IN PICTURES: 40 years of the Hong Kong Sevens - part 7 (2006-2010). Join us for an eight-part romp through the SCMP archives charting how the world-famous event became such a success
From humble beginnings in 1976, the Hong Kong Sevens has grown into the city's leading sports event, famed throughout the world. This year, as the tournament celebrates 40 years, we're taking a ride through the SCMP archives to see how the event became the jewel in the sevens crown.
And if you see yourself or a friend in any of the pictures in our eight-part series, click here to enter your best memories of the Sevens and the most original/entertaining answers will win a pair of three-day tickets to this year’s Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens from March 27-29.
We begin part 7 in and Ben Gollings starred again as England made it four wins in Hong Kong in five years, and a fourth consecutive Hong Kong Sevens title.
They beat Fiji with a last-second try from Gollings, 26-24, in one of the most tense finals of all time.
"A well-behaved crowd erupted as England celebrated and police and security officials were forced to shield themselves from a rain of plastic beer jugs after arresting the first of at least a dozen pitch invaders," reported the SCMP.
It was the remarkable Gollings' 131st try in the Sevens World Series. "I was in the right place at the right time," he said.
Meanwhile, fledgling rugby nation China enjoyed some success with victory in the Bowl.
DON'T MISS: Part 1 of our look through the archives
In 2007, the South Stand became an 18-and-over-only zone, probably for the best.
On the pitch, Samoa won for the second time, beating Pacific Island rivals Fiji in a strange final. Samoa scored five first-half tries, three from Hong Kong debutant Mikaele Pesamino, but then had to hold off a fightback from Fiji in the second to win 27-22.
"I have scored many hat-tricks before, but this one is special," said Pesamino.
DON'T MISS: Part 2 of our look through the archives
Remarkably, New Zealand hadn't won in Hong Kong since 2001, a lifetime away considering how dominant they had been in the past.
They put that right in 2008, crushing South Africa 26-12.
DJ Forbes' side had gone through the World Series unbeaten to that point - the Hong Kong win made it 42 matches and seven tournaments without defeat that year.
"It has been a long time between drinks, but we played very well," said coach Gordon Tietjens.
DON'T MISS: Part 3 of our look through the archives
In 2009, Rugby Sevens was accepted into the Olympics, a landmark for the sport and the signal for countries to take it even more seriously.
In Hong Kong, arguably the birthplace of the sport as a modern phenomenon, past masters Fiji won the tournament for the first time since 1999 (they won in Hong Kong in 2005 but that was the World Cup).
Legend Waisale Serevi had been dumped as player-coach in the build-up, and Fiji were given no chance, but had the last laugh with a 26-24 win over South Africa.
"We were written off by our fans ... but proved everyone wrong," said coach Iliesa Tanviula.
In the South Stand, jugs of beer were banned ... but that "did not seem to hamper the usual rate of consumption", the SCMP reported approvingly.
DON'T MISS: Part 4 of our look through the archives
In 2010, a fourth competition was introduced, the Shield - and won by Hong Kong.
Samoa took the main event in a stunning final, piling on 24 unanswered points to turn around a 0-14 deficit against New Zealand and win 24-21.
Mikaele Pesamino, the hat-trick hero in 2007, was at it again, scoring two in the final and was named player of the tournament.
Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge, one of the most powerful people in sport, paid his first visit to Hong Kong Stadium.
DON'T MISS: Part 5 of our look through the archives
Hong Kong's win in the Shield was the first time a fully "home-grown" team had lifted silverware following the introduction of new residency rules, and local Chinese player Salom Yiu Kam-shing was one of the finds of the tournament.
"For us to win in Hong Kong, a tournament most of have been coming to for our whole lives, is a dream come true," said Rowan Varty.
DON'T MISS: Part 6 of our look through the archives
Roll of Honour:
1976 Cantabrians (New Zealand) 24 - Wallaroos (Australia) 8
1977 Fiji 28 - Marlborough (New Zealand) 18
1978 Fiji 14 - Manawatu (New Zealand) 10
1979 Australia 39 - Western Samoa 3
1980 Fiji 12 - Scottish Co-optimists 8
1981 Barbarians 12 - Australia 10
1982 Australia 18 - Scottish Border 14
1983 Australia 14 - Fiji 4
1984 Fiji 26 - New Zealand 0
1985 Australia 24 - Public School Wanderers 10
1986 New Zealand 32 French Barbarians 12
1987 New Zealand 12 Fiji 6
1988 Australia 13 New Zealand 12
1989 New Zealand 22 Australia 10
1990 Fiji 22 New Zealand 10
1991 Fiji 18 New Zealand 14
1992 Fiji 22 New Zealand 6
1993 Western Samoa 14 Fiji 12
1994 New Zealand 32 Australia 30
1995 New Zealand 35 Fiji 17
1996 New Zealand 19 Fiji 17
1997 Fiji 24 South Africa 15 (World Cup)
1998 Fiji 28 Samoa 19
1999 Fiji 21 New Zealand 12
2000 New Zealand 31 Fiji 5
2001 New Zealand 29 Fiji 5
2002 England 33 Fiji 20
2003 England 22 New Zealand 17
2004 England 22 Argentina 12
2005 Fiji 29 New Zealand 19 (World Cup)
2006 England 26 Fiji 24
2007 Samoa 27 Fiji 22
2008 New Zealand 26 South Africa 12
2009 Fiji 26 South Africa 24
2010 Samoa 24 New Zealand 21
Don't forget to enter here if you see yourself or a friend in the first seven of our eight-part photo series.
Part 8 is on Wednesday.
