The 74th Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby 7s concluded on 3rd November, with the mighty Fijians of Daveta holding the Ablitt Cup aloft on a balmy evening on the historic Padang under floodlights.
(Photo Credit. Alex Goh )
It was a memorable final, a fitting close to a festival of rugby that now encompassed three tournaments over two weekends, with the panoramic Padang the backdrop. Kudos to the ground staff at the Singapore Cricket Club for performing a near miracle in transforming what was a dirt patch a mere 8 weeks before into a spectacular playing surface for both players and spectators.
First time visitors to the tournament, The Lloyd Mcdermott Rugby Development team impressed everyone with their passion and skill as they marched to the final, up against a returning Daveta side. Our long time friends from Fiji had taken a break in 2022, and had returned in 2023 looking to reclaim their title. They seemed to have hardly broken a sweat on their way to the final, but a dead rubber the Ablitt Cup Final was not. It was a great game from both teams, showing skill, flair and some hard nosed rugby. In the end, the Ablitt Cup (replica) was back on the plane to Fiji, with Daveta conquering the tournament once again.
All in all, 16 quality teams from across the globe, from old friends to new ones converged on the Padang for one weekend, joining local and regional academy and school teams. It was a memorable festival, with record sales at the bar and some really good rugby on the pitch.
The stage is thus set for the Diamond Edition of one of the world's Oldest Rugby 7s event. After the birth place of 7s in Scotland, few can argue there no other a memorable place to watch and play in the heart of the Lion city.
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