After two periods of extra time against England in the semifinal, the team appeared physically drained at the beginning of the final.

But they soon picked themselves up and speedster Mikaele Pesamino scored a hatrick to help his team. Fautua Otto contributed a double with Uale Mai and Reupena Levasa chipping in with a try each.

The team played their hearts out. By the end of the final, they were just about out on their feet. Coach Betham huddled his team in the middle of the field as they sang a hymn “Samoa ala mai e fa’afetai” before they accepted their trophy.

They hoisted the Samoan flag as an appreciate Murrayfield crowd applauded their efforts. The most memorable aspect about the Scotland Sevens has to be the semifinal clash between Samoa and England.

Samoa beat England 15-12 with a drop goal penalty by captain Lolo Lui in the last seconds of extra time to win a heart-stopping semi-final match. Afa Aiono put the Samoans ahead against England but Tom Powell levelled after the break.

Mikaele Pesamino looked to have given the Samoans the win and the Series but Greg Barden scored to level it up. Ben Gollings missed the conversion and the game went into extra time.

As the tension mounted Lolo Lui missed with a long range drop goal and England withstood concerted Samoan pressure. Not until the last second of extra time did Samoa work a position where Lolo Lui was able to opt for a penalty drop goal, which he cooly slotted to land Samoa their ever World Series crown.

Earlier, Samoa put in a much better performance to beat South Africa 19-0 and put themselves one win away from a first World Series title. In the overall points table, Samoa finished with 164 points while New Zealand finished second with 149 points. Fiji finished third.

Source: Samoa Observer

Highlights of this years 48th Independence Anniversary Celebrations will include: the two Fautasi races - the international race for the boats being rowed with spoon oars and the local race for the fautasi being rowed with wooden oars; the March Pass; Traditional Entertainement by Schools and Villages; and the Official Retreat prior to the Government Reception which will conclude the year's celebrations. Sporting events which will provide action packed fun during the celebrations include the Samoa Pro-Am Boxing Fights, Outrigger/Kayak Boat Racing and the International Rugby League Match between Toa Samoa and Fiji Bati.

A detailed Independence Celebrations Programme will be made available to the Industry soon.

Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Circular 20

Despite the strong condemnation of Fiji’s military government by Samoa’s Prime Minister, the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) is attending the Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange (BFTE), hoping to sell Samoa to the world there.

STA’s Marketing and Promotions manager, Dwayne Bentley told the Fiji Times Samoa was pleased to be at the annual event held at Denarau Island. He said it was an opportunity to tell wholesalers things are normal in Samoa. Come to sunny Samoa…this is the message being spread by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) at the Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange. After the tsunami last year, Mr Bentley said people of Samoa had rebuilt their lives and begun attracting tourists. The Marketing Manager said Samoa has been attending the BFTE for the past eight years.

“Attending this BFTE is a good opportunity for us to assure the wholesalers and tourism operators that Samoa is normal,” he said. The New Zealand market remained the main generator of inbound arrivals with 42 per cent share followed by Australia and American Samoa with 19 per cent and 18 per cent respectively in 2010.

Majority of inbound travellers from NZ, Australia and American Samoa went for business-related activities and family-oriented matters. Despite the political problems in Fiji, however, tourism appears to be on the rise again in that country.

The Warwick hotel chain has plans to build a Hotel at Vavau, Aleipata.

Source: Samoa Observer (www.samoaobserver.ws)

Owned by the Lamositele Family, Leota Laki Sio explained it was a project planned by their family through sharing on Sundays Toonai two years ago. It started in July last yea and immediately encountered difficulties - not only financial but disputes over land. "But I thank God it's finally completed," Leota said.

The resort with a restaurant and bar, reception and activities centre offers a range of services for guests. It has 22 rooms available now with mmore still to be completed.

Suiotupu Meredith cuts the ribbon to officially open the new resort.

Leota thanked all government ministries, businesses and individuals who have helped make this dream a reality. In his address, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi thanked the Lomositele family for this project.

"It will help push teh economy and to attract more tourists to enjoy Samoa's beautiful environment," he said

the openeing ceremony was led by Fr Nimo Pilimai and Suiotupu Fonotoe Meredith cut the ribbon to officially open the resort.

source: Samoa Observer (www.samoaobserver.ws)