Marist St. Joseph’s have done it.
The home team overcame a determined Moata’a side, 36-14, to secure the 27th Vailima Marist Sevens title at Lotopa last evening, after three days of entertaining Sevens rugby, featuring the best players in Samoa.
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The win rewarded supporters of the Marist club who have been turning up to the park for the past three days to support their teams – including the eventual champions.
On the home stretch in the final, captain Afa Aiono was inspirational, leading his young troops who were clinical and knew when to apply the killer punches.
They were up against a much more experienced Moata’a outfit, superbly led throughout the tournament by another veteran, Lolo Lui.
But cometh the hour cometh the man and for Marist, he was none other than the player of the tournament, Anthony Tailua. The young man was solid throughout the tournament and his form would place him among the top names for the national team. Yesterday though was about Marist. And after taking a 14-7 lead in the first half, Marist never looked back in the second stanza.
Their tries came from Danny Tusitala, Tupu Ulufale, Fale Iosefo and Tailua.
“It was a very tough tournament and credit to Moata’a for a tough final,” Aiono said. “We’re extremely happy of course to have won it but we couldn't have done it without the support of so many people.
“I want to thank the Marist Sports Club, the President, the Organising Committee, our sponsors and all our supporters.”
In acknowledging Moata’a, Aiono said the final was a great game of rugby played with very good spirits by both teams. The Marist win yesterday featured another first. The team was managed by a female, To’omata Sita Leota.
For Lolo Lui and Moata’a, they were graceful in defeat.
Lui acknowledged the effort by his players and their supporters. He also congratulated Marist for winning and for organising what he said was a magnificent tournament.
“No two teams can win,” Lui said. “Today it was Marist’s turn. We are obviously disappointed because we would have liked to have gone all the way but well done to Marist.
“All we can is go back to the drawing board and build towards next year.”
Both finalists had to overcome some tough challenges in the semifinals to secure their spots. Marist St. Joseph’s defeated Auckland Marist Samoa, 19-14 in their semifinal while Moata’a ended the run of last year’s winner, Vailele, 17-7 to book a final showdown with the home team.
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