England and Leicester Tigers hooker Tom Youngs was one of the spectators enjoying the warm weather at the annual North Walsham Sevens tournament.

Eastern Daily Press: Rugby sevens tournament at North Walsham Rugby Club. Norwich v Sydney Knights (orange/white).PHOTO: ANTONY KELLYRugby sevens tournament at North Walsham Rugby Club. Norwich v Sydney Knights (orange/white).PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2014)

Fifteen men's teams and six women's teams competed in the sunshine at Scottow yesterday, with the Norfolk-born British & Irish Lions forward supporting north Norfolk side Charolais Bulls.

Last year's men's champions Thunderbirds retained the Jill Hambling Cup under the new name of Apollo 7s, made up of players from the Vikings' London One North rivals Westcliff in Essex.

They beat Norfolk specialist sevens team the Sydney Knights by four tries to one in a tightly fought final.

The Viking Plate final was won by Stowmarket, with Norwich Medics the runners-up.

The George Campbell Shield for the women's competition was won by Essex-based Thunderbirds, who beat Lakenham Hewett in the final.

The competition, sponsored by Jewson, attracted sides from as far away as York and the West Midlands, with players from Norfolk clubs including Diss, Norwich, Wymondham and North Walsham.

Dan Goodrich, one of the organisers of the tournament, said: 'This was a fantastic and successful days and has drawn some very positive comments.

'Next year is World Cup year and rugby will be centre stage so we're planning another big event for 2015 during the late May bank holiday and many of the teams playing this year have said they want to return, better and stronger.'