The Aussie Pearls women’s development team have emerged victorious from last weekend’s Coral Coast Sevens in Fiji after a nail-biting three point win in the final.
Facing Marist Sea Hawks in the final, the Pearls secured a 22-19 win with tries to Nikki Etheridge, Gemma Etheridge (2) and Maddie Elliot, while Katrina Barker helped keep the Australians in front kicking one conversion.
The Pearls went undefeated throughout the tournament, with some dominating performances in the pool stages, including a 21-5 win over Striders, 28-7 victory over Lady Babaas and a thumping 52-0 win over Pacific Two Blues.
The Pearls then went on to defeat Sunnybank 12-5 in the semi-final before defeating the Sea Hawks in the decider by a slender three points, 22-19.
The Aussie Thunderbolts were not as successful with the Men’s development side enduring a disappointing finish at the annual event.
The Thunderbolts finished the tournament as Plate finalists, unable to bring home any silverware after losing 24-7 to the Westfield Barbarians.
Undefeated in the pool stage after securing wins over Navosa Warriors, 31-5, Hideaway Hurricanes, 22-17, and Auckland Marist, 24-7, the men’s tournament unravelled in the elimination stages, with an initial loss to Naviti in the Cup quarter final 12-7.
The men managed to pull it together in the Plate semifinal defeating Tonga’s development side, Tonga Aoniu, 22-5 however could not continue their good form and fell 24-7 to Westfield Barbarians.
The Qantas Men’s Sevens and Qantas Women’s Sevens sides will return to international competition on 30 November when they travel to Dubai to compete in their respective World Series events.
Aussie Pearls for Coral Coast Sevens:
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1
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Shontelle Stowers
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2
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Alexandra Sulusi
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3
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Nikki Etheridge
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4
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Jessica Palmer
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5
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Cheryl McAfee (nee Soon)
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6
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Tricia Brown
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7
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Katrina Barker
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8
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Cobie-Jane Morgan
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9
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Emilee Cherry (C)
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10
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Gemma Etheridge
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11
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d’Arcy Sadler
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12
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Maddison Leslie Elliott
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Aussie Thunderbolts for Coral Coast Sevens
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1
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Nick Malouf
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2
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Will Miller
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3
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Jesse Parahi (C)
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4
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Peter Lee
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5
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Harry Parker
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6
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Cameron Clark
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7
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Allan Fa’alava’au
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8
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Greg Jeloudev
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9
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Jordan Tuapou
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10
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Con Foley
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11
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Pama Fou
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12
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Tom Pincus
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