A double victory

Success was doubly sweet for the College Rifles rugby club from New Zealand who won both the men’s and women’s Sevens in Heaven championship titles over the weekend.

The Rifles men’s team topped their Pool C round of games with only 7 points scored against them with grand finals opponents the Avatiu Eels second in the same pool.

Their placing in the pool put them straight into the Cup quarter finals against the star studded 2008 champions the Tauae Bulls.

It was a tough battle with the Rifles emerging 19-12 winners over the Bulls to face 2009 champions the Rebels in the Cup semi finals.

The Rifles managed to keep the Rebels to just one try and scoring two of their own including a conversion to win the match and book themselves a grand finals spot.

Their opponents the Avatiu Eels played outstanding rugby too by disposing of the tournament hotshots the Titikaveka Rehab Razorbacks 28-5 in the second Cup quarter finals and the Fijian Tabusoro side 17-7 in the Cup semi finals.

The Eels certainly made the Rifles work hard for their win but the Rifles were that much hungrier for the title in their second year of International Sevens on Rarotonga.

Adding to their celebrations after the tournament was the fact that the club’s women’s team had taken out the women’s competition Cup in their debut at Sevens in Heaven.

The Rifles faced competition hot favourites the Titikaveka Rehab Ravens in what was a hard fought match.

The Rifles stood their ground and defended their hearts out to stop the Ravens crossing the line.

They only needed one try against the Ravens and the Cup was theirs.

The Razorbacks won the plate over the Tauae Bulls 19-17 in a game that went right down to the wire while the Hastings Rugby and Sport women’s team won the plate against the T&M Crushers.

The Ngatangiia Flying Dragons beat the Hastings Rugby and Sport men 28-17 to win the bowl.

The crack-up women’s team the Waitakere Nesians played their best game in the bowl finals to win the trophy over the Napier Tech rugby team.

Outer island side Aitutaki took home the shield after thrashing the Melbourne Valley Reds 31-5.

Sevens in Heaven 2010 has outdone past international tournaments with high calibre players from New Zealand helping to provide great games and lift the standards – and providing a great excuse for people to get dressed up and let their hair down.