There was a double cause for celebration after Welsh sides claimed the major men’s and women’s crowns at the annual Manchester Sevens on Saturday.
Carmarthen Warriors retained their crown to add to the titles already secured this season in Windsor and Majorca Beach while in the women’s category, Akuna Dragons stole the show to win the women’s title.
The Warriors didn’t have things all their own way en route to the final. They had to overcome Storm 7 who provided stubborn opposition before brushing them aside 14-5. In a high scoring encounter, the Warriors defeated Akuma Demons 34-21.
In the semi-final of the Cup the Warriors defeated Ellesmere Old Boys 29-14 to face off against Lancashire. With only two and half minutes it was deadlocked 19-19 but the Warriors’ Andrew Jones scored a superb try as Lancashire could only look on as runners up again, for the second year running.
Warriors’ captain, Arwel Davies, said: “We are on top form again in 2012 having won Windsor, Majorca Beach and now Manchester. Confidence is at an all-time high as we head to Richmond next Saturday to defend last year’s Rugby Rocks title.”
Akuma Dragons, a Welsh Invitational side acting as a Wales Development side, performed above expectations to claim the Women’s section to hit the ground running.
Meanwhile Wales Women found the going rather difficult in the Amsterdam 7s on Saturday. After a torrid day’s action, Wales finished bottom of their pool after defeats to England (24-0) and USA (41-5). A 12-12 draw with South Africa saw both sides complete pool play with one point but South Africa edged ahead of Wales on a superior points difference.
In an extremely tough competition, Wales eventually finished 10th after beating Germany on day two but narrowly losing to Scotland.
