It was the club’s third title at the competition and perhaps their most impressive as they racked up 33 tries across five victories at Bury St Edmunds RUFC.
The day started with a morning win over the Irish Exiles, Joel Hodgson, Harry Mallinder and Cam Dolan all scoring first half tries. With Tom Collins adding a brace in the second half, a clean sheet at the other end meant a solid 31-0 start to the Saints’ campaign.
Next up came Apache 7s and what would prove their toughest contest of the tournament. Despite scores from Howard Packman and Dolan once more, they led just 12-7 at the break. A second from the American supplemented by Teimana Harrison’s try kept their noses in front though for a 26-19 win which ensured progression to the quarter finals.
Another tight and tense first half ended 12-7 in the Saints’ favour against Newcastle Wailers, but the men in black, green and gold would turn on the style after the break.
The lead was built from tries by Will Hooley and Rory Hutchinson and five more would follow; Lewis Ludlam, Collins (2), Packman and Alex Day completing a convincing 43-7 scoreline.
The specialist from Samurai 7s lay in wait for the semi-finals and while Saints surged into a 19-0 lead – Dolan, Packman and Collins again on the scoresheet – they wouldn’t have it all their own way.
Samurai would run in three second half tries to close the gap, albeit only to 10 points as Dolan’s second and one for Ludlam completed the job.
The final saw a re-match with Apache and this time the Saints would get the job done in some style.
Packman, Collins, Day and skipper Ben Nutley opened up a 28-0 half-time advantage and a trio of second half scores each saw the showpiece end in a 49-19 triumph, ensuring the glassware came back down the A14 to Franklin's Gardens.
There was cause for double celebration, too, with the excellent Collins named player of the tournament following the final.
WINNING SAINTS SQUAD FOR BURY ST EDMUNDS 7s
Cam Dolan, Reece Marshall, Ben Nutley, Teimana Harrison, Alex Day, Harry Mallinder, Rory Hutchinson, Howard Packman, Joel Hodgson, Will Hooley, Lewis Ludlam, Tom Collins
