University has completed a notable double in clinching the premier men’s Cup title at the Auckland Club Sevens tournament on a wet day at Waitemata Park.

This follows just over three months after the east Auckland club won the Gallaher Shield final at Eden Park, the club’s 18th premier 15s championship.

The students did it in some style too, engineering a comeback from a 14-0 deficit against Marist in its Pool 2 opener before dispatching Ponsonby 31-7. Varsity then dismantled a hitherto unbeaten Suburbs 31-10 in the Cup semifinal. The decider, against Pakuranga, was full of drama and Varsity conceded no less than three yellow cards and a penalty try. But its staunch defence, led by Matt Megaw, and ability to strike from anywhere on the park proved a compelling and lethal combination. The final scoreline read 29-7. Fine solo tries to Sam Lawson, to mirror the one he scored in the Gallaher Shield climax, and a dynamic Cam Busby, were complemented by one to Antonio Kirikiri from a quick tap.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I joined the club this year, but it’s been a good culture and we’ve been successful. Winning the sevens was a bonus, as I missed most of the preparation they’ve had. Our coach Jason McLean is sharp on sevens, and we’re lucky to have our trainer Peter Shaw, who has done wonders for us,” says Kirikiri, who received some good news earlier in the week when he was called into the Blues as injury cover for Blake Gibson and Kara Pryor.

“We had a bit of patience on defence and attack and when we got our opportunity, we took it. We were able to hold them off with five men for a time (in the final),” he says.

In the women’s competition, College Rifles and Marist, two of the great old rivals of women’s club rugby in the province, locked horns in the final. Rifles prevailed 26-5, regaining the silverware they last won in 2015. Their opening try was scored by Black Ferns lock Charmaine Smith – galloping between the uprights – who has crossed the bridge for her 2018 club and provincial rugby.

The Under 20 men’s competition was won by East Tamaki, who defeated Ponsonby 20-12 in the final. This was again a competitive sevens grade and unearthed some sevens (and 15s) talent.

The Papatoetoe club had the distinction of fielding five teams on the day, two each in the women’s and Under 20 sections and one in the premier men.

It was pleasing to see several Mitre 10 Cup squad members on hand either in playing or spectating roles. College Rifles had the services of Sione Havili, Ponsonby used Pryor Collier, Marist showcased Hoskins Sotutu, and Grammar TEC fielded Lisati Milo-Harris, Taleni Seu, soon to join the Chiefs, and Andrew Makalio, bound for the Crusaders.

Bruno Tuivai and Jona Sawailau returned from Heartland Championship duty with Wanganui to turn out for Suburbs, while Pakuranga played 2017 NZ Barbarians Schools rep and Sacred Heart College First XV captain Lemeki Namoa. The latter broke open the semifinal with a fine try to clinch victory for Pakuranga.

Other Auckland Mitre 10 Cup players watching on included Jono Hickey, Caleb Clarke, Melani Nanai and Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald. Blacks Ferns and storm prop Aldora Itunu appeared for the Ponsonby women.

In all, it was a good day for sevens and the 34 teams, despite the inclement weather, and there will be food for thought for Auckland sevens selectors Ed Cocker (men) and Crystal Kaua (women), who will name their training squads on Monday. – Campbell Burnes

Results

Premier men:

Pool 1: Waitemata 29 Eden 14, Grammar TEC 19 Waitemata 0, Grammar TEC 21 Eden 5

Pool 2: University 19 Marist 14, University 31 Ponsonby 7, Marist 19 Ponsonby 12

Pool 3: Suburbs 15 Otahuhu 14, Manukau beat Mt Wellington by default, Otahuhu 24 Manukau 0, Suburbs 24 Manukau 7, Suburbs 54 Mt Wellington 0, Otahuhu 36 Mt Wellington 0

Pool 4: Pakuranga 31 College Rifles 21, Papatoetoe 26 Waitakere City 7, Pakuranga 19 Waitakere City 5, College Rifles 22 Papatoetoe 7, Waitakere City 29 College Rifles 24, Pakuranga 41 Papatoetoe 7

Plate semifinals: Waitemata 21 College Rifles 20, Marist 19 Otahuhu 17

Plate final: Waitemata 21 Marist 17

Cup semifinals: Pakuranga 22 Grammar TEC 12, University 31 Suburbs 10

Cup final: University 29 Pakuranga 7

Premier women:

Pool 1: Waitemata 10 Ponsonby 7, College Rifles 29 Papatoetoe 2 0, Papatoetoe 2 17 Ponsonby 12, College Rifles 29 Waitemata 0, College Rifles 26 Ponsonby 5, Waitemata 12 Papatoetoe 2 12

Pool 2: Marist 33 Papatoetoe 1 5

Cup semifinals: Marist 19 Papatoetoe 2 10, College Rifles 26 Papatoetoe 1 5

Cup final: College Rifles 26 Marist 7

Under 20 men:

Pool 1: East Tamaki 29 Otahuhu 10, East Tamaki 26 Grammar TEC 0, Otahuhu 14 Grammar TEC 5

Pool 2: Marist 19 Eden 5, Pakuranga 29 Manukau 10, Marist 36 Pakuranga 7, Manukau 33 Eden 5, Manukau 21 Marist 17, Pakuranga 19 Eden 17

Pool 3: Papatoetoe 1 50 Mt Wellington 0, Ponsonby 38 Mt Wellington 0, Ponsonby 21 Papatoetoe 1 15

Pool 4: University 12 Waitemata 7, Papatoetoe 2 17 College Rifles 17, Papatoetoe 2 10 University 7, Waitemata 31 College Rifles 5, University 19 College Rifles 5, Waitemata 14 Papatoetoe 2 10

Plate semifinals: Manukau 21 Papatoetoe 1 15, Waitemata 20 Otahuhu 0

Plate final: Manukau 7 Waitemata 5

Cup semifinals: Ponsonby 12 Marist 5, East Tamaki 24 University 10

Cup final: East Tamaki 20 Ponsonby 12