CAIRNS BULA 7S FAST AND FABULOUS
THE play was fast, furious and fabulous when 20 teams took to the field at the Bula Rugby Invitational on the weekend.
Teams from FNQ and NSW lined up, with Sydney’s Bula Brothers and Veivanu teams taking out the Plate and the Cup divisions respectively.
But local teams also showed courage and finesse on the field with some excellent play.
Fijian Community Association FNQ president Ili Cava said the rugby sevens tournament was a huge success with teams playing in the four pools for the Men’s Cup, Bowl and Plate and the Women’s Cup.
In the women’s competition, the Aunties won the Cup and $7000, with runner-up Barron Trinity claiming $2000.
In the men’s competition the Cup was worth $10,000 to the winners, with runners-up scoring $3000.
The Plate winners took home $2000 and the Bowl winners $1000.
In the men’s competition, the Plate was won by Sydney Bula 7s who overcame the Cairns Wanderers 19-14.
The Bowl winner was Cairns Methodist Youth who defeated Mareeba Fijian Barbarians 5-0, while the Cup was won by Veivanu from Sydney who soundly showed last year’s champion team Torres Strait Balas the door in a sensational 21-5 result.
Cava said the tournament, which was played on Saturday at Ivanhoe Rugby Club in Smithfield and on Sunday at Jones Park, was part of 52nd anniversary celebrations for Fiji’s Independence.
It was the second time the now-annual event had been held. While the games were intense, the vibe of the spectators was chilled, he said.
Now there are plans to increase the team numbers for 2023.
“Last year we had six men’s teams and this year we had 16,” Cava said.
“Again we had four women’s teams, same as last year, and we would like to increase this next year.”