The Jubilant Nawaka Team
Full Results and Match Reports
Melrose Prepares for the Sevens
The Jubilant Nawaka Team |
Nawaka brought their own brand of South Seas magic to the Bell’s Melrose Millennium Sevens at the Greenyards.
The Fijians rattled in 160 points in four ties with winger Norman Ligairi scoring 6 tries and 18 conversions. In a thrilling final Nawaka saw off Christchurch of New Zealand by 26 points to 10, with two tries by Eroni Matanitobua.
Nawaka raced into a 12-0 lead with tries from Lalai Driu and Ligairi. Darryl Cochrane, who was named Man of the Tournament, and Jed Fraser cut the gap before Matanitobua struck.
 The Runners-Up Christchurch |
The Fijians had a generally easy passage to the final defeating Peebles in round two by 52-0, and then disposing of Watsonians in the Quarter Finals, before seeing off the South African challenge of Stellenbosch in the semi's.
Stellenbosch were given a fright by Kelso in round two. Kelso kept in touch with a Graeme Cowe try converted by Graeme Aitchison, and only crunch tackling kept the South Africans in the tie. However, they had little trouble in seeing off Jed-Forest in the 1/4 final with two tries from Pierre Oosthuizen.
Other guest sides Villager, also from South Africa, Oxford University, and holders Gala all crashed out in their first tie in round two. Villager lost to surprise package West of Scotland, who succumb to Christchurch in the second semi-final.
Hosts Melrose also lost out in round two going down to local rivals Hawick. Hawick rescued the tie against Melrose, who led 26-14. Tries by Neil Douglas and Donald Hughes took the tie into extra-time, when Keith Davidson got the winner.
©2000 BorderNet Ltd and The Border Telegraph.
Report by Andrew Innes. Photographs by Mathew Tunnock.
Melrose RFC: Millennium Sevens Corporate hospitality - Melrose Sevens 1999
2000-04-10