Northern Suburbs continue their stellar form winning the Central Coast Sevens
Photo: Claire Reed/Central Coast Sevens

by Brendan Bradford –

It was a performance worthy of the 79 great games that preceded it as Northern Suburbs continued their recent run of form to win the Central Coast Sevens with a 38-24 win over Fijian side Red Rock.

Norths add the CC7s Cup and $20,000 to the Premier Sevens trophy they won on Thursday, the Byron Bay Sevens title they claimed last weekend and the Bowral tournament two weeks ago. The only side to go through the tournament undefeated, Norths earned wins over Sunnybank (twice), Randwick and Island Breeze before facing an impressive Red Rock side in the final. The win also sees the Shoremen invited to the Bayleys Coral Coast Sevens in November.

Norths’ captain Jack Grant won Man of the Match in the final for a couple of clinical sideline conversions
Photo: Claire Reed/Central Coast Sevens.

Norths jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead in the first five minutes before Red Rock fought back gamely for a 28-17 scoreline shortly after the break. Two more tries either side of Red Rock’s fourth sealed the impressive 38-24 win.

There were stellar performances, but to single out individual players takes away from the tight knit unit this Shoremen side is.

“It really shows the way we bonded,” said double try scorer Sam Figg.

“We play for each other out there, we’re not the fastest guys or the biggest guys, but we play for each other and I think that really shows.”

Testament to the strong team bonds, new recruit Alex Samoa joined the club just three weeks ago, played his first tournament in Byron Bay and was a standout this weekend. He praised the side and added: “It’s just great to beat Fijians, because it’s their backyard game and they play it every day.”

Queensland side Tribe won the Women’s competition with a 21-7 win over Sunnybank.

Tribe jumped out to a 14-0 first half lead before Sunnybank hit back before the break for a 14-7 score. Sunnybank, the 2012 Champions, pressured through most of the second half but a Tribe runaway try with three minutes on the clock sealed the deal in the Queensland derby.

Manly lost a 14-12 thriller to Island Breeze in the Plate Final. On attack for the first two minutes the Marlins spilled the ball and allowed the Queensland based Fijian side a half-pitch runaway and a 7-0 lead. More patient build up from the Marlins saw Will Brame score next to the posts and BJ Hartman levelled the score with the conversion. A yellow card just before half time didn’t help Manly’s cause but they held on and dominated most of the second half until Island Breeze broke the deadlock with a runaway try with two minutes on the clock.

With the final siren gone, Manly conjured a great team try in the right corner, but Brian Sefanaia splayed the difficult conversion attempt wide.

Brisbane Fijians took out the Ball Final against Southern Districts
Photo: Claire Reed/Central Coast Sevens

In another thriller, Northern Suburbs lost  the Women’s Plate final 12-7 to The Mamas. End to end stuff right to the final whistle, Norths had a great tournament but just couldn’t find the winning score at the death.

Earlier an injury depleted Southern Districts side went down 45-5 to the Brisbane Fijians in the Ball Final while New Zealand team Bay of Plenty won the Women’s Ball Final, beating Te Whanau 33-12. A remarkable feat considering most of the Bay of Plenty team are still at school.

Fijian Side Ovalau won the Boot and Sydney Fiji Ranadi won the Women’s Boot final.

A special mention must go to organiser Craig Morgan and his team of volunteers. Craig works full time and doesn’t get paid for his effort to stage the tournament – although the precision organisation and attention to detail suggests otherwise. Congratulations Craig, your volunteers and all the teams on a great tournament.

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Men’s Winners:

Cup – Norths

Plate – Island Breeze

Ball – Brisbane Fijians

Boot – Ovalau

Women’s Winners:

Cup – Tribe

Plate – The Mamas

Ball – Bay of Plenty

Boot – Sydney Fiji