Samoa produced a first half display of power, pace and precision to blow away their island rivals Fiji and set up a fine victory by 27-22 at the Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.
The Fijians fought back amazingly in the second half to score 22 unanswered points but the deficit proved too big and Samoa held on for a first Hong Kong title since 1993, six years before the inception of the IRB Sevens World Series.
In triumphing here, the Samoans also claim $100,000 and 30 series points to go joint second in the series standings with New Zealand on 78 points, only six points behind defending Series champions Fiji on 84. South Africa are fourth with 74.
Mikaele Pesamino again proved a match winner for Samoa, scoring a first half hat trick as the Fijians were run ragged for 10 minutes to trail 27-0 at the break, Uale Mai and Jerry Meafou also touching down.
Where they had mis-fired in the first half, the Fijians hit back with a vengeance in the second. Ryder, Cakau, Vucago and Saravanua all scored and with the clock ticking down a final chance to level the scores out wide went begging as they cut back in to the Samoan defence.
Fiji earlier beat New Zealand to reach the final, Waisale Serevi scoring the clincher, before Samoa punished South African profligacy with a determined display to reach the final, Treviranus scoring the only try.
Earlier England's grip on the Hong Kong crown was finally prized open by New Zealand. Forwards Dave Seymour and Ben Russell led the fight alongside proud skipper Simon Amor but four tries - for Hunt, Pelenise, Yates and King - brought England's four year reign in Hong Kong to an end. A fine performance by Scotland also forced the very best from Fiji, William Ryder scoring a hat trick in their 28-7 quarter final win.
In the other half of the draw two tries for Lolo Lui inspired Samoa to a hard-fought 26-17 win over much-improved Australia, for whom Tim Wright scored the pick of three tries. South Africa were then taken to the wire by Tonga in the last Cup quarter final. Leading 7-0 at the break, the Boks conceded a try early in the second period before asserting their authority with tries from Basson and Mbiyozo.
Wales stun Argentina to take Plate
Wales staged a dramatic fight back in the dying stages to stun Argentina and take the Hong Kong Plate trophy, 26-19.
In doing so the Welsh also kept up an incredible record of winning silverware in each of their last seven IRB Sevens World Series events.
Argentina went ahead early on through prolific try scorer Santiago Gomez Cora and, although Wales pulled on back through Wayne Evans, the Pumas stretched out to a 19-5 half time lead with tries from Camacho and Barni.
The second was all Wales, though, and tries from Alec Jenkins and Lee Beach set up a thrilling climax that saw Tal Selley's try steal victory.
Russia take Bowl
Russia beat European rivals France 21-7 to take the Hong Kong Bowl and with it their first ever silverware and ranking point in the IRB Sevens World Series.
Leading 7-0 at the break through a try from Andrei Kuzin, the Russians built a 21-0 lead through further scores for Galinovskiy and Ostrouschko before conceding a consolation try to France, scored by Nicolas Carmona.
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