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SIMSBY SEALS SENSATIONAL PLAYOFF VICTORY AT THE BANDAR MALAYSIA OPEN

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Photo: Winning Matters American Trevor Simsby picked up his first Asian Tour title after sinking a four-foot birdie putt to emerge triumphant on the second play-off hole against Andrew Dodt of Australia at the weather shortened Bandar Malaysia Open on Sunday. The 27-year-old Simsby, who earned his 2020 Asian Tour card after capping a commendable season on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last year, opted for an aggressive style of play in his three trips down the 18th hole which clearly paid off for him at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club. He went for the green on the par-five, 565-yard hole but found himself in the right rough in regulation play. He then hit his third shot to the green and two-putted for par to sign for a closing two-under-par 70 and a 13-under-par 203 total. THE MATCH Simsby, who played in the second last group, endured an agonising wait in the clubhouse before countryman Jarin Todd and Australian Andrew Dodt matched his efforts by ca

SOUTH AFRICA STAGE INCREDIBLE COMEBACK TO CLAIM LOS ANGELES SEVENS TITLE

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South Africa staged an incredible comeback to win the HSBC Los Angeles Sevens with a thrilling 29-24 extra-time victory over Olympic Champions Fiji . In a repeat of the final from the previous round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Sydney, it was South Africa who this time triumphed thanks to an extra time try from Sakoyisa Makata after the scores had finished level at full time 24-24. Fiji opened the final strongly with three unanswered tries in the first five minutes, but the Blitzboks clawed back the scoreline and equalised with a converted try by Branco Du Preez in the final minute of normal time. Earlier in the day South Africa won a hard-fought quarter-final against hosts USA with a last minute try from JC Pretorius edging them home 12-10 much to the disappointment of the exuberant Los Angeles crowd, which was being orchestrated by celebrity actor David Hasselhoff. In the semi-final the Blitzboks produced a dominant display to beat current Series leade

KENNEDY STORMS BACK TO WIN NEW ZEALAND OPEN

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Brad Kennedy returned to the winner’s circle again when he signed for a stunning eight-under-par 63 to win the 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport on Sunday. The Australian had won New Zealand’s prestigious National Open in 2011 and held aloft its prized trophy for the second time after overcoming a two-shot deficit to pip compatriot Lucas Herbert to the title with his winning total of 21-under-par 264 at the Millbrook Resort .  Herbert, who won the Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour in January, was seemingly in control of winning his second title in two months. However, a costly double-bogey on 13 pegged him back momentarily before he battled back gallantly with three straight birdies from the 15th hole. Standing on the 18th tee, Herbert still had a chance to at least force a play-off with Kennedy but hit his shot into the water which effectively cost him the title. Herbert’s closing bogey meant he would end the week in second place, two shots ahead of f

JAPAN CLINCH WORLD RUGBY SEVENS CHALLENGER SERIES IN URUGUAY

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Japan defeated Uruguay 5-0 in an unforgettable final at Montevideo's Estadio Charrúa, bringing to an end the second tournament on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in South America. After 22 minutes of rugby where both sides cancelled each other out, Japan captain Chihito Matsui finally managed to break the deadlock when he scored in the second half of sudden-death extra-time. The Match | Facebook Following both rounds of the Challenger Series events hosted in Chile and Uruguay, Japan are top of the standings on 39 points, followed by Hong Kong in second and Germany in third place with Chile sitting in fourth position. The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series focuses on the development of the next generation of sevens stars from emerging sevens nations featuring 13 core teams who compete over two rounds alongside three invitational teams. ONLINE MAGAZINE

GERMANY CLAIM FIRST WORLD RUGBY SEVENS CHALLENGER SERIES IN CHILE

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Germany have won the first men’s tournament of the inaugural HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Viña del Mar, Chile, after beating Hong Kong 10-0 in a hard-fought final at the Estadio Sausalito. TIGERS SUPER SPORTS In a match where points were at a premium, Bastian Himmer 's try was the only difference between the sides at half-time. If there was any tiredness it didn't show as the tackles and the commitment of each player continued after the break. Despite Hong Kong's best efforts, though, they could not find a way over the line and instead it was Germany who scored what proved to be the final points of the match, Tim Lichtenberg bursting through the narrowest of gaps to double their lead with five minutes left to play. Hong Kong tried everything they could to find a response but Germany controlled possession well and were able to see the match through and secure victory. As winners in Chile, Germany lead the standings with 22 points, foll

FIJI CLAIM FIRST TITLE OF THE SEASON

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Fiji came out on top against South Africa for the second time in eight days, although this time their prize was not ninth place but a first HSBC Sydney Sevens title. Both teams had been determined to bounce back from that disappointment in Hamilton and served up a Cup final every bit as thrilling as their last meeting in Singapore when Fiji had led 19-0 at half-time only for South Africa to storm back and triumph 21-19. Fiji nearly had the dream start in their first Cup final of the season, but JC Pretorius and Selvyn Davids managed to hold Meli Derenalagi over the line. It would only be a temporary respite, though, because as the rain began to fall again the ball skewed out the side of a breakdown and Napolioni Bolaca reacted quickest to score the opening try. RUGGER DISTRICT | RUGBY EQUIPMENT A barnstorming run from Zain Davids created the momentum for Pretorius to score with Fiji suffering a double blow with Josua Vakurunabili yellow-carded for a tackle

BLACK FERNS GO BACK-TO-BACK IN SYDNEY

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New Zealand continue to write new chapters in the history of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series after beating Canada 33-7 in the final to become the first to successfully defend the HSBC Sydney Sevens title. The title is their fourth in a row on the 2020 series after also lifting the silverware in Dubai, Cape Town and on home soil in Hamilton last weekend, taking their total to an incredible 26 titles in 42 series events. eTrucx Tranportations New Zealand have now won 19 matches in a row since losing to France in the pool stages of the Glendale season opener last October, their 250th match in series history also seeing them extend their perfect record against Canada in Cup finals to eight matches. Canada have only tasted victory once now in 21 meetings with the Black Ferns Sevens – four years ago in Sao Paulo – but they seemed set to open the scoring at Bankwest Stadium when Bianca Farella raced clear, only for Michaela Blyde to chase her down and earn a pen