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Samurai International recorded their fifth straight Amsterdam Sevens win at the weekend, narrowly overcoming a spirited effort from crowd favourites the Kooga Wailers in the final.

The invitational Sevens giant once again proved too clinical and experienced for their competitors scraping through some tight games on Day 2 to again be crowned champions at the Sportpark de Eendrach.

At the start of Day 1 the big sides knew from previous Amsterdam tournaments that points difference is crucial at the pool stages, determining how you seeded for the following days competition. This led to some ruthless displays from the likes of Mels Exiles, Samurai, Stoned Pups, Original Marauders, International Maruaders, and Millfield Old Boys who racked up impressive amounts of points. This was particularly evident in the Stoned Pups 19 try 95-0 mauling of Illesheim Black 'n Blue, resulting in them leapfrogging Millfield in the seeding stakes.

There was also some encouraging results from the likes Plume of Feathers, 1989 winners, and Russian side Yuug who pushed Samurai hard in the pool stages. Playing a brand of intelligent and uncompromising sevens the Russians fully deserved their advancement into the main Silver Pier competition on Day 2. Other strong European performances came from the national sides of Holland and Germany (Scorpion).

The Germans included 8 of the side who are making the trip to Twickenham this weekend for the next leg of the IRB World Sevens Series.

A theme throughout the weekend was the controversy surrounding two sides both dubbed the Marauders. Both of them won their groups convincingly with Drew Locke and Rory Damant going well for the International Marauders side whilst the evergreen Howard Graham as always pulling the strings for the ‘Original’ Marauders.

Day 2 is when the tournament kicks into life and so it proved with the seedings for the Silver Pier Pools with some interesting match ups in 2nd stage of Pool Games which eventually determined the Quarter-Finals.

First up it was the Stoned Pups who nudged past a valiant International Marauders 12-10. The Pups impressed with their tidy and courageous defence and also showing nous at the break down, with strong performances from Matt Vaughn and Ken Aseme seeing off the young and talented International Marauders outfit. Player coach Waisale Serevi once again turned the clock back showing glimpses of magic for Mels Exiles who gave Samurai a real working over, only to fall short 10-14 with Chris Ashton the main difference between the sides. Kooga Wailers proved far too hot for Millfield who suffered without the services of Tommy Dann allowing the Smales brothers – Hamish and Jack – to cut loose. Undoubtedly the biggest shock of the last 8 was the Yuugs epic win over ‘Original Marauders’ with the Russians expertly disrupting their rhythm to run out 12-10 winners.

In the Semi-Finals Samurai took on the Nick Warren’s Stoned Pups with the latter struggling to control the physicality and speed of the holders, with Samurai winning through 26-0. The Pups head to Benidorm this weekend though with growing confidence and will hope outside back Tom Jarvis will be fit with Roma also in their sights in June. Yuug’s fantastic run in the tourney came to an end in the 2nd , where the Kooga’s superior 7s experience really told winning 19-5. The Wailers’ patience and supreme work-rate frustrated the physical Russians who had excited the crowd following their great 2 days.

Many expected a Wailers/Samurai final and it didn’t disappoint. Samurai’s ability to win, when not always hitting their heights, was very much in evidence here and despite both teams scoring three tries apiece it was Samurai who kicked their goals to run out 19-15 winners keeping out a ferocious onslaught from the Wailers at the start of the match to confirm their status as the Kings of the Dam.

In the Ladies competition it was Samurai Ladies (England Women) who perhaps somewhat predictably met Wooden Spoon in the final. 'The Spoon' had earlier beaten Germany in the Semi-Finals 59-0 with Samurai also comfortably winning 45-0 against the Coroslettes in their tie. In the final Samurai completed their virtual monoploy of Amsterdam with a professional and clinical 22-10 win.