Wellington sides qualify for Sevens Nationals

The Hawke's Bay men's side defended their Central Sevens title, after beating Wellington 26-24 with the last play of the game in their semi-final and then defeating Taranaki 24-19 in the final.

The Wellington’s men’s and women’s Sevens teams both missed out on making the finals of today's Central Region qualifiers in Palmerston North, but both will play in the National Sevens in Rotorua in January.

Needing to finish inside the top five, the Wellington’s men’s side qualified by finishing second in their pool. They were desperately unlucky not to make the final, losing to tournament winners Hawke’s Bay 24-26 with the last play of their semi-final.

Hawke’s Bay went on to beat Taranaki 24-19 in the final in blustery conditions after opening up a 24-0 early in the second half. Hawke’s Bay defended the Central title they won last year.

Poverty Bay grabbed the fifth men's spot on offer by snapping a 12-12 deadlock with a try on fulltime to beat Horowhenua-Kapiti 17-12.

The Wellington’s women’s team missed out on the final, but qualified in third for the nationals ahead of Hawke’s Bay women whom they beat 19-5 in Pool play. ?Manawatu reversed a 10-15 loss to Taranaki earlier in the day to beat them six tries to two, 40-14 in the women’s final.

Manawatu’s Selicia Winiata was the individual star of the women’s section, scoring 10 of her side’s 19 tournament tries. Winiata scored a hat-trick in the final over Taranaki.

The third and final regional qualifying tournament for the Nationals is in Hamilton next weekend.

Tournament results at a glance:

Pool Play Results
Wellington 32 - Poverty Bay 0
Taranaki Women 15 - Manawatu Women 10
Wellington Women 19 - Hawke’s Bay Women 5
Taranaki 39 - Horowhenua-Kapiti 0
Hawke’s Bay 38 - Evergreens 0
Manawatu 10 - Poverty Bay 7
Wellington 21 - East Coast 12
Manawatu Women 36 - Wellington Women 0 ?
Hawke’s Bay Women 19 - Taranaki Women 14
Horowhenua-Kapiti 14 - Evergreens 10
Hawke’s Bay 14 - Taranaki 10
East Coast 17 - Poverty Bay 17
Manawatu Women 17 - Hawke’s Bay Women 12
Manawatu 19 - Wellington 17
Taranaki Women 19 - Wellington Women 10
Horowhenua Kapiti 19 - East Coast 14
Poverty Bay 40? - Evergreens 14

Men’s Pool A: 1. Hawke’s Bay 2. Taranaki 3. Horowhenua Kapiti 4. Evergreens
Men’s Pool B: 1. Manawatu, Wellington, Poverty Bay, East Coast
Women’s Pool: 1. Manawatu, 2. Taranaki, 3. Wellington, 4. Hawke’s Bay

5th v 6th Qualifying Final: Poverty Bay 17- Horowhenua-Kapiti 12

Women’s final: Manawatu 40 - Taranaki 14

Men’s semi-final 1: Hawke’s Bay 26 - Wellington 24

Men’s semi-final 2: Taranaki 28 - Manawatu 15

Men’s final:? Hawke’s Bay 24- Taranaki 19

Men’s semi-finals, final and women’s final match summaries

Men’s Final: Hawke’s Bay 24 - Taranaki 19

Hawke’s Bay won the opening kick-off and Tom Iosefo streaked away to score the first try of the final, converted by Ihaia West. Hawke’s Bay 7-0.

Taranaki were rocked again when Trent Boswell-Wakefield galloped up the same track as Iosefo, converted by West. Hawke’s Bay 14-0.

West saved the day defensively after a kick and chase by Beaudein Waaka. Liam McBride charged through a hole, but couldn’t quite link up with Lachlan Boshier and Taranaki were denied again.

Hawke’s Bay counterattacked and Trinity Spooner-Neera dived over in the far corner for the Magpies. Halftime: Hawke’s Bay 19-0.

Hawke’s Bay scored their fourth try early in the second half. Hawke’s Bay 24-0.

From the kick-off, Waisake Naholo scooted around to score Taranaki’s first try. Hawke’s Bay 24-7.

Hawke’s Bay pressed, but Taranaki held on and streaked back up field through Naholo. He was brought to ground but McBride scored in the corner. Hawke’s Bay 24-12.

Iopu Iopu burnt off the Magpies defenders to score a consolation try for Taranaki.? Final score: Hawke’s Bay 24-19

Women’s Final: Manawatu 40 - Taranaki 14

After a willing start, Manawatu effected a turnover and Chrystal Mayes sprinted away to score under the posts. Manawatu 7-0.

After a kick and chase into the corner Selicia Winiata took a quick tap penalty and ducked over to score their second try. Manawatu 14-0.

Hayley Hutana scored a solo try for Manawatu, taking on her marker on the outside. Manawatu 21-0.

Taranaki replied with their first try, to captain Lauren Burgess after a burst up the centre. Halftime: Manawatu 21-7.

Shakira Baker made a telling run up the sideline, leading to a try for Manawatu to Sarah Goss just after the turnaround. Manawatu 26-7.

Halfback Kristina Sue passed inside to Winiata and she scored Manawatu’s next try. Manawatu 33-7.

From a penalty, Manawatu went close to crashing over in the corner. Quick recycling saw Winiata score untouched. Manawatu 40-7.

Michaela Blyde raced away to score Taranaki’s second try. Fulltime: Manawatu 40-14.

Men’s semi-final 1: Hawke’s Bay 26 - Wellington 24

Top qualifier from Pool A Hawke’s Bay and second placed Pool B finisher Wellington met in the first semi-final.

Wellington scored the first try of the semi-final after a big break up the middle by Vaea Fafita, finished off by Tomasi Alosio. Wellington 5-0.

Hawke’s Bay replied with a try to Trinity Spooner-Neera after a damaging run by Penikolo latu. Hawke’s Bay 7-5.

Sosi Tuimavavae scorched clear to score Wellington’ second try. Wellington 10-7.

After making a try-saving tackle, Wellington captain Hayden Schrijvers burst through to set up their third try of the first half to Greg Foe. Halftime: Wellington 17-7.

Early in the second half Ihaia West ran 50 metres for Hawke’s Bay, setting up a try to Samoans Sevens representative Tom Iosefo under the posts. Wellington 17-14.

Trent Boswell-Wakefield picked up a wide pass to score again for the Magpies. Hawke’s Bay 19-17.

Wellington held their patience and constructed a long-range movement, leading to a try to replacement Matt Peni. Wellington 24-19.

With time up, West ghosted up the middle and set up an equaliser to Neria Fomai.? West coverted. Hawke’s Bay 26-24.

Men’s semi-final 2:? Taranaki 28 - Manawatu 15

Top qualifier from Pool B Manawatu and second placed Pool A finished Taranaki met in the second semi-final.

Taranaki struck through Beaudein Waaka who raced up the middle after captain Warwick Lahmert made a turnover near halfway. Taranaki 7-0.

Manawatu hit back through Sean Curry after deceptive break by former NZ Sevens player George Tilsley. Taranaki 7-5.

This followed a try to Newton Tudreu for Manawatu. Manawatu 10-7.Jackson Ormond showed strength and commitment to score Taranaki’s second try. Halftime Taranaki 14-10.

Iopu Iopu handed Lewis Ormond a wonder pass in the tackle and the latter ran away to score first after halftime. Taranaki 21-10.

Iopu was involved again in setting up a try to 2013 Blues Super Rugby player Waisake Naholo. Taranaki 28-10.

Trudeau scored his brace for Manawatu. Taranaki 28-15.

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