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Nick Jordan in Singapore

A stunning second half saw Daveta from Fiji win the 64th edition of the Singapore Cricket Club International Sevens at the Padang.

The team from the Coral Coast lifted the Ablitt Cup for the 5th time in front of a sellout crowd beating first-time finalists the Borneo Eagles 29-19 after the scores were tied 12-12 at halftime.

Timoci Tomeru, Kalivati Tauvoli, Jerry Tananisau and Peni Naulago scored for the victors in their first Ablitt Cup win since 2005. Star of the tournament Richie Ah Chong scored all three tries for the Eagles taking his tally on the final day to 10.

Daveta, formerly Davetalevu, had looked unstoppable from the first day and manager Paula Biu said the whole team contributed.

“We had an easy run in the pool games but had some harder games in the elimination rounds. When things got tough the players off the bench could come on and lift up the team,” he said. “It has been a long time since we won this tournament and we thank the Lord for the victory.”

Biu singled out Tomeru and Tananisau for potential higher honours although the whole squad showed typical Fijian flair over the three days.

“We are trying to bring back the old Fijian sevens style,” Biu added.

Extra Time Drama For Pyrenees

Nathieu Moges scored in the eighth minute of extra-time to give the Pyrenees, a first-time visitor to the Padang, a dramatic 10-5 win in the Plate over Casuarina.

Four countries were represented in the semis and the sides from France and the Northern Territory, who had caused an upset beating Randwick 7-5 earlier in the day, produced a thrilling display.

Hosts SCC found Cottesloe too powerful in the Bowl final, with the West Australians winning 21-5 while the crew from the HMNZS Te Kaha completed a successful weekend winning the Jug over fellow military side The Flying Kukris 21-17.

Daveta March To Final

Earlier Daveta conceded only three tries on the way to the final and won their semi 12-7 over Ponsonby.

The Fijian magic eliminated the Aucklanders with tries to Seru Naqasina and Eranua Naudi, the latter a candidate for the try of the tournament with its strong running, support play and one-handed passes. Although exciting Ponsonby winger Alex Samoa pulled one back he, and his young side, came up short at the death.

Daveta had been made to work hard against COBRA in the quarters, with Carlos Gavidi giving the Malaysians the early lead. Naulago ran 60 metres to score after the hooter and bring up a somewhat fortunate 7-5 halftime lead.

Amin Vamaluddin put COBRA back in front but the Fijians ran in a long-range try to Naqasina and sealed a 21-10 victory with Naulago’s second.

Daveta had previously overwhelmed Tamariva in the round of 16 winning 46-0 after leading 31-0 at halftime. Kalivati Tauvoli scored three of the eight tries.

Richie Ah Chong Impresses Cullen

Ah Chong starred as Borneo made the Ablitt Cup final with a 24-17 win over Penguins, the defending champions, in their semi.

While his first was courtesy of a brilliant in-pass from Danny Tusitala the rest came from his remarkable acceleration and electric pace. Ah Chong made the defence look foolish at times in a performance which would have pleased the legendary Christian Cullen, in the crowd as a guest of the SCC.

Frank Wogenstroom, in the Penguins after winning a scholarship through the International Rugby Academy, scored twice and Tua Saseve once.

The Eagles had snuck into the last four 12-5 against Sunnybank, the sole Australian representative in the quarters.

With the match locked up at the halftime score of 5-5 the Eagles received a penalty well after the final hooter and wore down the defence to send Dennis Pili crashing over. Ah Chong, who had also grabbed a double against East Arnhem, opened the scoring while Sunnybank’s tryscorer was Darryl Kepu.

Janeczek Praises Hosts

France Development and Japan Samurai, two of the shadow national sides in the event, were knocked out in the quarters, against Ponsonby and the Penguins respectively.

French coach Thierry Janeczek said the tournament, their first at the SCC, was excellent for his Sevens program ahead of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

“It was very good tournament of a good standard and excellent in terms of organisation and we are very pleased,” said Janeczek. “It was a long tournament and it was difficult with the sun and then the rain but it was great experience and we hope to back next year.”

The veteran coach said the tournament helped his second tier in getting up to the required level although few were likely to be on world circuit just yet.

“The team for the Gold Coast is already selected so these players are unlikely to be in the Series this year but some are ready to take the step up next year. We will follow Singapore with tournaments in Dubai (December) and Uprising Fiji (January) and it will be good to see these players gain experience in more tournaments,” he said.

France had won a see-saw Round of 16 encounter against Randwick with their 24-14 victory closer than the scoreline indicates before saying au revoir at the hands of Ponsonby. Teddy Thomas scored three tries in the win over Randwick.

Schools, colleges and women's games were also played at the historic tournament which is likely to join the Asian Sevens Series next year.

RESULTS FROM THE 64TH SINGAPORE CRICKET CLUB INTERNATIONAL SEVENS

ABLITT CUP

Round of 16

Ponsonby 12 Casuarina Cougars 0

France Development 24 Randwick 14

Daveta 46 Tamariva 0

COBRA 34 Swedish Vikings 7

Sunnybank 55 Impala 0

Borneo Eagles 20 East Arnhem 0

Penguins 38 Pyrenees 7

Japan Samurai 24 Palmyra 5

Quarterfinals

Ponsonby 19 France Development 12

Daveta 21 COBRA 10

Borneo Eagles 12 Sunnybank 5

Penguins 26 Japan Samurai 5

Semifinals

Daveta 12 Ponsonby 7

Borneo Eagles 24 Penguins 17

Final

Daveta 29 Borneo Eagles 19

PLATE

Final

Pyrenees 10 Casuarina Cougars 5 (AET)

BOWL

Final

Cottesloe 21 SCC 5

JUG
Final

Te Kaha Pirates 21 The Flying Kukris 17

Full results and fixtures are on www.sccrugbysevens.com