Reporter: Andy Hickling

What a great year the team has had, not only in terms of results, but locations played in, development of players, identification of new players and a new infrastructure in terms of team organisation and administration.

So where does one start. No better place than the beginning and a cold and wet windy night in May at the London Floodlight Sevens, held at Roslyn Park. A competition held on the same day as the Army Sevens in Aldershot it meant hands were tied and there was no option to blood new players and give youngsters a chance. For the record, the Army won the competition, beating London Wasps in the final and accounting for London Irish in the semis.

Following this the team played what now seems to be its annual visit to Scotland to play what in affect are trial games at the Royal Scots Sevens. Also in what seems to becoming an annual event the Royal Scots won the final against an Army Seven in the last minute. In all seriousness this event gives up to 25 Army players the opportunity to display their talent and put themselves in the shop widow for the big tournaments to come.

So what of the big tournaments? First the Cayman Isles International event and, an event that attracts top teams from around the globe. To say one individual referee marred the event would be an understatement (54 yellow cards in a sevens event!) In affect the Army played marvellous rugby and were pitted in the final against the champion club side from Fiji. The event became a non-event when the Army were reduced to 5 players for 14 of the 20 minutes. One has to be honest and question on the day if the team would have coped with a magnificent Fiji 7 but it would have been nice to have played on a level playing filed.

Cayman lead to London on two successive weekends, the inaugural Compass International tournament at the stoop followed by the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham. What a difference a week makes and after an abysmal showing at the Compass event the team played sublime sevens to walk away, for a second time in 4 years, with coveted title of Middlesex Sevens Champions. From the big stage to Harpenden, an event that was to lay he foundations for Army Sevens for the foreseeable future. With a young team and a new Director Rugby the team laid firm foundations for the way ahead. Although knocked out at the semi final stages there was enough evidence to suggest big things were on the horizon.

And so to Singapore, with a new captain, and to an event that the Army had not only never won but also had never reached the final of.

In what has to be said was the most perfect rugby sevens week and the best the team has ever performed, the team at last wrestled the Singapore Sevens away from the dominance of Southern Hemisphere teams.

Mark Lee - Army Sevens Captain

The two major goals for the season achieved, it was back to giving new blood a chance and a totally new venue, New York and Manhattan. Losing in the final was no disgrace and 3 new players were discovered who I have no doubt will represent the team next season in the major events.

So to finish where we started, what a great season. The players and management fully appreciate just what a privilege it is to represent the Army Sevens team and hope that their performance on the field of play justifies there time away from their primary role, that of being officers and soldiers in the British Army.

All would like to thank Commanding Officers and those who are left to fill the gaps that they leave behind when they play for the Army. Without the great support of Units the team would not exist.

The final icing on the cake is the award of:

Combined Services Sports team of the Year

This recognises not just the team but also all of you who have made it possible.

Thank you all