Awarua place to be for sevens action

Although visiting teams picked up the main titles at the inaugural Awarua Park 7s tournament on Saturday, the event was hailed as a “fantastic day of sevens action”.

Moutere’s Pippa Andrews sets up a try for her winger Maiden Tupara at Awarua Park. Hannah Gillespie is in support.

Laurie McGlone, a member of the Moutere Rugby Club’s organising committee, said they “were really happy with how it went”.

“The number of teams that supported the event was fantastic … we have had plenty of positive comments about how it was run and we plan to make it an annual fixture.

Waitohi's Karlos Taurari prepares to fend off a Wanderers defender.

“The standard of footy across all divisions was excellent and it was great to see some players stand out who would otherwise not have been given the opportunity.”

Eighteen teams were involved - six in division one, eight in division two and four in the women’s grade, with Laurie suggesting there is room for more in 2021.

Moutere playmaker Tristian Taylor on his way to a try against eventual champions Marist.

The men’s division one title was won by the slick combination from Marist, who were unbeaten in pool play, beat local side Renwick 29-10 in the semifinal, then downed Kahurangi 24-19 in a thrilling final. Kahurangi beat home team Moutere 33-0 in the other semi.

The other Marlborough-based side involved, Waitohi, downed Wanderers 39-7 in pool play but narrowly missed a place in the semis.

The women’s title was taken out by Waimea, who also won three-from-three in round robin play. They accounted for Riwaka 34-19 in the final.

In men’s division two, Stoke ran away with the title, downing Marist 33-0 in the decider. In the semis Marist beat Valley Stags 27-26 while Stoke downed local team Old Boys 21-7. Two other local sides, Awatere and Moutere, competed in this division but were unable to pick up a win.