SAMUARI CUT LOOSE TO WIN WOMEN'S SEVENS ON GOLD COAST

Rugby Sevens, November 14: A non-stop 20 minutes from captain Cheryl Soon and the pace of Kristy Giteau proved the difference in International Samurai's 22-10 win over Brisbane's Eastsyde in today's women's Cup final at the Hyperion Gold Coast International Rugby Sevens.

Soon, captain of Australia's Wallaroos at the Women's World Cup, ran herself to a standstill and Giteau showed all the speed and skill out wide to race in for two of Samurai's four tries.

But the combined invitation team from Samurai had to work hard to overcome the rugged, determination of the defending champions.

Eastsyde were first to open the scoring through Cheyanne Campbell but it was Giteau who leveled the scores at half-time after a slick backline raid.

Rebecca Tavo made it 10-5 for the Samurai with a try just after half-time before Giteau showed all her speed out wide to cross from her second try of the match and her eighth for the tournament.

Samurai's Nicole Beck put the game out of reach for Eastsyde with the team's fourth try, with Tui Cope crossing for a consolation five-pointer on the bell for Eastsyde to make it a respectable score line.

Soon was quick to praise her team who only came together on Friday, when they gathered on the Gold Coast.

"Although some of the girls play together in the Wallaroos, we gelled together although the 10 minute halves were pretty tough," said Soon.

"The level of the Gold Coast Sevens just keeps getting better every year."

International Samurai 22 (K Giteau 2 tries, N Beck, R Tavo tries; C-J Morgan conv) d Eastsyde 10 (T Cope, C Campbell)