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19:51

Queen's 'We Are The Champions' predictably comes on and South Africa's inspirational skipper Mzwandile Stick holds aloft the trophy! Congrats boys, it’s been a pleasure watching you this season. See you in Dubai!!

Thanks for tuning in guys over the last few months, I’ve loved every minute of it. Get yourself to an IRB Sevens event if you’ve never been to one...

See UR7s later for the full day review, as usual. As for me I’m off to try and blag my way into the official players function to soak up the end of season atmosphere. Over and Out for 2008/2009!

Big Kiss x

19:47

What a season it has been as highlights from all of South Africa's triumphs this year at Dubai, George, and Adelaide are played out. Never before have we seen it so close for the IRB Sevens, with New Zealand's dominance truly over. And now we have to wait til November to start it all again, I'm not sure if I can quite wait that long frankly. What an advert for our Olympic push on the IRB Sevens 10th anniversary.

19:38

So there you have it. Fiji leapfrog England to the runners up position in the overall table! Cracking final and when Fiji turn it on like they did just then they can be too hot for anyone to handle on a 7s field.

Up they come to lift the trophy amongst a barrage of fireworks but it's those South Africans who will be up on that rostrum again in a sec to lift the overall Series!

19:31

Cup Final – Fiji v South Africa

Fiji strike first with skipper Vucago beating Stick down after his chip ahead. Nice show and go from Zangqa and despite a double tackle from Tuwai it’s fed to Benjamin to give the Boks the lead at 7-5. Vucago again orchestrating things, gaining yardage and finding Tuwai who very casually puts it down to give Fijians the lead again. More Fijian wizardry courtesy of Kolinisau who flies in, despite a brave Mbiyozo tackle. 15-7 Fiji. Take a break boys. The final half of the IRB Sevens season is coming up...

Fiji playing some classy stuff here, with a willingness to really throw it around. Goneva with a wicked step there and he is too powerful for little Dazel and its 20-7 to the Fijians. Aplon has been the Paul Treu’s ultimate super sub this year and here he is again popping up wide to eat into this Fijian lead - 12-20 to Fiji. Dazel magic now after he loops round Schoeman and slashes through their line and its a 1 point ball game at 19-20 to Fiji. SA push but the Fijians just wear them down and run the clock down. And Fiji have done it!! They are Edinburgh champions!

Result: Fiji 20 South Africa 19

19:30

So we have a re-run of the Hong Kong final with our new Series winners South Africa tackling Fiji. From a head to head point of view it’s even-Stevens with them having both beaten each other 16 times each over the last decade. Paul Treu is looking for the perfect way to finish off a magical season, and Fiji want to overtake England for the IRB runner’s up spot.

18:55

Plate Final – Australia v New Zealand

Good stuff form the ‘Green and Gold’ of Australia going long from the kick off and pouncing on some loose ball for Bishop to go in early doors. 7-0. Back come NZ with runs from Savea setting up Rickards who brushes of Stannard, 7-5 to OZ still. Vanderglass is used at the battering ram and it’s sent out to Dom Shipperley who squeezes in past Savea to take control of this 12-5. Jinky Nanai-Williams goes through a hole and beats a chasing Stannard to the corner to cut the deficit to 12-10.

Lawrence is particularly prominent early on and before long it’s Nanai-Williams again who shimmies and darts over to take NZ out to 17-12 lead. Foley gets binned for a crunching dump tackle that verged on a spear and Savea makes them pay with the one man overlap giving him a try. Nanai-Williams is completely bossing this with another injection of feet making room from Tuoro whose under the posts, 29-12 to NZ. More from Nanai-Williams, dummy/scissoring with one hand and he’s in for a deserved hat-trick

Result: Australia 12 New Zealand 34

18:34

Australia drew with New Zealand in Los Angeles in 2006 but they have not beaten them since the Brisbane tournament in 2002 when they won 32-0, their last Cup final. That’s a long time, perfect time for them to take a Kiwi scalp and reward themselves with a shiny little Plate for their mantelpiece.

