Even the presence of Leicester’s Fijian star Seru Rabeni could not inspire the Crusaders to victory, with the impending Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup finals still not putting the Tigers star centre off from lacing up his boots.

In the end though the Falcons built on their slender 17-12 half time lead to accelerate away, Luke Fielden grabbing the other score to add to Phillips’ four.

Speaking afterwards, Phillips said: “That was a great team effort today, all the boys chipped in and really worked hard to beat a strong Fijian side.”

The pink-clad Falcons were rampant throughout the tournament, scoring 212 points in their five matches and conceding just four tries all day.

Their campaign had opened with a convincing 47-0 demolition of a Kaiviti Crusaders team they were to ultimately meet in the final, as two tries from lively scrum half Micky Young were added to by scores from Fielden, Scott Riddell, Ralph Smith and Tim Visser

Tynedale provided stiff opposition in the second pool clash but ultimately could not keep pace with the hosts, Smith grabbing two tries while there were further scores from Hamer, Visser, Phillips and Fielden in a 38-7 win.

The touring Templars side felt the full force of the in-form Falcons in the final pool clash as a seven-try demolition booked their semi-final spot courtesy of tries from Hamer (2), Visser, Smith, Young, Alex Tait and Fielden for a 49-5 scoreline.

The semi-final against British Army side The Tigers, consisting of Fijian talent, proved a one-sided affair as Newcastle romped to a 47-0 victory, Phillips scoring a hat-trick while there were further tries from Hamer, Tait, Young and Visser to set up the victorious final against Kaiviti Crusaders.

In the Suio Northumberland County Sevens Northumbria University took top honours, beating Morpeth convincingly in the final, while there was a triumphant return for the ever-popular Falcons Legends exhibition game against Clem’s Pirates.

The Pirates wheeled out a special guest star as Seru Rabeni took the field to healthy applause after his Sevens exploits, but in the end the talent of the Falcons old boys was too much for a gallant Pirates side.

Star turns included Richard Arnold, the goal-kicking exploits of Steve O’Neill, James Isaacson, Billy Balshen, Tom May, Martin Shaw and Paul Mackings, with a 36-12 final score in favour of the former Falcons.

That capped off a marvellous afternoon of action and drew a line under five successful days for the North East Property Buyers Newcastle Festival of Rugby, which is fast becoming a firm fixture on the sporting calendar.

Newcastle Falcons Sevens squad:

Tim Visser
Scott Riddell
Phil Dawson
Hall Charlton
Luke Fielden
Ollie Phillips (captain)
James Hamer
Ralph Smith
Micky Young
Alex Tait