Sevens fest thrills
Mogan Segadavan
THE Sunridge Village Sevens rugby festival at Framesby High School will be bigger and better next year.
Twelve schools from across the metro and beyond participated in the inaugural tournament earlier this month with Despatch pocketing the winner's purse of R15000 after beating hosts Framesby 15-10 in a pulsating final.
Former Blitzbokke and current assistant coach of the national U18 Sevens team who was a guest at the tournament was impressed with the overall standard although most of the schools were missing. Those that did participate did not field their best players as they have just returned from tough tournament.
"We are thrilled with the response from the schools and their supporters. We will definitely be back next year," said sponsor and chief organiser Kyle Marshall.
"Sevens rugby is growing in popularity and is now an Olympic sport. IRB Sevens is getting bigger around the world every year, and this is where the Sunridge Village Sevens Festival would like to fit. We want to give schools in the Eastern Cape a platform to play top class Sevens and give them the chance to be noticed at national level, while having fun and playing for great prizes we have to offer."
In the finals Despatch and Framesby were level at 5-5 at halftime. In the second half Despatch stepped up a gear to lead 15-5 with two tries.
The hosts fought back to reduce the deficit (15-10) but Despatch held on to claim the winner's cheque.
In an equally entertaining plate final Brandwag beat Cillie 31-24. In the shield final Muir beat Linkside 19-12. It was an excellent performance by Linkside, considering they are not a rugby-playing school
Perris Vosloo from Kirkwood won the player of the tournament award.