INTERNATIONAL players were on display at Warlingham's Sevens Heaven tournament in Hamsey Green on Saturday, but it was the home team who conjured up a cup-winning performance.
Not only did the Iceland national side compete but international players from Lithuania and Nigeria played for invitation sides at the event.
Fifteen teams competed for the Tim Osborne Cup and in the group stages were dominated by Warlingham Wizards, Saxons, Olaf's Axes and Voyagers with Old Midwives improving with each game.
In the semi-final of the Plate competition Voyagers and Beckenham overcame Cow Tipping Penguins and a gallant Old Midwives side respectively. The Plate final was a closely-fought battle but Beckenham ran out of steam in the latter stages and were beaten 42-15.
In the semi-final of the main event Wizards faced Saxons in a rerun of the Old Caterhamians' Sevens tournament final two weeks earlier. Saxons looked to be getting revenge but Warlingham came back to win by five tries to four.
In the other semi-final Olaf's Axes destroyed a very good Soy Galacticos 47-7.
The Cup final was a closely-fought physical battle with the huge vocal crowd giving the home side some advantage but the Axes countered at every opportunity and nerves were on edge. Man of the tournament, Wizards' centre Ben Wimble, scored two tries with the ubiquitous Tom Street and Joe McEvoy also getting on the scoresheet, Warlingham came out worthy winners 20-12.
A weary Wizards captain, Jon Osborne said: "There were some really strong sides out there and we had to dig deep to keep our noses in front in the knockout stages."
Yvonne Osborne presented the trophies and there was a very special poignant moment when she handed the Tim Osborne trophy, in memory to her late husband, to their son, Jon Osborne.
