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A star-studded Samurai International clinched a second National Series title in succession at the West Country Sevens.

As had been the case at RugbyRocks the Cup final proved a nail-biter with the British Army scoring two tries at the death to make things uncomfortable for Samurai, who ran out 36-33 winners.

They again took the maximum 20 points on offer with two more legs to play at Manchester (July 3) and Newquay (July 17). 

The champions had the luxury of fielding five players who were part of the 09/10 IRB Sevens World Series for Wales and England.

Les Bleus, a development side to the French national team, took home the Plate title, edging local boys the Trust PA Cavaliers in another absorbing encounter at Keynsham RFC.
 

Cup final

A visibly pumped up British Army, last week’s semi-finalists, dominated the early exchanges in the day’s finale. Playing a fast tempo that took advantage of Samurai errors, the Army were soon in control. Gus Qasevakatini crossed early and when Fiji Sevens international Jack Prasad’s mazy run set up Malakai Magnus, the Army had their noses in front at 0-14.

Lee Rees, awarded the Player of the Tournament by UR7s, soon began to show his class setting up a Geoff Griffiths try and generally pulling the strings for Samurai. A destructive run from powerhouse John Rudd pulled Samurai closer, but the Army went 12-14 ahead at half-time. 

Good work from captain Mark Bright, unleashed Rees who collected his own chip to give Samurai the lead early in the second period. The Series leaders now sensed this was their moment and began to seize the initiative with structured play that stretched the Army. Scores from Jake Abbot and Rhys Jones made it 29-21 in Samurai’s favour.

Patient play from the Army saw Malakai Magnus’ dummy put in Bunny Burenivlu but Samurai’s Mike Davis restored their advantage in what turned out to be a high scoring tussle. 

The Army hadn’t given up the ghost though and took advantage of the tiring opposition to again cross through Magnus and Burenivlu, taking it to the wire. But Samurai were not to be denied and are now firmly in the National Series driving seat.

Cup semi-finals

The Army, suffering late pull-outs from the influential Mark Lee and Apolosi Satala, battled through to the final courtesy of a hard-fought 17-12 win over the HFW Wailers.

It was another close semi-final loss to the Wailers who took the lead through Jack Harrison. But a double from Magnus turned the tie in the Army’s favour. Steven Parsons showed superb speed to pull Wailers in front once more but Burenivlu’s break set-up Qasevakatini to send the men in red through. 

The Marauders again showed genuine potential for the future with their young guns taking them to the semi-finals. But they ran into an unforgiving Samurai who raced into a 26-0 lead thanks to efforts from Griffiths, Rudd, Abbott, and Mark Bright. School-boy Miles Mantella crossed for a consolation try in the 26-5 win to Samurai. 

Cup quarter-finals

The WH Marauders had earlier knocked Shamrock Warriors out of the competition in their last-eight clash. Ifan Evans, Miles Mantella, and Charlie Walker put the Marauders up 19-0. The Warriors hit back to score two late tries through Sam Cronin and Damian Hall but it wasn't enough.

The Akuma Smurfs were good value for their place in the quarter-finals but ran into a flying Hamish Smales. The Wailers back was on fire early on, scoring four first half tries to effectively send the Welshmen home. Marcus Johnston and Adam Whitney’s tries got the Smurfs on the scoresheet.

Apache battled gamely in their last-eight clash with the Army going down 10-7. Despite conceding two early tries, a spirited second half display was rewarded with Sandy Reid’s slashing line resulting in a converted try – but they couldn’t breakdown the workmanlike servicemen.

The combative Gilbert Pups were not in a mood to be bullied by Samurai in the first Cup quarter-final. James Stephenson, part of the successful Esher team at RugbyRocks, was a menace all day and his score gave the Pups a surprise 5-7 lead. But Samurai’s domination at the re-start gifted them plenty of possession providing scores for the tireless Abbott, Norton, Bright, and Rudd.

But the Pups weren’t finished and Stephenson’s second and a Neville Edwards try made it a respectable 36-21 loss.

Plate

In another try fest Jeremy Pailhes’s late winner brought delight to Les Bleus and their charismatic coach Giancarlo Toufou. An early brace from international Florent Gibouin gave the French the lead but the ‘Cavs’ showed flair and heart to fight back led by talisman and captain Rhidian McGuire.

Core sides Olorun ID and Raging Bull Ronin both disappointed, getting knocked out in the semi-finals and going winless on the day. 
 

National Sevens Series - West Country Sevens knockouts results

14:20 Cup Q/F #1 Samurai Intertnational 35 V Gilbert Pups 21
14:40 Cup Q/F #2 HFW Wailers 33 Akuma Smurfs 10
15:00 Cup Q/F #3 British Army 10 Apache 7
15:20 Cup Q/F #4 WH Marauders 19 Shamrock Warriors 12
15:40 Plate Semi Ronin 15 Cavaliers 0
16:00 Plate Semi Olorun ID 17 Les Bleus 33
16:20 Cup Semi #1 Samurai 26 WH Marauders 5
16:40 Cup Semi #2 British Army 17 HFW Wailers 14
18:00 Plate Final Cavaliers 29 Les Bleus 31
18:30 Cup Final Samurai 36 British Army 33

National Sevens Series Standings (after 2 events)

Samurai International 40 (pts)
British Army 28
HFW Wailers  24
White Hart Marauders 22
Gilbert Pups 20
Akuma Smurfs 20
Apache 20
Olorun ID 12
Raging Bull Ronin 8