MARLBOROUGH Compeed sevens team secured glory in the plate competition when the second leg of the Secure Trading Super Sevens Series in Coventry.

The team finished 17th out of 40 teams at the leg in Bury St Edmunds two weeks previously but produced a much stronger showing in Coventry.

Three pool matches were contested first, with Marlborough beating Guildford Bears 17-12 in their opener.

They followed that with a 27-12 defeat against a fast and organised Akuma Hurricanes line-up, before rounding off their pool games with a 15-12 success over Ponty Butchers.

Those results saw Marlborough earn a place in the plate semi-finals, although further progress looked tricky following injuries to Pita Robanakadavu and captain Pio Tuwai.

Student Select – the team’s conquerors in Bury St Edmunds – stood in Marlborough’s way and they were eager to turn the tables.

A fast-paced try-laden game ensued, with Marlborough getting the better of it 40-21 to make it through to the final.

It was not all good news, though, as there was further injury disappointment for Ryan Morrel.

Despite their problems, Marlborough raised their game once more in the final to thrash Nigeria Exiles 40-7 to lift the plate trophy.

Marlborough are next in action at the Bournemouth Sevens this weekend, while the next leg of the Super Sevens Series is on June 15 at Newbury.

Elsewhere, Marlborough sent two teams to the Minety Sevens tournament where one also went on to win the plate competition.