Vaiala Claim Vodafone Savai'i Sevens Title
Vaiala Ulalei lifting the trophy for the Vodafone Iva Savai'i Sevens tournament after defeating Tama Uli 19-17
Photo: Supplied
Vaiala Ulalei are this year's Vodafone 'Iva Savai'i Sevens champions after downing a strong Tama Uli side by 19 - 17 in what was truly an entertaining nailbiter of a final last weekend.
Due to a mistake from a kick off error by Vaiala that caused the ball to bounce into Tama Uli's dead ball line in the opening seconds of the first half, the Salelologa team almost capitalized on this mistake by Vaiala and almost scored a length-of-the-field try before losing the ball forward on Vaila's five meter line.
Tama Uli looked the stronger team in the opening half as they outmuscled Vaiala Ulalei with counter-rucks during breakdowns, which resulted in an easy try from ex Manu Samoa 7's rep Elisapeta Alofipo scoring an easy try for Tama Uli.
Tama Uli were able to get the ball once again from their own kick-off and scored another try through Enosa Auvaa, but both conversion attempts were unsuccessful for Tama Uli. With a minute remaining before the hooter sounded to signal half time, Tama Uli were ahead by 10 points to Vaiala's nil.
The 10-point-margin did not deter the Vaiala team as they clawed their way back into the game through their skipper and former Manu Samoa 7's halfback Alatasi Tupou, who used his experience to split two Tama Uli defenders and scored a wonderful try just before half time, with Vaiala's kicker converting Alatasi's try and putting the game at 10-7 going into half time.
At the beginning of the second half, Fuli Faafouina was able to steal the ball and ran 40 meters before passing the ball to Alatasi Tupou who was trailing behind him. Tupou avoided two Tama Uli defenders and dashed to the corner to score his second try of the match and give Vaiala the lead for the first time in the game 12-10.
The boys from Savai'i weren't down just yet as they got the ball and scored a try under the posts to take back the lead 17-12. With no time left on the clock, Vaiala had to compose themselves and produce a miracle to win the game, which they did when Fuli Faafouina Fuli broke the Tama Uli defence and threw an offload to Malu Falaniko who drew two defenders and passed it back to Fuli who was able to score in the corner, tying the game at 17-17.
It was up to veteran Alatasi Tupou to take the 2-point conversion from the corner and try to win it for his team. Tupou showed why he was once a regular on the World Sevens Series when he was able to successfully split the posts and seal the victory for his team in a truly epic final.