PENNS Place became a small part of Fiji on Saturday as the UK Fijians seven-a-side and ten-a-side tournaments returned to Petersfield Rugby Football Club.

With 20 teams contesting the seven-a-side trophy and four teams contesting the ten-a-side ‘Masters’ competition, which was for players aged 35 years old and over, there was a feast of high octane rugby on show, played with 100 per cent commitment.

Eventual winners, and runners-up, the Fijian Knights provided two teams for the seven-a-side competition.

The Fijian Knights were joined in four pools by Nakelo Spartan, RLC Titans, Nausori Black, Naitasiri UK, Tokatoka UK, Nadroga UK, ITC Catterick, Island Vibes, Kadavu Knights, Guards Division, UK Fijians, Lomaiviti, Tako Lavo and Rifle Barbarians.

The Fijian Knights were also represented in the ten-a-side competition, along with Nadroga UK, Nakelo and Naitasiri – the sides re-joining battles that have taken place over the decades.

In addition to the hundreds of Fijian families and friends vociferously supporting their teams, there was a large contingent of locals taking advantage of the event to witness sport played the way it should be, with heart and soul and the highest level of sporting conduct.

The Fijian High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Jitoko Tikolevu, addressed the teams and their supporters at the end of the competition, and Petersfield’s deputy mayor Hilary Ayer presented the trophies.