CALDY Sevens superpowers Sale Jets took the 66th Caldy Sevens title – their sixth in seven years – with an impressive display of rugby at Paton Field.
After losing out to the mighty minnows last year – breaking a run of five straight victories – the Premiership team were thoroughly professional from the first game to the last.
In perfect sevens weather at Paton Field and with free-scoring winger Nick Royle as their spearhead, the young squad topped their group and then breezed through to the final.
There they met home favourites the Caldy Ben Smith Sevens, who harboured hopes of an upset after enjoying some impressive wins of their own.
However the Caldy squad conceded two tries inside the first minute of the final and despite Shaun Woof and Mark Turner striking back, Sale continued to pull away and reclaim the Okell Shield.
Earlier, the Ben Smith team had topped their group, defeating Woodchurch and Fylde, with Caldy first-teamers John Broxson and Dave Mercer outstanding.
Chester were another local team to impress, topping their group and overcoming a strong Fylde team in the quarter finals before running out of steam against the Premiership giants in the semis.
In the Craig Hodgkinson Bowl, Woodchurch Warriors put up a spirited display before losing to Leeds Griffins in the final.
