THE Sawtell 7’s Tournament has made a return after a 20-year hiatus, with a big day of Rugby Sevens on the long weekend.

Local and visiting teams battled it out for over $30,000 in prize money and prizes at Bayrange Rugby Park.

Two Upper Mid North Coast Rugby Union clubs won silverware, with the Coffs Harbour Snappers winning the Women’s Country Plate, and the Kempsey Cannonballs winning the Men’s Country Plate.

Veivanua Brothers won the Men’s Elite Championship, while the Burraneer Rays won the Women’s Country Cup Championship.

Two Blues Colts won the Men’s Country Cup.

Sawtell 7’s co-organiser Nathan Hardaker said it was great to see the event make its return.

“To see it get off the ground again was fantastic,” he said.

“We had teams ranging from Brisbane to Sydney, as well as from out to Inverell, and a number of the women’s players were vying for national selection.”

Hardaker said there was already a lot of interest for next year’s event.

“We had team officials from clubs come and scout the event, and they’ve expressed a lot of interest already for next year,” he said.

“We’re aiming for a two-day event next year with 40 teams, and we will almost definitely have it next year.”

By Aiden BURGESS