NORTH ISLAND MARIST SEVENS -
Napier, 21 September 2002

The 2002 North Island Marist Sevens tournament held on 21 September at Tremain Field saw the 2001 DB Draught Cup winners Hutt Old Boys Marist Green once again take out the North Island title and against the same opponents and Wellington rivals Marist St Pats. The benefits of playing in the Wellington RFU's Ambassador Sevens series showed through in the level that these sides displayed.

The worth of fielding 3 mens (and a womens side) in the tournament payed off and Hutt OBM were in with a show of being in the 'money' from the word go. This concentration of Hutt teams saw all three making the Cup semi finals. Eventual winners HOBM Green beat HOBM White 43-0, while in the other semi MSP cleaned up HOBM 28-7.

In the final a 10-7 halftime lead ended at full time HOBM Green 17 MSP 12.

In the Plate - Napier OBM Shamrocks won their way directly in to the final. In the other semi Wanganui Marist beat Napier OBM Green 22-14, setting up the final between Wanganui and Napier Shamrocks which saw the home side taking out the game 21-5.

The Womens section being hardier persons, played two rounds of pool play due to only three Marist teams (Hutt OBM, Greerton Marist and Napier OBM) entered and the late withdrawl of another local Hawke's Bay side. Visitors HOBM took out the prizemoney beating the Napier 'rookies' 31-0.

The Tournament Team selected by NZM stalwart Mike Donoghue and Hawke's Bay 7's selector/coach Tom Blake was - Ena Fa-atau (MSP), Pio Savili (MPS), Sam Rasche (MSP), Dan Stamp (MSP), Steve Harrison (Napier OBM), Pedro Starr (HOBM) Kais Afoa (HOBM), Joff Manu (HOBM), Hale Teofili (HOBM), Danny Pavihi (HOBM).

The Tournament team were issued with special edition polo shirts.

Player of the Tournament - Joff Manu.

Other Awards: Top Try scorer - 10 Michael McCormick (Karamu) An invitation team from Karamu High, who filled in a vacant spot due to a late withdrawl of 2000 winners Auckland Marist.

The talent of these young players who intially were daunted pre kick-off of the size of some of their upcoming opponents, turned on some brilliant running rugby, winning all three of the their pool games (vs Greerton 35-0, Napier Green 37-7 and HOBM Red 26-12). The side was obviously well coached by our tournament co-selector and Karamu teacher Tom Blake. Note: The two invitation sides were not elegible to proceed past pool play and they played off another game between themsleves.

Incidently the Player of the Tournament Joff Manu (HOBM) crossed for 9 tries.

Best Sporting Team - Wanganui Marist

Furthest Travelled Team(s) - Greerton Marist.

Players of the Day - Women: Greerton - Hemoata, Hutt OBM - Tia Sa, Napier - Ceri Edmonds.

Men: HOBM Green - Mike Kingsbeer, HOBM White - Brendan Jordan, HOBM Red - Greg Jordan, Wanganui - Hamish Cherry, Greerton - Andy Fahey, Hastings - Wayne Makris, Karamu - Chris Eaton, Eskview - Marcus Hemming, Napier Shamrocks - Tim Coull, Napier Green - Alex Macdonald, MSP - no name supplied but it would have to be 'the team' on the days performance.

Players of the Day were each issued with tournament T-Shirts.

click to enlarge 2002 DB DRAUGHT North Island Marist Sevens Team
Back row: Sam Rasch (MSP), Jonathan Manu (Hutt OBM), Hale Teofilo (Hutt OBM), Kaio Afoa (Hutt OBM)
Front: Palonga Pedro (Hutt OBM), Ene Fa'atau (MSP), Pio Savili (MSP), Steve Harrison Napier OBM), Dan Stemp (MSP).

click to enlarge Club President Gary Macdonald presenting the NI Marist DB Draught Cup to the winning captain Danny Pavihi (HOBM).
click to enlarge The winning HOBM team