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By Nick Jordan in Sigatoka

Red Rock from Suva beat off 23 other local club teams to take home $20,000, the largest-ever first prize in Fijian rugby, at the inaugural Fiji Coral Coast Sevens in Sigatoka.

Star player Peni Gaunimeke scored twice in the 29-28 victory over Army Green in the Cup final and was named the tournament's most valuable player.

Wardens Gold won the Plate for the losing Cup quarter-finalists 14-12 over Saunaka, the Wardens Green team made it a double with a win over Waqavuka 17-0 in the Bowl and Sabeto took home the Shield.

On the same day the Flying Fijians best-ever result at Cardiff, drawing 16-16 with Wales, the home-based players turned on an enthralling day of Rugby Sevens at Lawaqa Park, and the final was a great advertisement for the game.

Red Rock were down 0-14 in the showpiece match and guilty of kicking away possession that lead directly to Army's tries, but Gaunimeke showed flair to score two stunning tries and level the game 14-14 at halftime. Jone Saunavalua scored after the break and Isoa Tuinakoro landed a penalty goal to give them a 22-14 lead.

Army were not finished and tries to Epi Asanasiga and Jone Muloilagi pulled them back to one point.

Gaunimeke said the win was a team effort:

"We know the Army have many Fiji players and we thank the Lord for giving us the strength to win the tournament. Many of the boys have just left school so today we showed Sigatoka that we should be here," he said. "I told the team to work hard and trust God and he will make us champion today."

The former Deans Trophy winner said Sevens gave the team great experiences and they would use the prize money to get them to the Darwin Sevens in mid-January.

Semi Finals both close encounters

Army had survived a comeback from Waimanu in the first semi-final winning 19-14 after leading 14-0. Iliavi Satala (before the break) and Jone Natua (early in the second spell) crossed for Army before the top seeds made a comeback to level at 14-14. With time almost up Army were spurred into action and Eparama Baravilala's score won the day for the soldiers.

Red Rock also gave up a two-try lead needing extra time to beat Ratu Filise after leading 12-0. Muloilagi and Jone Yavukia ran in early tries but Filise, who had been pinned inside their own half for most of the match, gradually came back and levelled at 12-12 with tries to Ifereimi Tevilevu and Leveni Kuru Tani.

Red Rock applied more pressure in sudden-death and had two shots at goals from infringements close to the Ratu Filise line. From the second, Sireli Natodre's shot was true and Red Rock headed into the money match winning 15-12.

Narrow Margins in Quarter Finals

Red Rock had looked the best of the last eight defeating Warwick 14-12 after leading 14-0 at half-time. Gaunimeke stood out scoring one try and converting both, which in the end proved the difference.

All four quarter-finals were heart-stoppers with Waimanu defeating the students of Fiji National University Lautoka 10-5 in extra time thanks to Wame Waqavanua's try. It was a lucky escape for the top seeds against the underdogs, who had their opportunities and are sure to do well in the future.

Army Green fought back from 0-10 down to survive against former Fijian coach Jo Savou's Wardens Gold, winning 12-10.

Young Ratu Filise winger Raugo Tunidani scored both his side's tries as they held on to beat Saunaka by the same score. His excellent solo effort in the corner to open the scoring was countered by Saunaka's Mosese Bogisa after a great final pass from Jiuta Takubu.

Filise survived with six men for part of the game and Tunidani's second took them to 12-5. Vilive Senibua gave Saunaka hope with a last-minute effort but the kick to force extra time was astray and Filise went through 12-10.

Organised by the operators of the finest 5-star resorts on the Coral Coast, including Shangri-La's Fijian Resort & Spa, Outrigger on the Lagoon, Fiji Hideaway Resort & Spa, the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa and Sigatoka River Safari, the tournament was a great success for the region which lies an hour south of Nadi.

Plans are in place to invite international teams for next year.

Nick Jordan is in Fiji thanks to Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific

Wau (Cup competition): Winner $20,000; Runner-up $7500; Semi-finalists $2500

Final
Red Rock 29 Army Green 28
Semi finals
Army Green 19 Waimanu 14
Red Rock 15 Ratu Filise 12 AET
Quarter finals
Waimanu 10 Ratu Filise 5 AET
Army Green 12 Wardens Gold 10
Ratu Filise 12 Saunaka 10
Red Rock 14 Warwick 12

Tanoa (Plate competition): Winner $2000; Runner-up $900
Final
Wardens Gold 14 Saunaka 12
Semi finals
Wardens Gold 32 FNU University 14
Saunaka 22 Warwick 21

Davui (Bowl competition): Winner $800; Runner-up $400
Final
Wardens Green 17 Waqavuka 0
Semi finals
Waqavuka 17 PWD Bure 10
Wardens Green 13 Army FTG 8
Quarter finals
PWD Bure17 Lomavata 14
Waqavuka 12 Surprise Barbarians 7
Wardens Green 17 Ravuka Sharks 12 AET
Army FTG 17 Uprising Beach Resort 0

Lase (Shield competition): Winner $500; Runner-up $250
Final
Sabeto 32 Yalovata 5
Semi finals
Yalovata 22 Mala Young Boys 5
Sabeto 19 Naviti 5
Quarter finals
Mala Young Boys 33 Namaka 10
Yalovata 24 Intercontinental 19
Naviti won over Gaunevou (DQ)
Sabeto 22 Nabua 7