Jim’s Update : As YMCA goes off for 348th time this weekend the fiesta is building ahead of the big one later, sure there was some disappointment of Scotland not quite making it but it’s wonderful what a cold beer can do to put a sunburnt smile back on your face!

18:27

Bowl Final – England v France

First blood to Les Bleus with a run from Andreu setting up Dabrin who has too much for Phillips. Oduoza is a complicated lump to bring down and the French don’t really fancy having a go after he is put in by Starling, England up 7-5. Not for long though as Andreu again punctures a hole and gives it to Joffrey Michel who's in at a canter, 10-7 to France. What this?! Referee’s assistant picks up something, yes that’s right he has seen Andreu butting Young and that’s a needless RED CARD for France. Drinks.

Big Uche has a run, makes some yards, sensibly comes back in though and it eventually comes to Young whose hauled down, ball squirts out over the line and Rodwell applies some downward pressure, 14-1. 6-man France score! First it’s Poujol piercing a hole and Patey gets in to make it 15-14 to the French. Oduoza has had enough of this nonsense and goes through the gears to make it 19-15. Young has a trot, and yet again they rely on an exhausted Oduoza who pops it to Phillips to finish off the French off.

Result: England 26 France 15

17:58

Sweet revenge for last week for the US and some encouragement for Caravelli for next season.

Le Crunch! Perhaps not it’s the only the Bowl Final and not exactly the Battle of Agincourt but both France and England will want to finish this campaign with a ‘W’, it’s a long time till the start of next season (Dubai in November) to put some wrongs right.

17:57

Shield Final – USA V Canada

Error strewn start so far as a couple of knock-ons stop any fluidity in the game. Mensah-Coker who literally towers over Komongnan chips round him and picks up with a little acceleration getting him over, Canada 5-0 up. USA push but it’s not quite happening for them as another error closes the half much to Coach Caravelli’s annoyance. Freshen up fellas.

US enjoying some decent possession and it finally works out for Marco Barnard who skips and hops his way past Buckley to get the US back in the mix, 5 apiece. Great work from Scully stretching the Canadians and once it’s recycled it allows Enosa to loop round to give them the lead at 12-5. Canada flood the US with numbers and some desperate last ditch tackling can’t stop Brown going over. Kick is missed though meaning US grab the Shield.

Result: USA 12 Canada 10

17:40

No rest for the wicked.

For the second successive weekend North American rivals USA and Canada will play in the Shield final after respective wins against Georgia and Spain. Who wants to finish their season with some silverware?! Canada v USA

17:38

Cup SF - Wales v Fiji

Both teams keen to up the tempo, and it’s the Welsh who can’t finish off a couple of early breaks from Merriman. Fijians suck it up and then pounce when the bulky Kotobalavu streaks away after getting round his man. Vision from Williams with a cross-field kick reaching Beach who gets rid of it to his captain Merriman who uses his momentum to cross, 7-7. Brilliance from Nasoni Roko ripping through the heart of the Welsh line and swerving round Williams – unstoppable. 14-7.

Kolinisau cuts in from Vucago and he really shows some genuine wheels to serve past Norris and plonk it under the sticks to open it up 21-7. Fijian fans are loving this as Vucago makes it easy for Rokobuli and he can’t miss from there. 28-7 to Fiji. Boyo that was hard work as the Fijian line holds but eventually it’s veteran Tal Selley who flops over to become his country’s leading points scorer. But Fiji go through.

Result: Fiji 28 Wales 14

17:20

Fiji and Wales trying to add to their World Cup and Hong Kong titles they have already won this season. Fiji turned on the old style in their clash with NZ with a desire to make a lung-bursting ground to support their men and of course the guile and finesse of Tuwai and Roko. Paul John’s Welsh play a similar brand to the Scots, can they go one step further than them though?

