Penrith halfback Solomona Silipa, pictured racing away in a Shute Shield game against the Two Blues, had big games in the Premier 7s on Tuesday night – Photo: www.seiserphotography.com

by Jim Davis –

Penrith Emus won their three matches of the Western pool of the Premier 7s played at Merrylands RSL Rugby Park on Tuesday evening. Their polished performance in defeating Eastwood, Parramatta and then West Harbour surprised the Emus President, Jim Hook who said,

“Ball control was outstanding and it is very difficult for the opposition to score in a Sevens game if they don’t have much of the ball. Terrific, sustained defense was the real key to Penrith’s wins. We are very happy to be in the finals.”

Penith winger Wilson Silipa
Photo: www.seiserphotography.com

The Emus’ halfback Solomona Silipa and his winger brother, Wilson had standout games in the three matches.

In the Women’s section, Parramatta (2013 Grand Finalists) blitzed Hunter and West Harbour winning their games 92 to 0. It will be interesting to see if they play Premiers Warringah in the finals.

With the top two sides in each Men’s pool progressing to the finals, Parramatta also go through after tipping out Eastwood on a count back. The Northern and Southern pools hosted by Warringah and Southern Districts will be played this evening (Thursday) from 6pm.

Warringah could prove a hurdle in the Men’s Northern pool at Pittwater Rugby Park tonight. Rugby News has been told the Rats squad consists of many first graders including halfback Josh Holmes, who had a wonderful Shute Shield season, scoring 15 tries. Also, an Australian Sevens representative is expected to play for the Rats.

The clash with Manly, winners of the recent Mudgee Sevens tournament, should be a cracker.

Josh Holmes on his way to scoring
another Shute Shield try for the Rats
Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com.au

Down at Forshaw, Southern Districts are set to have the Shute Shield top points scorer Rohan Saifoloi playing plus try-scoring flanker Luke Smart, who is built like a forward and runs like a back.

ARU officials who are talent spotting at the Premier 7s matches could be making plenty of notes.

Played on a round-robin basis with 3 pts for a win, 2 pts for a draw and 1pt for a loss, the top two men’s teams at the end of each night’s qualifiers will go through to compete in a six team finals night next week while the top women’s team in each pool will proceed to the three team finals evening. Both finals series will take place at Forshaw Park next Thursday 24th October from 6pm onwards.

Entry to all venues is FREE so bring the family along for an evening or two of fast flowing rugby with thrills, spills and plenty of tries.

RESULTS:

Men’s Western Pool
West Harbour 12 defeated Parramatta 7
Penrith 22 defeated Eastwood 19
Penrith 21 defeated Parramatta 17
Eastwood 26 defeated West Harbour 5
Parramatta 25 defeated Eastwood 5
Penrith 17 defeated West Harbour 14

Women’s Western Pool
Parramatta 46 defeated West Harbour 0
Hunter 25 defeated West Harbour 5
Parramatta 46 defeated Hunter 0

Here’s the draw for tonight’s remaining Premier 7s qualifiers: