Warringah’s Sevens squad: Back L-R – Steve Mathews, Brad Dixon, Josh Holmes, Dave Feltscheer, Seb Wileman, Boyd Killingworth, Hamish Angus, Coach Haig Sare. Front L-R – Scott Bradley,
Josh Gillard, Michael Adams, Tui Tuisavali, Sireli Tagicakibau, Conrad Gillingham
Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com.au

by Paul Cook –

Warringah and Sydney University have joined Penrith as the three unbeaten qualifiers into the Sydney Premiers 7’s finals after topping the Northern and Southern pools respectively on Thursday night.

The Rats were boosted by the inclusions of former Super Rugby scrumhalf Josh Holmes, 2012 Ken Catchpole Medal winner Hamish Angus and Australian Sevens squad member Michael Adams and it proved to be a potent mix as they won all three matches on their home ground with aplomb, racking up 95pts and conceding only 15 at the other end.

Holmes’ performances in particular, coming off the back of a stellar club rugby season, had many onlookers scratching their heads as to his continued lack of involvement at the higher levels of rugby in Australia, be that in sevens or the full form of the game.

Josh Holmes was a standout for the Rats
Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com.au

Warringah will be joined in this week’s finals by Northern Suburbs, who lost to the Rats on the night but saw off both Manly and Gordon to finish as runners-up at Rat Park and maintain their sevens pedigree after winning the Bowral Sevens competition recently.

Meanwhile, down at Forshaw Park the Southern pool saw home side Southern Districts overcome Randwick and Eastern Suburbs for a runners-up spot as the likes of 2013 Shute Shield top point-scorer Rohan Saifoloi and the energetic and combative Luke Smart combined to ensure the Rebels will run out in front of their own crowd again in this Thursday’s finals.

However, they could do nothing to stop a clinical Sydney University side from topping the pool, 2013 Shute Shield top try-scorer Greg Jeloudev one of the main attractions as the Students bagged three wins from three and scored an impressive 104pts in the process.

In the women’s competition, it was the Northern Suburbs Redbacks who triumphed in the Northern pool, seeing off Warringah and a hastily combined Manly/Gordon team – the ‘Tartan Tunas’ – with successive wins to book their place in the finals where they will be joined by Rockdale, who proved too strong for Sydney University in their two match play-off at Forshaw Park.

So, six men’s teams and three women’s teams will be competing in the finals at Forshaw Park this coming Thursday with the first match scheduled for a 6pm kick-off. With the standard of sevens rugby already witnessed in the qualifiers and the array of talent on display such as Holmes, Angus, Jeloudev and Saifoloi, it promises to be a memorable and thrilling conclusion to the inaugural Premier 7s competition.

Entry is FREE so support club rugby and bring the family along for an evening of thrills, spills and plenty of tries. (see draw below)

Sydney Uni’s Stu Dunbar and 2013 Shute Shield top try scorer Greg Jeloudev on the attack
Photo: AFP Photography

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Results:

Northern Pool (held at Rat Park)

Warringah 42 – 0 Gordon

Northern Suburbs 14 – 7 Manly

Warringah 32 – 5 Northern Suburbs

Manly 24 – 21 Gordon

Warringah 21 – 10 Manly

Northern Suburbs 17 – 0 Gordon

Warringah and Northern Suburbs progress to the finals

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Southern Pool (held at Forshaw Park)

Sydney University 21 – 7 Southern Districts

Eastern Suburbs 25 – 12 Randwick

Southern Districts 33 – 10 Randwick

Sydney University 38 – 12 Eastern Suburbs

Southern Districts 34 – 0 Eastern Suburbs

Sydney University 45 – 14 Randwick

Sydney University and Southern Districts progress to the finals

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Women’s Northern Pool

Northern Suburbs 20 – 7 Warringah

Northern Suburbs 27 – 0 Manly/Gordon

Northern Suburbs progress to the finals

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Women’s Southern Pool

Rockdale 35 – 0 Sydney University

Rockdale 14 – 14 Sydney University

Rockdale progress to the finals