17:19

Cup SF* - South Africa v Scotland - Extra Time.

Remember its sudden death here. Risky no-look pass from the Scottish midfield gifts possession back to Scotland and it’s taken up a few phases before the slippery custom Aplon gets the ball and skips past his man with a huge grin on his face to put South Africa into the final – unbelievable stuff!

Result: South Africa 26 Scotland 21

17:14

Cup SF – South Africa v Scotland

All Navy Blue thus far as Scotland force a couple of penalties, and a tap from Gregor puts in Lamont to turn the screw early. 7-0. Back comes the Boks with bursts from Horne and Benjamin, finished sneakily by Zangqa to tie it up. Bit of razzle from Dazel as he scythes the Scots open with a cracking step before burning off Gregor with ease to make it 14-7 to SA at the half. That’ll do his ‘Player of the Year’ chances some good.

Back roar the Scots after a deft touch from Greogr puts in Lamont who casual as like rounds his man to equalise at 14-14. More cracking work from Lamont this time in the tight, Gregor is the link once again and Laidlow applies the finishing touches, 21-14 to the hosts!! Squeaky bum time, as Aplon and Zangqua make the yards, Stick dabs through for Benjamin to score. Stick masterful kick and we’re 21-21. We’re in to Extra Time...!

16:46

South Africa on the verge of finishing off their magical season in style here and even with the Murrayfield acting as an unofficial 8th man to their boys it’s hard to see how they can be broken down.

They now face hosts Scotland, who won through to their second successive semi final - and only their second ever - after Colin Gregor's cool conversion at the death sealed a fine comeback victory against Samoa. Really enjoying the fact that without a gas-man in their ranks they have had to work that 10% harder for each other and it’s quite some spectacle when it clicks.

16:46

Jim’s Update : All going off in the East Stand su,n with the stadium MC giving away Beer Vouchers on the big screen. Some poor bloke thinks he should have a few as he got dumped last night – he’s dressed as an ape today so every silver lining. There’s a couple of stag do’s getting stuck in and some jovial banter with a hen party also. Kenyan team keeping the fans happy posing for some photographers and repeatedly having to decline the pints of beer they are being offered by various fans.

16:31

Plate Update: A combative Australian side continued their progression nicely with a 26-14 win over Samoa. They will meet Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the Plate Final. The Kiwis overpowered a tired looking Kenya side 26-21 with Save Tokula and Kurt Baker impressing again.

Flicking through the programme it interviews most of the Scottish squad, who cite their achievement of winning the Plate at the World Cup as their ultimate achievement in Sevens. They will certainly eclipse if they can get through to their first Cup Final in a moment. It's bubbling nicely out there with Scots expectation...

15:39

Bowl Update: France rushed into a three try lead but the Gomez-Cora brothers gave a brief hope for Argentina with late scores... but it wasn’t enough. Argentina 12 France 19. The French will meet the English in that Bowl Final courtesy the red rose’s 31-7 win over Portugal, with the bulldozing Uche Odouza’s brace enough to take the London winners through.

15:07

Good little atmosphere outside behind the West Stand with inflatable kicking games for the kids and loads of Tag rugby on show. Some of the Scottish folk struggling to deal with the Sun of yesterday as a plethora of red raw blistered backs are on show again today in a typical show of British stubbornness when it comes to sun.

Went and found some food options Haggis, Tatties, and Neeps – delicious if you’re asking. When in Scotland hey. They need to get some of the music outside into the stadium, they are blasting Top Gun, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and some Status Quo. Gotta love the ‘Quo’!

14:54

Shield Update: Spain put up a cracking effort against the Canadians but ultimately fell short 21-19. They have seemed to improve each game and will take heart going into the FIRA European games later this summer. In the other Semi it was Al Caravelli's boys who possessed too much in their locker registering their first win of the weekend against Georgia 27-0.

