World news round-up

Photo: Oxford and Cambridge University captains ahead of their first meeting at Twickenham

Dubai Sevens, away from the spotlight

As well as theWorld Series and Invitational eventsat the Dubai Sevens there were three other competitions, one for international teams and two more for local sides.

The International Women’s Open featured six teams, including two which were effectively national teams – Georgia (Women’s 7s) and Switzerland (Barbarians) – plus the AUC Wolverines (from the American University, Cairo); Panthers (from the German University in Cairo); Pink Ba Bas (from London); and The Mamas (a team of rugby-playing mothers from seven different countries, including several internationals).

The pool games ran over two days – Thursday and Friday – with the finals on Saturday.  The two student teams had a tough time, with the Panthers failing to score a point while AUC Wolverines only success came in their game against them, leaving the other four teams to contest the semi-finals on the final day.

Almost all of the games between the top four had been close in the pool – most being decided by a single score – and the semi-finals were also close with pool winners The Pink Ba Bas, packed with players who have played in the English Premiership beating the Swiss 17-5 in the first semi, while the Mamas sneaked home 10-7 over Georgia. The final, however, was rather more one-sided with the English team sweeping to a 31-0 triumph and a 100% record over the three days.

The Gulf Women’s competition included eight teams, many of whom played in the Gulf League and after three days the trophy was finally lifted by the local team, Dubai Hurricanes 19-10 over Abu Dhabi Harlequins – which was almost repeated in the Gulf U19 final, where again a local team beat Abu Dhabi Harlequins, but this time it was the Dubai Exiles who won the five- team tournament by 32-0.

Spain: Catalonia win regional title

Ahead of next week’s test series with Hong Kong, Spain’s leading players completed their regional championship last weekend with Catalonia retaining their title, beating Madrid in the final by 15-7.

In an even game, the Catalan proved more effective at converting possession into points, and lead 12-0 at half-time thanks to tries from wing Axelle Ramon after 11 minutes and Mette Zimmat, eight minutes later, capitalizing on a defensive mistake by Madrid.

In the second half, Africa Felez extended the lead with a penalty before Madrid finally managed to get onto the scoreboard with a try from Nuria Yurrita. Despite dominating the final minutes, Madrid were unable to break through an impressive Catalonian defence.

In the third-place playoff Valencia beat Galicia by 17-7, so retaining their place in the top division of the regional championship. In a game marked by mistakes and very cut game, Valencia recovered from an early Galician try from Monica Castelo, turning the game around in the second half with tries from Maria Jose Perez and Cristina Balaguer.

Galicia will now have to meet the winner of the "B" division in a promotion/relegation play-off.

Hong Kong champion’s 21-game unbeaten run

Meanwhile in Hong Kong the regular club season has reached the halfway point last weekend with Valley Black recording their 21stconsecutive win, in a run that started at the start of last season, after beating rivals Gai Wu Falcons 15-3 in a meeting of the league’s top two teams.

Coached by former Wasps coach Chris Garvey, Valley RFC have a player base that has doubled to over 60 players over the past three years and have a team in Division 1 (Valley Red), as well as the Premiership.

Last weekend Valley Black led 12-0 at the half with Olivia Coady collecting a brace in the first half before the Falcons clawed back a solitary penalty in the second half, accompanied by one penalty from Valley after the break.

South American “C” Sevens Championship

Sudamérica Rugby, in association with World Rugby, has confirmed the line-up for next weekend’s South American “C” Championship. To be played in the Central American republic of El Salvador, the competition will bring together competing teams from six countries - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru.

The winner of the event will qualify to take part in the 2016 Olympic Games Test event in Rio.

Friday 11thDecember:El Salvador vs Guatemala; Costa Rica vs Panama; Peru vs Nicaragua; Costa Rica vs El Salvador; Nicaragua vs Guatemala; Peru vs Panama; Nicaragua vs Costa Rica; Panama vs El Salvador; Peru vs Guatemala

Saturday 12thDecember:Panama vs Nicaragua; Guatemala vs Costa Rica; Peru vs El Salvador; Guatemala vs Panama; El Salvador vs Nicaragua; Peru vs Costa Rica; Bowl Final; Plate Final; Cup Final

(Play starts at 9.30 local time on each day)

Oxbridge Varsity match at Twickenham

The Oxford University v Cambridge University Varsity Match takes place at Twickenham for the first time this week. After 28 years playing alternately at Oxford or Cambridge, while the men met at Twickenham, the two teams will at last be part of a double-header at HQ this Thursday (kick-off 11.30).

Cambridge have tended to have a better record in recent years in the Varsity Match, culminating in a 47-0 win last year. However Oxford are currently ahead of their rivals in the inter-university BUCS league – though, with the game also counting in the league, a win by Cambridge of the scale of last year would reverse that!