Pacific Current and Albion Athletic were crowned champions as Ultimate Sevens delivered another action-packed night in Biarritz.
Some of the biggest names in world sevens took centre stage at Parc des Sports Aguilera on Friday night, with the second event of the new competition producing two different winners.
Pacific Current claimed the women’s title after beating Clan Taran 25-19 in a thrilling final, while Albion Athletic shut out Pacific Current 13-0 to take the men’s crown.
Attention now turns to the Ultimate Sevens Grand Final in London on Thursday, September 24.
Maddi Levi inspires Pacific Current
Australia superstar Maddi Levi was the standout performer in the women’s competition.
Pacific Current began their night with a 19-12 victory over Clan Taran before edging Sol Feroz 13-12 in a tense semi-final.
That set up a rematch with Clan Taran in the final.
This time it was even closer.
Levi scored a hat-trick as Pacific Current eventually secured a 25-19 victory, with her late third try settling the contest.
The Australian was named Biarritz MVP following another huge individual performance.
“We knew it was going to be a ding-dong battle, whoever was in that final,” Levi said.
“We knew they are a great attacking team, same as the semi-final. We knew it was defence and work-rate that was going to win it.”
Albion Athletic take men's title
Albion Athletic produced an impressive response after their early exit in Cardiff.
They opened with a 20-12 victory against Sol Feroz, with Fiji star Vuiviwa Naduvalo crossing twice.
Albion then powered past Cardiff champions Clan Taran 21-5 in the semi-final.
Pacific Current awaited in the final after victories against Foudre Bleue and Sol Feroz.
But Albion saved their strongest defensive performance for last.
They kept Pacific Current scoreless to secure a 13-0 victory and the Biarritz men's title.
“It was a massive improvement by us from last week when we were knocked out first round,” said Albion's Jayden Blake.
“We've got a great bunch of lads, great players. We just wanted to build into this week and put on a performance that we were proud of.”
Ultimate Sevens Biarritz results
Women's results
First round
- Foudre Bleue 18-6 Albion Athletic
- Pacific Current 19-12 Clan Taran
- Sol Feroz 12-0 Atlantic Novas
Semi-finals
- Clan Taran 14-6 Foudre Bleue
- Pacific Current 13-12 Sol Feroz
Final
- Pacific Current 25-19 Clan Taran
Men's results
First round
- Pacific Current 14-7 Foudre Bleue
- Albion Athletic 20-12 Sol Feroz
- Clan Taran 11-10 Atlantic Novas
Semi-finals
- Pacific Current 17-13 Sol Feroz
- Albion Athletic 21-5 Clan Taran
Final
- Albion Athletic 13-0 Pacific Current
London next
Ultimate Sevens now heads to London for its Grand Final.
The final event of the inaugural championship takes place at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford on Thursday, September 24.
After Clan Taran claimed the men's title in Cardiff before Albion Athletic responded in Biarritz, and Pacific Current's women hit form in France, everything is set up for a huge finish in London.
