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The inaugural Abbotsford 7s tournament was won by a Kenyan side which included the leading try scorer in this year’s IRB Sevens Series, Collins Injera, edging out Team Canada 12-10 in the final.

In the Semi-Finals, Kenya beat OPS 19-0 and Team Canada overcame the West Indies 14-12. Earlier in the day the West Indies won their opening two pool matches 24-15 against the Young Bucks and 17-14 against Burnaby, before losing to fellow semi finalists OPS 26-22 and Team Canada.

The Most Valuable Player in the Elite Division fittingly went to Injera who helped his side with six tries in their five matches. Injera has already expressed his desire to come back next year to continue his and the tournament’s success.

“It was a great tournament and we were very impressed with the level of hospitality laid on by the Abbotsford Rugby Club. We definitely plan to return next year," said Injera.

In the domestic division, Canada Alumni beat Lionheart 19-12, with Dan Harlow of Canada Alumni winning the MVP award thanks to an incredible 12 tries in five matches.

The hometown Abbotsford Rugby Football Club had entered a team in the domestic division, but they were drafted into the elite division days before the tournament as a spot became available.

Despite losing all three of their pool matches including a 33-0 defeat to the Kenyan side, they were able to take a lot of experience from the tournament and will want to follow in the footsteps of one of Abbotsford’s products who turned out for Team Canada side, Bryn Keys.

“Credit to them,” said Keys. “They (the Kenyan side) had a great tournament. We had a good group of young guys who performed pretty well alongside the veterans today, and to compete with that Kenyan team is pretty impressive.”

Next year, organisers plan to expand the event to a two-day tournament with even more international teams. 

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