With a local cheer squad in tow, Kununurra’s only entrant in the 2012 Hottest Sevens in the World rugby tournament took to the field on Saturday. The Kununurra Smashed Crabs, a squad of 12 players, travelled to Darwin for the competition in a bid to take home part of the $67,500 prize pool.

Dozens of teams were registered for the tournament, including the Crabs’ first opponents Heineken Harlequins.

But the Kununurra players were off to a slow start, losing with five points to the Harlequins’ 17.

Not to be disheartened, the team started preparations for their Groote Eylandt Mudchooks.

The Crabs sidestepped their island opponents to take the lead and finish on top 19 points ahead of the Mudchooks’ five points.