SANDAKAN: Borneo Sevens defending champions Borneo Eagles failed a three-tournament winning streak when New Zealand Cavaliers bested them in this year's edition of the rugby tournament.
The home team faced an intense onslaught from the Cavaliers in the final match of the tournament with 19 points against Borneo Eagles' 12 points.
Players from both teams were well-matched in skills and speed and were tied with 12 points each at the end of the first half.
Playing for the Cavaliers, All Blacks legend Orene Ai'i, 45, who came out of retirement two years ago, said it was a heartful match between the Cavaliers and the Borneo Eagles in todays's final, which the young boys of his team could grow from and learn from and come back to try to win again.
Cavaliers captain Lewis Ormond said the Borneo Eagles were a good team and would definitely come back next year to defend their title.
Meanwhile, the women's category saw home team Borneo Flyers lift the challenge trophy after whipping Uzbekistan 40-0.
Flyers captain Dhys Faleafaga said she was proud of her team as they all worked very hard to defend the title.
“They (team members) made my job as captain very easy. I see so much potential here and I told them that I believe that they know how to play good rugby as they have good skills,” she said.
Each winning team of the men's and women's categories walked away gloriously with USD5,000 and the challenge trophy as well as medals presented by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
She also presented the runners-up of each category with USD2,000 and medals.
Speaking to reporters, Yeoh said she will work on the details of a sports matching grant for Borneo Sevens next year.
"Borneo Sevens is an annual event to attract tourists from various countries. Sports tourism is good for Sabah. My ministry will continue to give support to Borneo Sevens in efforts to attract more strong teams to particupate," she said.
