Samoa clinched the spoils at the Hong Kong Sevens courtesy of a scintillating 24-21 comeback victory over New Zealand in the final of the showpiece of the abbreviated game.

The islanders came from 14-0 down to claim the title – and the lead in the World Sevens Series.

More to follow…

Samoa earlier beat England in a superb semi-final 28-24 to keep alive their hopes of winning a third straight World Series tournament.

In the other semi-final, Kurt Baker of New Zealand scored four tries to put the crowd’s favourite side out of contention.

In the lesser competitions the hosts delighted the 40,000 strong crowd by winning the Shield final. Australia saw off South Africa to win the Plate, and Canada took the Bowl with a fine win over Wales.

CUP

Samoa were the first team through to the Cup final with a pulsating victory against England, 28-24. Mikaele Pesamino scored twice as the islanders came from behind against the English, who clearly responded to the passionate ex-pat crowd at the Hong Kong Stadium.

In the other semi-final, Kurt Baker of New Zealand scored four tries to put the crowd’s favourite side out of contention.

Earlier the Samoans came back from a 7-5 half time deficit to overhaul the USA, Fa’osiliva, Otto and Pesamino all scoring.

England had won a breathless match against Australia 26-19, James Rodwell outstanding and then Tom Powell scoring at the death.

Defending champions Fiji held on against a late onslaught to deny South Africa and New Zealand progressed through to the semis with victory against Kenya.

Thirty World Series points are up for grabs for the Cup winners here, which could be crucial in deciding this year’s eventual overall winners.

Cup Final:

M60: Samoa 24-21 New Zealand

Cup semi-finals:

M56: Fiji 21-33 New Zealand
M55: Samoa 28-24 England

Cup quarter-finals:

M48: Kenya 12-21 New Zealand
M47: Fiji 14-12 South Africa
M46: England 26-19 Australia
M45: Samoa 24-7 USA

PLATE

Australia beat South Africa in a Plate final for the third time this season to claim 16 Series points and maintain fourth place in the race for the overall title.

Robbie Coleman two two tries, one in each half, to inspire the Wallaby Seven to a 12-5 victory over the Boks, for whom Sampie Mastriet scored the only try.

Earlier, both sides lost closely in their respective Cup quarter finals, Australia against England at the death and South Africa against Fiji, but they recovered well to beat USA and Kenya to reach the final.

The losing Cup quarter-finalists dropped to the Plate with a chance to take 16 points towards the World Series and in the final Australia play South Africa.

Both sides lost closely in the Cup quarter-finals, Australia against England at the death and South Africa against Fiji, but they recovered well to beat USA and Kenya respectively.

Plate Final:

M59: Australia 12-5 South Africa

Plate semi-finals:

M54: South Africa 19-12 Kenya
M53: USA 12-21 Australia

BOWL

Canada scored five tries to Wales’s three to clinch the Bowl title and take five points towards the World Series.

Morgan Williams’s side first beat Tonga and then edged Portugal before getting the better of the Welsh 35-19.

Thyssen de Goede and Sean Duke top scored for the Canadians with four tries apiece.

Canada and Wales won through to the final of the Bowl with wins against Portugal and Scotland. The Canadians edged the Portuguese 26-24 in a superb match, while the Welsh made lighter work of the Scots in winning 26-7.

Earlier Canada beat Tonga and Wales came from behind to beat Argentina in a replay of last year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens final.

Bowl Final:

M58: Wales 19-35 Canada

Bowl semi-finals:

M52: Canada 26-24 Portugal
M51: Wales 26-7 Scotland

Bowl quarter-finals:

M44: Portugal 17-7 France
M43: Canada 26-0 Tonga
M42: Scotland 12-10 Japan
M41: Argentina 12-17 Wales

SHIELD

Hong Kong delighted the 40,000 home crowd by winning all three of their games on the final day to capture the Shield title, their silverware on home soil for nine years.

Dai Rees’ team saw off local rivals Korea and then Italy, before producing a sparkling performance to beat Russia 19-17.

Rowan Varty top scored for the home side with six tries over the three days.

The local favourites first beat local rivals Korea 31-14 and then Italy at the death 26-19.

Russia were also impressive in first seeing off China 31-17 and then Zimbabwe 17-14, but they were unable to reel in the locals after allowing them to explode out of the blocks in the final.

Shield Final:

M57: Russia 17-19 Hong Kong

Shield semi-finals:

M50: Hong Kong 26-19 Italy
M49: Zimbabwe 14-17 Russia

Shield quarter-finals:

M40: Chinese Taipei 12-45 Italy
M39: Hong Kong 31-14 Korea
M38: China 17-31 Russia
M37: Zimbabwe 43-12 Thailand

With thanks to the IRB