 1 Men) and Melville (Premier Women's) collecting the spoils. 

Coming out of Pool B alongside cross town rivals Hamilton Marist, Hamilton Old Boys started the day strong with three wins out of four in pool play, to join Hamilton Marist atop of Pool B - Hamilton Marist advanced as the top seeded side based on number of tries scored. Hamilton Old Boys sole lose came to Te Awamutu Sports who only picked up the one win all day. 

In Pool A it was the days home side Hautapu advancing just behind Fraser Tech to lock in their spot inside the mens Premiership competition.  Both Fraser Tech & Hamilton had a three win, one loss record, with Fraser Tech advancing as the number one seeded side based off their one point win over Hautapu earlier in the day. 

In the Premiership play-offs Hamilon Old Boys took on Fraser Tech while Hautapu played Hamilton Marist. Unfortnately for Hamilton Marist and Fraser Tech that is where there day ended both settling to share the spoils and take home a join third place. Meanwhile, Hamilton Old Boys put on a clinical display of sevens rugby in the final winning 29-17 over the well supported home side Hautapu. 

Across in the womens competition Melville, Hamilton Old Boys Huskies & Otorohanga went through pool play unbeaten and were joined by Hamilton Marist in the Womens Premiership Play-offs. Defending Champions Hamilton Old Boys Huskies brushed aside Hamilton Marist to advance to the final, while Melville and Otorohanga did battle with Melville coming out victors. 

In what was the tightest final in recent years, with scores locked up 12-12 late into the second half, Melville capatilised on a missed tackle and cantered through to score under the sticks. Winning 19-12 with less than a minute on the clock, the Huskies locked dangerous winning possesion from the kick off, but Melville were able to hold on and take home their first title after several attempts vs the Huskies. 

A notable mention must go newcomers to the Women's club sevens competition - Morrinsville Sports, arguably one of the best supported teams on the day. Entering their first club sevens event making it into the Championship Final after an upset win over Kihikihi earlier in the afternoon in the Championship semi-finals. 

The Division One title was once again, for the fifth straight season, taken home across the bridge by Leamington. Going unbeaten throughout their three pool matches and then backing that up in the semi-final rematch vs Suburbs and again vs Te Rapa capped off a pretty impressive day for the Cambridge locals. WIth that - they only side to remain unbeaten on the day. 

Other notable mentions go to University Premier Mens & Women's teams who took home the Championship titles in their respective compeitions with a 31-12 win over Otorohanga (Mens) and 15-12  over Morrinsville Sports (Womens). 

With all that rugby action on the field, a great time was had by the kids in our bouncy castles and kids zone. Bit of corn hold fun with some Mooloo colouring in keeping the kids occupied while the keen rugby supporters could keep their eyes on the footy. 

Article added: Monday 06 November 2023