Bay win Sevens title

[KiwiPie]

Bay of Plenty thrilled the home crowd at the Bay Engineers Supplies/Hose Supplies Rugby Sevens Tournament played at Blake Park Mount Maunganui on Sunday (3 January 2010) with their first tournament victory.

The Bay of Plenty Provincial Sevens, which attracted teams from the length of the North Island, was played out in front of a large crowd at the popular holiday venue.

The deciding game, in what has become the North Island Rugby Sevens championship, was fought out between defending champions Counties Manukau and Bay of Plenty.

The two sides made the final in contrasting circumstances. Counties ran away from Hawkes Bay in their semi-final to post a 31-5 victory, while Bay of Plenty had a good battle with a game Northland before prevailing 14-5.

Counties made the early running in the championship decider to lead 19-14 at the break. A Matt Hodson touchdown soon after the spell put the Bay side in front. While Counties came back with a converted try, the remainder of the second spell belong to the home team, who ran in three further tries to take hold of the trophy 38-26.

Bay skipper Ruki Tipuna led from the front, jinking his way past opposition players throughout the day. Matt Hodson announced his return from injury with two touchdowns, while Sam Cane who is one of the rising Bay stars also dotted down.

Counties player Sherwin Stowers, who topped the days try tally showed his class with two touchdowns in the final, while Siale Piutau and Bundi Aki also dotted down for the runner-up.

The Consolation final was a battle of attrition between Waikato and Wellington. The Waikato side posted their first try late in the first half - and then scored a second in the second spell to grind out a 10 nil victory.

The icing on the cake for the Bay of Plenty supporters was provided when the Bay of Plenty Invitation team took out the Plate final 34-28 against Taranaki.

2010 BOP Provincial Sevens Results
Bay of Plenty 38 (Matt Hodson 2, Scott Curry, Ruki Tipuna, Zion Nordstrom, Sam Cane tries; Tipuna 4con) Counties-Manukau 26 (Sherwin Stowers 2, Siale Piutau, Bundi Aki tries; Stowers 2con, Kaino Kaino con). HT: 14-19.

Semi-Finals: Bop 14 Northland 5; Counties Manukau 31 Hawkes Bay 5.
Consolation Final: Waikato 10 Wellington 0.
Plate Final: BOP Invitation 34 Taranaki 28.

[KiwiPie]

And we lose in the final at Queenstown being pipped by a late try to DS Waikato when it was locked at 14-14. 3 Bay players in the training squad for Titch - Zar Lawrence, Toby Arnold and a new man, Ruki Tipuna. Will Ruki be able to hack the Titch training sessions?

[Chiefy]

How come Zar Lawrence started a few games from the bench? Impact value? I don't like him at all but I would have thought a player of his experience would have been leading from the front every game...

[TCB]

And we lose in the final at Queenstown being pipped by a late try to DS Waikato when it was locked at 14-14. 3 Bay players in the training squad for Titch - Zar Lawrence, Toby Arnold and a new man, Ruki Tipuna. Will Ruki be able to hack the Titch training sessions?

What makes you think that Ruki can't handle the training sessions. - always doubters never any positives towards the lil soldier boy.

[sportboy]

What makes you think that Ruki can't handle the training sessions. - always doubters never any positives towards the lil soldier boy.

The lil soldier boy himself doubts it!!

[TCB]

And you know that for a fact do you! I definitley doubt it, you must be one of them old dudes who stand on the sidelines with too many opinions that are all wrong!

[TCB]

The lil soldier boy himself doubts it!!

- you should take your own advise into consideration!!!! But let me tell you Karma soon comes around to bite ya on the butt - big time!

[Hooroo]

You know sometimes when you're really embarrassed for someone but ya can't help but watch. I'm getting this feeling right now.

[KiwiPie]

And you know that for a fact do you! I definitley doubt it, you must be one of them old dudes who stand on the sidelines with too many opinions that are all wrong!

Sportboy is only 78 and he was right once, about 37 years ago.

[TCB]

You know sometimes when you're really embarrassed for someone but ya can't help but watch. I'm getting this feeling right now.

Well its not me who's embarrassed, I'm just a supporter of the lil soldier boy, who's glad he's back on the scene. Yes he's made mistakes, who hasn't. Hopefully yes he walks the line - Doubters always bring up the past - like they say we always remember the bad and never the good. Lets go Ruki - why can't we just be happy for the youngster for fighting his way back and getting selected into the squad. He's an exciting player to watch - small package that packs alot of TNT.

[KiwiPie]

Well its not me who's embarrassed, I'm just a supporter of the lil soldier boy, who's glad he's back on the scene. Yes he's made mistakes, who hasn't. Hopefully yes he walks the line - Doubters always bring up the past - like they say we always remember the bad and never the good. Lets go Ruki - why can't we just be happy for the youngster for fighting his way back and getting selected into the squad. He's an exciting player to watch - small package that packs alot of TNT.

Your mistake was to assume I wasn't pleased for Ruki, I am delighted for him and really hope he will be back in Bay colours in 2010.

[sportboy]

And you know that for a fact do you! I definitley doubt it, you must be one of them old dudes who stand on the sidelines with too many opinions that are all wrong!

And you're a dick because he told me that himself. So yes, it is fact that he wasn't looking forward to the camp. But what would I know - I must have just indulged in too much prune juice and Allbran. At least I get free public transport to head over to the sevens camp at the Mount today, where I'll be stoked to see Ruks finally given a shot...!

[TCB]

And you're a dick because he told me that himself. So yes, it is fact that he wasn't looking forward to the camp. But what would I know - I must have just indulged in too much prune juice and Allbran. At least I get free public transport to head over to the sevens camp at the Mount today, where I'll be stoked to see Ruks finally given a shot...!

Who's the dick!!! Loser, he's probably not the only one who isn't looking forward to the camp. I have no idea what it was you indulged in, maybe it was the puha that did it?
Lucky you, enjoy the bus ride some of us have jobs. Only thing I will agree upon is that he does gets a shot and makes the cut.

[KiwiPie]

And after all that - only Zar makes the squad for Wellington.

[TCB]

And after all that - only Zar makes the squad for Wellington.

Yes well even i could forsee that, and thats not cos he couldn't handle the training, I'm sure. A dam shame is what I say.

[KiwiPie]

Toby Arnold back into the Sevens squad - replacing the injured Sherwin Stowers.

New Zealand sevens team for Adelaide:
Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Fritz Lee (Counties Manukau), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Toby Arnold (Bay of Plenty), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Save Tokula (Waikato).

and from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news...ectid=10631629

Bay of Plenty's Solomon King was also unavailable for selection due to injury.