The BA(G) Sevens Rugby representative squad gathered at JHQ on Thursday 23 September to prepare for the defence of their Munich International Sevens crown the following weekend. A number of senior squad members had been selected for Army 7s trials in the UK and as a result the squad available to Head of BA(G) RFU Coaching, Mr Ian Davies, would be young and relatively inexperienced.

It was evident from the outset that specific defensive drills and team gelling plays needed to be focused on during the short period of time the players has during their stay in Rheindahlen. The squad were able to relax play snooker and pool in the WRVS the night prior to a gruelling 8 hour trip to Munich by mini bus. Our thanks to Miss Jenny Hoatson for making this excellent facility available to the squad.

After an uneventful trip to Munich the squad managed a short training session in the NATO Engineering School at (ENTEC). The squad were received into their comfortable surroundings with usual slick aplomb by WO2 Jed Patterson (Royal Engineers) and settled in anticipation of the competition. Again a big thankyou to ENTEC.

As the squad gathered at 0630 hrs on a cold and wet Saturday morning it was clear that the whole day would not be blessed with kind weather. Preparations completed, warm suits on, and admin ably conducted by WO1 Jamie Jamieson and Mr John Lawson (both UKSC(G)) all that was to be done was to prove it on the park.

BA(G) V PESSARO (ITALY) - Result 48 -5

After a delayed start to the day BA(G) set the stamp on the competition by defeating Pessaro 48 - 5. Both sides initially encountered handling difficulties with wet ball and all. BA(G) opened the account after a short period of pressure from Pessaro which resulted in a scrum on the BA(G) 22 metre line, a fumbled effort by the Pessaro scrum half was pounced on by Pte Kim Vaudreu (2 CS Regt RLC) whose pace and guile enabled him to go blind and march down the wing to score under the sticks. This try set the tone of the match with BA(G) capitalizing on spilt Italian ball with the try of the match being scored by Pte "Taggie" Tagidugu (1DWR) who rounded off a slick passage of play which resulted in Vadreau breaking the Italian defence and popping the pass for Taggie to score under the posts. For the first game of the day BA(G) equipped themselves well with a half time score of 28 - 0 they were able to assert themselves on the game eventually running out winners 48 - 5. Try scourers were Pte Vaudreau (2 CS Regt RLC) X 2, Pte Tagidugu (1 DWR) X 1, LCpl Vermarassi (3 Bn REME) X 2, Gnr Qarau (12 Regt RA) X 1 and Gnr Sauliga (12 Regt RA) X 1.

BA(G) V MUNICH RUGBY CLUB (GERMANY) Result - 55 - 5

By the time the second game got underway torrential rain had arrived and unbeknown to the players and spectators the rain would stay for the reminder of the day. As BA(G) took on the southern area German champions there was an air of trepidation as Munich had had recent local successes. From the kick off BA(G), playing a controlled game, were able to put immediate pressure on the Munich defence making them resort to a kicking game. Pte Vaudreu again showed the reason for his recent selection for Singapore by having the vision to pop a pass in the tackle to Pte Tagiduga who ran the length of the pitch to score under the post. All concerns over the reputation of Munich were dispelled, as Vaudreu once again was able to release Gnr Sauliga (12 Regt RA) who scored under the posts. BA(G) sensing they had the upper hand went off the boil and a scrappy first half ensued but the magic did not go out of Vaudreus game with possibly the try of the tournament. He broke two tackles sold a dummy and the rest was history. The teams turned around with BA(G) leading 31 - 0. Vaudreu ever present on the park took once again took charge and ran in an individual effort that was followed by and exceptional score by Quareu. The second half saw trys from LCpl Vamerasi Pte Vaudreu and Gnr Quarau capping off a relatively uneventful second half.

As BA(G) progressed through the competition they came up against a resolute but inexperienced Middlesex side that lacked direction and depth. Not to be taken lightly or indeed out done or any quarter given the BA(G) squad continued its focus and posted its highest score of the tournament 59 - 0. Try scorers included Pte Vaudreau, Pte Karavaki X 2, Pte Galivia (2 CS Regt RLC) X 2, Cfn Namata (1 Bn REME), LCpl Vamerasi. Game 4 of the day saw BA(G) pitched against a credible Spanish side Architecture, by now the BA(G) squad had totally dominated the competition. The Spanish proved useful opponents in the fist half restricting BA(G) to two trys scored by Gnrs "Scoobie" Duilomaloma and Sauliga from 12 Regt RA. Not to be outdone newcomer LCpl Humphrey's (3 Bn REME) dislayed his pace added his name to the list of scorers in the second half and was trusted with kicking duties for the remainder of the game. BA(G) were eventual winners 47 - 5.

Old Eltonians from the midlands did not fair better in the semi final stages of the competition against BA(G). BA(G) fitness and organisation were coming to the fore as teams visibly weakened during the day to such an extent the BA(G) physio, Maj Russ Booth (3 Bn REME) was fully employed patching up referees, the opposition, as well as his own charges. Old Eltonians held BA(G) to a 54 - 5 score line.

THE FINAL BA(G) 36 - 12 Irish DNA

After much reshuffling and backroom discussions it transpired that to offer credible opposition to BA(G) the Irish side DNA would coopt the use of a number of player from within the competition. In a search for competition it was agreed upon and BA(G) would go up against a very much bolstered Irish Seven. The first 3 minutes of the game saw the closest competition of the day with neither side able to break each others defence. BA(G) finally capitalised on the opposition weakness and was able to run in a procession of tries before the half time whistle. Most notable was a break up the blind side from the BA(G) 22 by Pte Tagidugu (1 DWR) who was able to release Pte Tony Karavaki (1 DWR) to score under the sticks. BA(G) turned round at 24 - 0. DNA were to take the upper hand for the first four minutes of the 10 minute half by scoring twice before a BA(G) response. With the score at 24 - 12 the game could have gone either way were it not for the assuredness of Vaudreu and Duilomloma who were instrumental in the two tries BA(G) scored in the later stages of the game. Again Vaudreu stepped up to the mark and ran in after an excellent break by Scoobie Duilomloma. BA(G) retained their title 36 -12.

During the customary after match prayer rumour was abound that for the fist time in a number of years a BA(G) player was to receive the much sought after player of the tournament. Pte Kim Vaudreu (2 CS Regt RLC) received the plaudits of all teams and officials and was duly given the honour of player of the tournament.