Samoa produced a brilliant display on the final day of the Adelaide Sevens to romp to Cup success against impressive USA 38-10 and win back-to-back tournaments for the first time in the IRB Sevens World Series.
In doing so, they cut New Zealand's lead to just two points heading into next weekend's Hong Kong tournament. Fiji currently lie third and Cup semi finalists Australia have risen to fourth, ahead of England, Kenya and South Africa.
The USA made huge strides by reaching their first ever Cup final but came up short against the powerful Samoans, for whom the forward triumvirate of Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Simaika Mikaele and Ofisa Treviranus were again outstanding.
The match-winner for the islanders, though, was Mikaele Pesamino, who crossed for a hat trick of tries in the final and 11 in the tournament, extending his personal tally to 40 for the season, the leading mark.
In the other competitions New Zealand beat South Africa to take the Plate, England won the Bowl with victory against Kenya and Japan took the Shield.
USA won through to their first ever Cup Final in IRB Sevens, first coming from 10-7 down against Wales to win their quarter final at the death with Zach Pangelinan's score and then beating Argentina 28-12, scoring four tries to the Pumas' two.
In the final they face Samoa, who first won a fourth successive victory against New Zealand, scoring at the death through Simaika Mikaele to draw level at 19-19 and then pouncing through Timoteo Iosua to win 24-19, before then seeing off the stiff challenge of hosts Australia 26-12.
Earlier, Australia beat Fiji for the second time in succession, James Stannard's two late tries firing them to a popular 26-21 win.
New Zealand win Plate
New Zealand won a bruising Plate final against reigning Series champions South Africa 21-14 to take 12 points and guarantee they lead the Series heading into the Hong Kong tournament next weekend.
While newcomer Sampie Mastriet was again on target for the Boks, scoring his ninth try of the tournament, Tim Mikkelson, Save Tokula and captain DJ Forbes all scored for the kiwis.
Earlier, the New Zealanders lost against Samoa in the Cup quarter finals but recovered to beat Fiji in their Plate semi.
England win Bowl
England recovered from the disappointment of losing two matches on day one by winning all of their matches on Sunday to take the Bowl trophy, beating Kenya 33-12 in the final and taking four points towards the World Series.
Ben Ryan's side followed a 47-0 victory against Papua New Guinea with a 19-0 win against France and then proved too strong for the ever-popular Kenyans.
Japan win Shield
Two tries by giant Alisi Tupuailei helped Japan to a fine 22-19 victory against Tonga in the Shield Cup final. Earlier Japan beat Niue to reach the final.
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