13:56

Jim’s Update: Right, Jimbo is back today and he was soaking up the Scottish fans who are fairly ebullient after their QF win, with some dancing to YMCA/jazzy Braveheart remix – knock yourself out Jimmy boy. They were also getting right behind their fellow Celts,Wales, who also got through. It’s been a good one for the home UK nations this weekend, well apart from England that is.

Bit of a break now and the Scottish MC is droning on as he introduces some curvy fake tanned cheerleading blondes in front of the West Stand, followed by a drum and bag-pipe combo filling in time between the break in games. Right, that Porridge I had is overrated in the slow releasing carbohydrates stakes, I’m hungry again and off to hunt for some crumbs around the press box.

13:48

Right here are the Plate match-ups:

Australia v Samoa
Kenya v New Zealand

And the Cup:

South Africa v Scotland
Wales v Fiji

13:42

Cup QF – Fiji v New Zealand

Brutal fend from Goneva on Cama gives him a little bit of room to hit Tuwai who rather dramatically dives in on the corner to open proceedings. Baker now is breaking for the Kiwis and he’s half held, so he spins and is wrapped round by Tokula. Cama nails the kick, 7-5 to NZ. That’s class from Fiji, our Hong Kong winner’s this year, as the dancing Tuwai finds Kolinisau who must have eyes in the back of his head to find Goneva . 12-7 at the turn.

Tuwai doing what he does best! After Kolinisau’s cracking cover tackle on Cama, Tuwai gets wide on the wing and is stepping, twirling, with that high knee lift to extend the Fijians lead. Fijians running away with this tie, as Roko running sideways eventually gets one of his boys to cut a decoy line, freeing up Burotu. 26-7. Kiwis back in it though after good work from Lawrence and Tuoru set up Baker and it’s 26-14. Make that 26-19 as King takes advantage of a Vucago binning to score on the near side. But the hooter has gone!

Result: Fiji 26 New Zealand 19

13:21

Cup QF - Kenya v Wales

What a tackle from Injera sprinting 80m to track back Evans and hold up the Weslh, but they get the scrum and Rhys Jones scoots over to give the World Champs the lead at 5 zip. Injera now with a fearsome hand off on Williams before slipping it to Biko Adema and Kenya lead 7-5. Good continuity from the Welsh looking after the pill in contact and it’s recycled wide left to Tom Isaacs who crashes over. 12-7 to Wales as the Isotonics are bought on.

Odour looks odds on to get the Kenyans back in this but no, he’s felled by mini Williams just short. Moments later with injured Kenyan bodies strewn all over the paddock. Harries takes advantage breaking and popping to Tom Issacs and the Welsh are up 19-7. Another knock on from Kenya (Injera) and that’s their 7th error and it’s going to cost them. Cost them big time.
Result: Kenya 7 Wales 19

13:10

Kenyans dug out a 3 and 0 record yesterday and looked the part learning to win ‘ugly’ with Injera and Asego impressing. The Welsh did what they needed to do yesterday without exerting themselves too much. These two met last week in the Bowl Final at Twickers with the Africans feeding off their frenzied fans to secure a 12-7 win. B52’s Love Shack welcomes them on to the field of dreams. Murrayfield DJ has raided the nearby Edinburgh University’s fromage filled playlist. Not a fan bud.

12:59

Cup QF - Samoa v Scotland

First blood to Samoans as Mai cuts in from Lui and goes the distance evading Gregor, 5-0. Dubious forward pass robs Lamont of a try and the Islanders make them pay with Mai again pulling the triggers dummying and feeding a no look pass to Fa’osiliva who streaks in from his 10m line to give his side a small cushion at 12-0.

Scots continue to try and chip away but yesterday’s magic seems to have evaded them. Hang on though as Gregor and Shaw combine nicely and Houston accelerates in to get them back in it at 12-7. Scots get another tough call for apparently some a deliberate on knock on. They have scrum though with a minute left. Boom! Great try, great build up and support from their own line sucks in the Samoans and it is left for Houston with a huge overlap go in. Gregor’s kick seals the deal. What bravery from Scotland!

