TOMEK Pozniak scored the opening try in the final as Poland won the opening event of the Rugby Europe 7s Trophy Series with a 17-12 victory against Ukraine in Makarska, Croatia.

Poz’s unconverted score gave his side an early lead before their opponents hit back through Vadym Sivak added to a try, Ukraine pulling further clear as Yevhen Davydov dotted down.

However, Poland cut the gap to two points before the break as Reece Strutynski crossed the whitewash and they then benefitted from the decisive penalty try after Ksawery Struss was illegally halted in the second period.

The Poles had earlier topped Pool B having begun the competition with 22-17 and 24-0 successes against Romania and Norway before they drew their last group game 19-19 with the hosts.

A hard-fought 17-14 quarter-final victory was followed by a 19-14 triumph against Latvia before their win in the Ukraine decider.

The second leg of the event takes place in Chisinau, Moldova, from June 27-29.