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No Shocks At SCC Sevens

Nick Jordan in Singapore

There were no surprises in the first session of the 64th Singapore Cricket Club International Sevens.

Defending champions the Penguins (UK), Randwick from Sydney, Daveta from the Nadroga region of Fiji and the Borneo Eagles looked the most impressive of the 24 teams at the “Friendly Sevens” on the Padang.

The Penguins were largely untroubled against the Casuarina Cougars, winning 33-7, although captain Willie Walker says they were disappointed to concede a try.

“It was always going to be tough early on and it’s good to get a run and a bit of time to recuperate as well.

“We were pretty happy with the way things went, although we aimed to keep them scoreless, and it’s going to get harder as the weekend goes on. We have a good bunch of guys and they’re doing ok!”

The 33-year old, who played for Gloucester and Worcester in five years of professional rugby in England, last played sevens for Taradale here in 2000, when the Hawke’s Bay club won the event and said it was great to be back.

“It’s nice to be running around with the young guys and keeping the dream alive,” Walker joked.

Regular attendees Impala (KEN) started proceedings beating the host nation 22-5 while first-timers France Development overwhelmed the Flying Kukris (BRU) 62-0. Fellow French outfit Pyrenees, also making their debut in the Lion City, opened their account with a 33-0 win over local club Bucks.

Matthew Mackay and Ethan Ford each scored twice as Randwick had an easy 50-0 win over Kurumi, one of the three Japanese teams in the field. The ‘Galloping Greens’ won the Ablitt Cup in 1993 and are back on the Padang for the first time since 2008.

Cobra and Borneo Eagles, the two Malaysian entries again predominantly featuring players of New Zealand origin, both accounted for their opponents – Indonesia’s Harimau (45-0) and Perth’s Palmyra (26-0) respectively – with ease. Former Samoan international Richie Ah Chong scored two tries for Borneo with his express pace.

The Swedish Vikings were last in Singapore in 2001 and returned with the team issue Viking helmets. Ranked just outside the top 12 in Europe the Swedes started with a patchy 22-0 win over the Pirates, the crew from the HMNZS Te Kaha. Tim Johansson scored two of their four tries.

In contrast Ponsonby (Auckland’s champion club) are regular visitors but the 1988, 1989 and 2006 champions field their youngest squad for a number of years and struggled over East Arnhem Rugby (AUS). Tries to Matt Howling, Regan Oxenham, Trope Yandall and Alex Samoa ensured a 28-7 triumph after things were tied 7-7 at halftime.

Queensland’s finest, Sunnybank, showed little respect for their hosts the Singapore Cricket Club with a 52-0 demolition.

Having won the Plate in 2010 (on their first appearance) Sunnybank arrived as winners of the Central Coast Sevens, runners-up of the Byron Bay Sevens and Brisbane’s Hospital Cup champion. Playmaker Matthew Lucas scored two tries and set up two others as Sunnybank ran in four scores in each half.

Four-time champions Daveta (formerly Davetalevu) didn’t give Cottesloe a sniff in their opening tie, delighting the small crowd with their pace, ball skills and punishing defence to win 38-0. Peni Naulago, Jerry Tananisau and Seru Naqasina each scored two tries for the Fijians.

Japan Samurai, the shadow national team, rounded out the first of three days action with a 25-0 win over fellow countrymen Tamariva.

With teams from 12 countries there are a number of internationals lacing up the boots.

Two members of New Zealand’s winning IRB Junior World Championship team in Italy in June, centre Francis Saili (Borneo Eagles) and flanker Carl Axtens (Penguins), are getting their first taste of international sevens while other notable players include Fijian Kelemedi Bola (Cobra), ex-Wallaby Josh Valentine (captaining Randwick) and the Penguins’ Codey Rei, who won the Junior World Championship with Aaron Cruden and Zac Guildford for New Zealand in 2009.

Twenty-four pool matches are on the schedule for tomorrow which also sees the semis and final of the international women’s competition involving four Asian teams. The schools and colleges tournaments feature on Sunday along with the Ablitt Cup, Plate, Bowl and Jug.

The schedule and results for the SCC International 7s can be found here