Debutants Scimitar Thunder crowned men’s winners at Old Penarthians 75th anniversary sevens

Debutants Scimitar Thunder were the men’s winners at Old Penarthians 75th anniversary sevens tournament, beating Empire 7s 33-7 in the final.

Debutants Scimitar Thunder were the men’s winners at Old Penarthians 75^th anniversary sevens tournament, beating Empire 7s 33-7 in the final.

Wales Deaf took the honours in the women’s section with a 22-12 victory over Senghenydd Sirens.

Nine teams, split into two groups, took part in the men’s section with losing semi-finalists Godfathers, winners of the previous three tournaments, having to settle for third place after beating Violet Vikings 31-24 in the Plate final.

Scimitar Thunder, who play on the international circuit, including the Amsterdam 7s, took the men’s Player of the Tournament honours, Fijian Yaw Afirifah-Ensah the pick of an outstanding team. Caitlan Moffatt, from Wales Deaf, was the Women’s Player of the Tournament.

Old Pens chairman Jeff Norman hailed a successful tournament. “Some of the feedback we’ve had from people described it as the best 7s tournament ever. Positive feedback all round. Obviously the weather helped. The weather gods were with us, and the bar takings surpassed all records.”

The only disappointment was a couple of teams pulling out, Voyagers, ever-present for more than 20 years, in the men’s section, and Lampeter Lunas, which meant only four teams contested the women’s section. “We will be looking to expand the women’s competition,” he said, “but it is difficult as there are not that many women’s teams around.”