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more »Samurai International and Aussie Pearls victorious in Paradise

Samurai International, fresh off and second place finish in Kenya at the Safaricom Sevens have won the Paradise 7s on the Gold Coast of Australia. Samurai have been on a run of unprecedented success in 2011 which has seen them toake notable scalps across the world including the Super Sevens Series, The Middlesex Sevens in the UK and apart from losing the Amsterdam 7s for the first time in 6 years, 2011 has been a fantastic year for Terry Sands' team
Yesterday, a side comprising mainly young Kiwi players, beat Matai Red Rock 47-21 in a match highlighting the attacking flair of both teams, to claim the Paradise Sevens title.
Samurai pushed out to a 26-0 lead late in the first half in a dominant performance and threatened to run away with the game.
But Red Rock had showed earlier in the tournament they were no pushovers, running down Michael O'Connor's Australian Thunderbolts side in the semi-final to force a 15-15 draw and extra-time, before prevailing 20-15 through a try late in the extra five-minute period.
They scored just before halftime in the final through a try to June Vota to make the score 26-7 at the break and while Samurai crossed first in the second term, Red Rock added two quick converted tries to get within 12 points and liven the contest.
But when Malakai Fekitoa scored his second try of the match, Samurai put the result beyond doubt, with Tevina Sauileoge's try in the dying minutes sealing not only the title for Samurai but winning him man-of-the-match honours.
The Thunderbolts were out on their feet in their semi-final loss, despite the best efforts of captain Hamish Angus and outside back Bill Meakes.
While the pair put their best foot forward for inclusion in Australia's side for the weekend's opening round of the IRB World Series at Skilled Park, O'Connor could look outside the squad for the final additions to his side.
Having already settled on 10 players prior to the weekend, O'Connor was using the Paradise Sevens as a guide to selection and will name his Thunderbolts World Series squad today.
Australia Women continue dominance
Meanwhile, the Aussie Pearls were outstanding in their run through the tournament, extending to 16 their run of games without having a point scored against them.
Their 20-0 win against New Zealand team Eastsyde gave them a 281-0 aggregate for the tournament, including a 51-0 semi-final win against Nerang.
They did not have things all their own way in the decider though, with Eastsyde showing their class to restrict the Australians to just one try in the opening half.
Alexandra Hargreaves crossed early in the second half after strong lead-up work from Bo de la Cruz and captain Rebecca Tavo before a Kristy Giteau double sealed the win.
New Zealand side Drifters won the men's plate final 34-12 over the Northern Territory Mosquitoes, while Brisbane Fijians beat Surfers Paradise 12-10 to take out the East Coast Challenge.





COMMENTS
Mrs D Tue 22 Nov 2011 04:35
Eastsyde is a Brisbane team. Full of kiwis but a Brisbane based team.
Reply | Report this PostRowdy Wed 1 Feb 2012 15:22
These topics are so cnofsiung but this helped me get the job done.
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