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China claimed their second title of the year as they overcame hosts Thailand to win the Asian Women’s Sevens Championship in Pattaya on Sunday.

Both China and Thailand topped their pools so it was fitting they met in the final, but it was China, the Bowl winners at the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens competition in March, who edged the hosts 24-14.

The result meant that Thailand, another Asian women’s team to have played at the RWC Sevens 2009 in Dubai and the top seeds in this competition, finished runners up for the second year running, having lost to Japan in 2008.

Kazakhstan finished third after defeating Uzbekistan 26-0. Uzbekistan were arguably the best performers over the tournament with their fourth place finish, having gone in as the number 8 seeds. They won three of their pool matches and also ran China close, losing out 19-5, to reach the Cup semi finals.

In the Plate competition, the United Arab Emirates beat Guam 12-7 in the final after overcoming Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei respectively in the semi finals.

Guam were one of six nations appearing in their first Asian Women’s Sevens Championship and along with Iran participated in the pool stages of Division I.

The other four – Laos, Cambodia, India and Malaysia – were all seeded in Division II and, after defeating all of their opponents, Laos were crowned champions on Saturday.

This is India’s first ever Women’s rugby team and marks a big step in their rugby journey.

"First the Indian men's team participated in an international competition in 1998," said Aga Hussain, vice-president of Rugby India.

"It is after 11 years that the first Indian women's team is doing likewise. It is a very important day for us."

The inclusion of all the new teams participating for the first time, demonstrated the growth of the Women’s Game in the region and the tournament showcased a lot of exciting rugby and talent over the two days.

Singapore completed the list of trophy winners, after they edged a tight Bowl final against Iran 10-7.

France continue their European rampage

One week after having carried of the second tournament in Athens, France did it again in Split (Croatia) on the Adriatic Sea side. Les Bleus dominated easily the stage and were not bothered during these two days by their opponents, and comfortably defeated closest challengers Italy in the final.

Thanks to this second success, the French are qualified for the Final Tournament, which will be played in Hanover (Germany) on July 11 and 12 2009.

Uganda win aids Safari Sevens preparation

THE Uganda rugby Sevens team beat G4s Pirates 19-0 to lift the Great Lakes trophy over the weekend. Lawrence Wakabi scored two tries, Daniel Chanowira one while Benon Kizza converted twice to seal the score for the Cranes, which proved a useful warm-up for the Kenya Safari Sevens from June 19 -21.

Coach Ronnie Lutakome said the event, hosted by Entebbe Mongers, had helped test the team’s fitness levels and identify areas to improve.

Entebbe mayor Steven Kabuye, who was the chief guest, commended the Uganda Rugby Union for extending the sport to his area.

“I didn’t know that rugby is played in the area till today. I am surprised girls also play the physical game,” Kabuye said and contributed sh100,000 to the Mongers.

The win came off the back of the Ugandans win in the Bowl at Tangiers Sevens a couple of weeks earlier.