Christchurch beat Apia to win Marist Sevens

By Thomas Airey 17 February 2019, 12:00AM

Christchurch Women’s Rugby lifted the Glen Feaunati Memorial Cup as the second ever champions of the Marist International Sevens Tournament after their 19-0 win over Apia Maroons in the final yesterday.

They overcame last year’s winners Auckland Samoa in the semifinal with a 17-12 in sudden death extra time.

Heavy rain began to fall just before the final, which left the field in very difficult condition with mud and puddles everywhere.

This made for a messy game, with neither team able to hold onto the ball for long periods.

Christchurch’s tight defence gave them the advantage in territory though, which they eventually turned into points with the only try of the first half.

Captain Cassie Siataga scored out wide, diving on the loose ball over the goal line after she had kicked it off the ground.

Christchurch carried their 5-0 lead into the second half, and scored again after another kick through the Apia line.

Easter Savelio ran onto the ball setting up Tiare Faavae for a try under the posts, to extend the lead to 12.

Chelsea Bremner put the game all but out of reach when she crashed over from close range.

After the game, Christchurch wing Becky Davidson was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

She said the final was a very hard game to play.

“Different gameplan, I’ve never played sevens in the rain before so I found it very difficult.”

She said it was hard to run, especially in contrast to previous games where she had found space out wide and scored some tries.

“When your boots are filled with water, and the ground is puddles it makes it so much harder.”

Davidson said they’ve grown as a team this weekend, which got them through the final.

“We’ve all got each others backs, we all wanted it as bad as each other.”

“It’s awesome, I love this team.”

She said it was the perfect way to cap a great trip to Samoa.

“We’ve given quite a few [coaching clinics], we’ve donated some boots away, we’ve given away sports tops to Savaii.”

By Thomas Airey 17 February 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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