Result: Samoa 12 Scotland 14

12:47

Right the hosts are up and that means all the Scottish Rugby Union's press guys behind me are going to give me some ear ache. These two have played 19 times before with Samoa taking 16 of them. But the Scots were on real song yesterday playing some enterprising stuff, with a will to keep the ball moving at all times. Crowd who have been coming through the turnstiles in dribs and drabs are being hurried along now by officials, it’s show time. Coach Gemmell thinks this is his team's ‘time’.

12:36

Cup QF - South Africa v Australia

Both sides are sussing each other out for a few phases. Key to South Africa’s dominance is their ability to cover all required bases in their play. Here they front up with some physicality from Stick, Dazel, gives Brown a blindside score. Class from Aussies, visionary chip from Stannard is picked up from Sills who burns in whilst evading the attention of Mr. Stick to give his side the lead, 7-5. SA respond in typical fashion with pace from depth from Brown feeding Zangqa, 12-7 at the break.

Boks press but the door is being shut by OZ, with some cynical penalties, could a binning heading their way. There is, as McMenemy has had enough with Stannard and he is off. Big bad Frankie Horne bundles over from the penalty. 17-7 to the ‘Bokke’. Stingy, clinical, and professional end from South Africa who use all their nous to keep out the Aussies. That’s why they are the best...currently.

Result: South Africa 17 Australia 7

12:15

Right into the riches of the Cup Quarter-Finals now, and it’s our new Champions South Africa against the Aussies. Paul Treu wants to go out in style and pick up both the Edinburgh and overall title today.

UR7s caught up with a friend of ours Tim Walsh (who plays for the Aussies) last night who informed us of their overnight prep for this game. Coach O’Conner makes them split into two groups (Green group and Gold group) to come up with their own strategies to tackle their opponents with some in depth analysis. The group with best review for the next day wins a prize, apparently it gets very competitive! I like it, innovative stuff, let’s see if it helps.

12:15

Bowl Update: France overcame European rivals Spain in an entertaining game winning through 28-12. Patey scored a crackerjack individual effort for the French and got winded falling on the ball and proceeded to throw up all over the pitch. Or was it a few beers last night? Argentina came from behind to overcome the Canadians, that man Gomez-Cora popping up again.

England, winners of London last week, won't be hugely impressed to find themselves in with this lot in the Bowl but took their medicine with a decentish 31-7 win over Georgia. Whilst Portugal overcame US, with just too much oomph and physicality winning 26-5.

Bowl Semi Finals - France v Argentina, England v Portugal.

11:55

Right, format for today: we have some Bowl 1/4s on now, the winners of that head to that Semis, whilst the losers go straight into the Shield Semi-Final. The winners of the Cup 1/4 go straight into the Semis obviously whilst the losing Cup QF's all go straight into the Plate Semis. You following that? Goody.

11:48

This weather has to be some sort of record for the usual grizzly Scottish conditions that the Edinburgh Sevens normally brings. It's SCORCHIO yet again up here. It's sun cream time baby woop! Excuse me if I'm a little perky this morning but been staying with my Uncle Robert in town and he is a huge fan of 'healthy happy postive food', so I'm eyeballed up to the max after my porridge with mashed up bananas, kiwi fruit, blueberries, syrup, almonds. Cheers for the OMEGA’s etc big guy.

11:36

Right here are the Cup Quarter-Final line-ups for today again:

South Africa v Australia
Samoa v Scotland
Kenya v Wales
Fiji v New Zealand

11:33

Hello you! How are we on this fine morning? It's the last day of the season for this IRB Sevens lot here in Edinburgh. The big news here yesterday on Day 1 was that South Africa did enough to make sure they will be crowned World Sevens Series champs later today! Still don't you go thinking that all this means that Day 2 here is going to be a damp squid. To the contrary every side are going to be razor/mustard keen to finish their respective campaigns off on a winning note.