THE second day of the Fiji Bitter Gaunavou Sevens didn't come easy for top teams that travelled from Viti Levu at Savusavu's Ganilau Park.
Wardens had a tough time against Savusavu's St Theresa's team and won 10 -7.
Another interesting game was between the Westfield team from Nadi and the local Cakaudrove villagers from Ketei settlement where Pio Tuwai andhis mates won 14-7.
The close encounters had Foster's trade relations and marketing manager Joe Rodan pointing out how the tournament had helped expose northern talent.
"That just shows the pace of rugby development among our local boys. The local teams put up tough matches for the top teams and it's encouraging to see how our sponsored tournament is helping with rugby development," Rodan said.
He added the seven years of the sponsored-Fiji Bitter Gaunavou Sevens had been a success. "I have seen a lot of improvement with the local players compared to when this tournament first started here in Savusavu. In the first few years, there was a lot of indiscipline among the local teams but that has changed a lot."
He said, Foster's, through the tournament, would always help the community develop untapped rugby talent around the country.
"We have three major Fiji Bitter-sponsored tournaments around the country with the Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens for the Central Division, the Fiji Bitter Nawaka Sevens for the west and the Fiji Bitter Gaunavou Sevens for the north.
"It's a way of giving back to the community where they come in and watch rugby or sell from the stall and even a social day for some.
"The tournament has also injected economy into the business community as people travel to Savusavu and spend in town or here in the park," Rodan said.