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Hong Kong claimed the Borneo Sevens title on Sunday, beating Japan 31-28 in the second of two ranking events in the ARFU Asian Rugby Sevens Series, says the IRB.

Korea won the first ranking event, the Shanghai Sevens in September, and both sides will head to the Asian Games in China later this month (Guangzhou on 21-23 November) buoyed by their performances, having also qualified to play at the 2011 Hong Kong Sevens.

The top six teams after the two ranking events qualify to the event next March and in a repeat of last year's final, Hong Kong took revenge on defending champions Japan to win the Borneo leg of the Asian Rugby Seven Series at the a wet Likas Stadium.

Hong Kong took an early lead when Jamie Hood broke free for a try but Japan answered almost immediately to level the scores. Both sides scored again before the end of the first half, but a missed conversion from Hong Kong's second try meant Japan led 14-12 at the break.

Three early tries in the second half, with two courtesy of prop Kwok Kah Chun, gave Hong Kong an unassailable 31-14 lead. Although Japan came back strongly in the dying minutes, it was a case of too little, too late as Hong Kong held on for the victory.

"Japan is a difficult team to defeat and it was a great win for us, especially as we head towards the Asian Games. This team has been together for over a year and it's quite possibly the best squad we have ever had," said a jubilant Hong Kong coach Dai Rees.

"It is especially nice to win in Borneo, Malaysia, which I believe is one of the best venues on the circuit."

Hong Kong had beaten Thailand 43-12 in the quarter finals, before beating Korea 43-0 in the last four to book their place in the final against Japan, who had defeated Guam and China 40-0 and 17-7 respectively en route to the title decider. In their play-off match, Korea beat China 21-5 to finish third overall in the tournament.

Malaysia qualify for Hong Kong with Plate triumph

Malaysia put their 10-7 quarter final defeat to Korea behind them and ended their campaign strongly with a 15-10 win over Sri Lanka in the Plate final.

As only one of two ranking events in the Asian Rugby Sevens Series calendar, Malaysia's fifth place ensures their qualification for the 2011 Hong Kong Sevens, which will be the first time they have qualified for the prestigious event since 2003.

Apenisa Vasutoga opened the scoring with a fine try in the second minute before Nacani Seniu added another a minute later for Malaysia to lead 10-0 at half time.

Sri Lanka levelled the score with tries in the fifth and sixth minute of the second half but Dinesh Krisnan ensured the win for the home team, breaking away and scoring in the final minute of the match.

"We came here with the objective of qualifying for Hong Kong, and we're happy we have achieved that goal," said team manager Tan Kah Hock.

In the Bowl competition, Kazakhstan defeated Thailand 7-0 in the final after the two teams had recorded 36-7 and 17-12 victories over India and Chinese Taipei.

Kazakhstan win women's title

Kazakhstan were crowned Asia-Pacific Women's Sevens champions as they beat Papua New Guinea 22-15 in the final of the competition held in Borneo.

Locked at 10-10 at half time, Kazakhstan upped their game in the second half to build a 22-10 lead and, although Papua New Guinea threatened to comeback after scoring a try late in the match, Asia's top side held on to win the inaugural tournament.

In the Plate final, the Cook Islands defeated Singapore 10-5 to end their first ever tournament on a high note, while Samoa took fifth spot with a 14-7 win over Tonga in the Bowl final.

Seven international women's teams took part in the event, which will act as a warm-up event for the Asian Games in China later this month.

On day one of the competition Kazakhstan took control of group one with several players from their Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 squad showing good form in their victories over Tonga and the Cook Islands.

The surprise of the first day of action was Singapore's victory over a more fancied Samoa side following their opening 28-0 pool match loss to an impressive Papua New Guinea outfit.