28th Annual Newport Sevens 2013
Crusaders are sevens stars at Newport
Daionic Crusaders were the winners of the 28th annual 2013 Newport Sevens as they won all their group matches before comfortably winning their semi-final and then shrugging off the challenge of a strong Flamingos’ team to claim the Glyn and Penny Rees Memorial Cup.
Potential showed
With seven teams in contention, the matches were played in two groups, with the top two teams from each section making the semis – and Daionic Crusaders, who were well led by Crymych points machine Rhys Davies, showed their potential as they beat Mighty Mutants by four tries to two in their first match, slammed Newport 11-0 and edged home by the only try against the Flamingos, who also moved through as they beat Newport 12-0 and the Mighty Mutants 4-3.
Sailors start well but sink
In the other half of the draw the Jolly Sailors served notice of their intent as they beat Bwsees 7-1 and the Mighty Ninjas 8-1, with Aberystwyth-based Bwsees joining them by dint of a narrow 2-1 win over the Ninjas.
But the Sailors went off the boil in the semi-finals as they lost 7-4 to the Flamingos, with the Crusaders beating Bwsees 4-1 to set up the final.
Girls’ game to set up final
Prior to the final there was an entertaining game of sevens provided by Whitland and Cardigan girls’ teams, which the former won by five tries to two, whilst Bwsees reversed their earlier heavy defeat by the Jolly Sailors to win the Plate Final by 6-5, with Fraser Watson ending up with ten ties from four matches with the Burton-based Jolly Sailors.
Value for victory
The Daionic Crusaders were good value for victory over the Flamingos by four tries to two, with somn3 superb rugby from both teams before Crusaders’ skipper Rhys Davies received the splendid trophy from Huw Williams to round off a highly successful 28th Annual Barbarians Sevens organised by Newport (Pembs) RFC.
Section Matches
Mighty Mutants 2 Daionic Crusaders 4
Flamingos 12 Newport 0
Disco Ninjas 1 Bwsees 2
Mighty Mutants 3 Flamingos 4
Daionic Crusaders 11 Newport 0
Jolly Sailors 7 Bwsees 1
Mighty Mutants 8 Newport 1
Daionic Crusaders 1 Flamingos 0
Disco Ninjas 1 Jolly Sailors 8
Semi-Finals:
Daionic Crusaders 4 Bwsees 1
Jolly Sailors 4 Flamingos 7
Third and Fourth Placed Play-off:
Jolly Sailors 5 Bwsees 6
Girls Under 15 Match:
Whitland 5 Cardigan 2
Glyn & Penny Rees Memorial Cup Final:
Flamingos 2 Daionic Crusaders 4 (Tony Pratt – Referee)
Referees:
Tony Pratt; Colin Phillips; John Griffith; Andrew Thomas; Eirian Edwards
PHOTOS:
Winners Daionic
Daionic skipper Rhys Davies receives the trophy
Player of the Tournament - Alex Humphrey
Jolly Sailors - went off the boil
Pictures by Keith Bryant