Local teams held their own at the tenth edition of the Bermuda International Sevens when the tournament concluded at North Field, National Sports Centre, on Saturday.

Bermuda 1, featuring some players who won the college division last year, settled for second position after a hard-fought 24-7 defeat to Upright Rugby, from Canada, in the final.

In third position were Bermuda 2, with a 19-5 triumph over Rowan University earning them bronze.

The Bermuda under-14s defeated Lions Rugby Club in three of four matches to win the high school girls division. In the boys event, the Bermuda team finished third behind the two teams from Lions.

In the college final, the scores were level at half-time after tournament MVP Joseph Morano dotted down to open the scoring for an Upright converted try. Bermuda 1 hit back with a five-pointer from Jahniko Francis, with the successful conversion by Oisin Morgan taking the scores to 7-7 at the break.

Upright took the game away from Bermuda 1 with three more second-half tries from captain Nicolas Tissier, Hamish Goonan and Lucas Chirico. Tissier also booted in two conversions.

Brandon Sangster, who flew in from Canada where he is studying at Queen’s University in Ontario to play for Bermuda 1, was pleased with what his side achieved over the two days.

“I flew on the same day the tournament started on Friday and I’m flying out on Sunday,” Sangster told The Royal Gazette.

“I just came back for a couple games and it was definitely worth it. It’s good to come back and see that everything’s still going and everybody’s going strong.

“We had good competition, Upright came down this year and gave us a good run and it’s always a fun competition.

“We won four of our five matches and we’re hoping to shape up for Bermuda sevens for later this summer. “I hope that we can pull something out there on a national level, so this was a good run around for the boys to figure things out.”

Dzuri Gill, the Bermuda 2 captain, commended his team-mates for showing great commitment in representing the island.

“It was great to finish with a win and take home some silverware,” Gill said.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t push through in the semi-finals and earn a chance to play for gold.

“When you grow up playing rugby in Bermuda, captaining a side in this tournament is the kind of thing you dream about. To actually live it over these last two days has meant more to me.

“This squad put in everything — through the late nights, the tight turnaround between games and the physical battles on the field.

“We came together as a group, we represented our island with pride and I'm walking away from this weekend incredibly grateful to have led this team.”

Dan Roberts, the under-14 girls coach, was pleased with the team’s performance two weeks before they compete at the Tropical Sevens.

“What sets these girls apart is their sense of togetherness and belonging,” Richards said.

“Their team spirit is infectious. To beat a highly experienced U18 team from Chicago as a U14 team shows that the level of talent in Bermuda girls rugby is exceptional.

“We travel to the Tropical Sevens in Tampa in two weeks. It is the largest sevens competition in the Americas with over 100 female teams entered across all age groups.

“This is the first time that a Bermuda rugby girls youth team has entered an international tournament.

“Playing in this tournament was the perfect preparation for the girls. It gives us much needed confidence which will help ensure that we are able to showcase our skills at the Tropical Sevens.

Tissier, who was making his first trip to Bermuda, felt that they were made to sweat for their victory.

“It feels amazing to win the tournament and we worked super hard for this,” the winning captain said.

“It’s the first time some of these guys have met and it’s a super team. We lost to Bermuda in the last pool, so we couldn’t lose again and we came out of the back harder in the final.

“The final was great, it was very physical and both teams were pretty even in terms of skill. But we just outwitted them, I think we outran them, we had more stamina at the end and we could persevere until the last whistle, I think that’s what got us the win.

“This stadium is really nice, the field is sublime. Honestly, I had so much fun finally playing on grass again.

“Back home I’m always on turf, so it was super nice to have beautiful grass like this. After the first day of rain, we understood how to play differently with these conditions and we were able to play pretty well under the rain.

“Bermuda seems like a very lovely place. Unfortunately, we had rain for the past couple of days, so we haven’t been able to enjoy the beach and other areas on the island.”

Gemma Godfrey, president of the Bermuda Rugby Football Union, acknowledged those who contributed to the success of the two-day event.

“Thanks to everyone who’s made it out to Bermuda to play this weekend,” she said.

“It’s been a fantastic weekend of rugby. Big thanks to our event partners, Bermuda Tourism Authority, for sponsoring and supporting this weekend, we really appreciate it.

“Also want to say a massive thanks to the Royal Bermuda Regiment for housing you all this weekend. We wouldn’t be able to put this tournament on without them and keep the price and the cost down for you.

“Thank you to Island Express for transporting us around this weekend. Big shout out to Jahdé Rabain on the Gosling’s tent who’s been lubricating the spectators this weekend.

“On the pitchside support, a big thanks to St John’s Ambulance for their taking care of us this weekend and a huge thanks to Jillian Brydon and her team for looking after the players all this weekend on the side of the field.

“A huge thanks to the facilities staff at NSC. Big thanks to them for looking after us as well. We’ve got some spectators who’ve flown in as well. Big thanks for coming down and being here this weekend, we really appreciate it.”