Army Sevens Advance
Summer Season 2006

Singapore Sevens - 4-5 Nov 06
Cobra Malaysia International Tens - 5-11 Sep 06
Harpenden Sevens - 3 Sep 06
Middlesex Sevens - 12 Aug 06
Henley Sevens - 6 Aug 06
Worthing Sevens - 17-18 Jul 06
Safari Rugby Sevens - 29-30 Jun 06
Marbella Rugby Sevens - 3-4 Jun 06
London Floodlight Sevens - 10 May 06
Introduction to the Season

Singapore International Rugby 7s - 4-5 Nov 06
Army 7s knocked out in the Quarter Finals by the tournament winners Ponsonby

Reporter: Adie Mycroft

As you will be aware the Army 7s squad have just returned from the 59th Singapore 7s tournament, this being the finale to the 7s season. We left England with a strong side and all personnel were fit and ready to take part in a competition that is regarded as the world club 7s championship.

After a long 12 hour flight which was full to capacity, it did not leave too much extra room for the larger players within the squad to move around and losing 8 hours with the time difference we landed in Singapore some 20 hours later. Having settled into the Hotel it didn't take the team long to get into the game of rugby, as on the first morning we had a very intensive 3 hour training season along side the USA Eagles, which was quite difficult due to the heat and humidity.

Army 7's training on their first day

Army 7s Team

Player/Capt - Pte A Qolikibua 1 Scots
Player - Capt M Honeybunn RA
Player - Lt M Lee 1 Scots
Player - LCpl M Koroiyadi RLC
Player - LCpl M Magnus RLC
Player - LCpl P Tawayaga 3 Scots
Player - LCpl Z Vakasawaqa AGC
Player - LCpl K Vaudreu RLC
Player - LCpl B Bulamakau 1 Scots
Player - Pte J Kava RLC
Player - Pte D Damudamu ITC Catterick
Player - Tpr M Saulailai RSDG
Senior Coach - Lt Col A Hickling R Signals
Director Army 7s - Capt A Mycroft RLC
Physio - Maj A Neaves RAMC
Bagman - WO2 B Cordy WG

Within the Squad we had 2 new players, LCpl Magnus & LCpl Koroiyadi which has been the pattern throughout the whole of this season to introduce new players to the squad and therefore showing there is no closed door to Army rugby. So for ALL young thriving talented players out there, we are looking and listening to your coaches and managers.

After training and playing matches we still carry out the practice of ice bathing, as seen with Pte Damudamu and of course the fuel intake to keep the tank full. After two more days of intensive training the whole squad worked hard and looked very sharp, so it was now time for a rest day before the 1st day of the competition, the squad used this wisely to recharge their batteries and take in a few of the Singapore sights.

The 1st day of the competition was an early start at 0800 hrs as the Army team kicked off the competition versus Casuarina from Australia, after what seemed a very quick 14 minutes the Army blew away Casuarina 59-0. As the players moved on to rehydrate and entered the ice bath the coaching staff stayed on to view the next game of Palmyra and NS Wanderers, the two other sides in our league.

Once ice bathed the Squad returned to the Hotel for breakfast and rest before the next game at 1136 hrs versus Palmyra, who were a stronger side than the previous game and with the Army making a few unusual handling errors the score line was not as large but still a comfortable win 26-5, followed by the same routine rehydrate and ice bathing before moving back to the Hotel for lunch and rest.

Army 7's win the ball against Palmyra

The last game of the day was not until 1700 hrs versus NS Wanderers which saw the Army team record the biggest win of the competition 73-0, everything at this stage just seemed to be going to plan but we knew the 2nd day was not going to be an easy affair, with the players ice bathed and rehydrated the Squad moved back to the Hotel for rub downs and the team evening meal followed by an early night.

The 2nd day was a 1006 hrs start versus Impala, a strong side from Kenya and the Army played well, though the coaching staff noticed the team had been so good at keeping the ball and attacking thus the moment we didn't have the ball we were a little slow to set a defence pattern which was a concern. However the Army still won 36-7 and we knew the 2nd game of the day was always going to be the hardest one as the general comment around the whole stadium was the winner of the next game Army versus Ponsonby from New Zealand would be odds on to win the overall competition.

The stadium was full expecting a good game and they were not disappointed as both sides did not hold back at all. There was a very fast start to the game with some big hits made in defence and the Army struggling to get the ball, so the score soon went 14-0 to Ponsonby. Before long we gained possession of the ball and scored restarted and regained the ball to score again bringing the half time score to 14-14. Ponsonby kicked off the second half and regained the ball to score 2 tries one after the other, similar to the 1st half and the Army regained the ball to score again, however it wasn't over Ponsonby regained the ball to score and finish the game 35-19 and therefore ended the Army's run in Singapore 2006 7's competition. As predicted by many Ponsonby went on to win the overall competition.

At the squads last team meal before the flight home we said an emotional farewell to Andy Hickling, who had announced his retirement from Army 7's Rugby and had a small presentation and a speech from Andy Hickling which left a lump in all our throats, as he will be sadly missed by all the players and the management team.

Army squad at Singapore airport waiting for the return flight to UK the day after the competition had ended and also the day after a very entertaining evening at the players dinner. Looking forward to returning in 2007 to what is arguably the best 7s competition in the world and this will be Singapore's 60th competition.

Day 1 - Pool 1 results

Day 2 - Results

Army 7s (36) v Impala (7)
Army 7s (17) v Ponsonby (36) (Quarter Finals)

BA (G) 7s (26) v Palmyra (5)
BA (G) 7s (12) v Hong Kong Dragons (17) (Quarter Finals)

Read about the BA (G) 7s

Read more at www.sccrugbysevens.com

Posted: 12 Nov 06

Cobra Malaysia International Tens - 5-11 Sep 06
Army beat Australian Legends to win the bowl competition 26-10

Reporter: Andy Hickling

The Army, for the third successive year, entered a team in the International Tens in KL Malaysia. As in previous years the standard of opposition was world class with club level teams from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, South Africa, and the Far East. These quality teams there further enhanced by the inclusion of 2 guest teams - the Penguins fielding a team of current internationals and the Belgium Barbarian, both of which added spice to the event.

The aim of the Army entering this tournament is to give talented uncapped players the opportunity to play on the big stage in a big stadium and under pressure. Previous years have seen players blooded at this tournament go on to gain their Army cap. This year's team comprised of 8 capped players a 6 uncapped players. In terms of results and performance of players the trip was a resounding success with all 6 of the uncapped players worthy of inclusion in the enlarged elite senior squad prior to Christmas. What is really encouraging is that 2 of the players are already well up to the standard required to start in an inter service fixture.

In regards to the tournament the Army played 6 games won 4 drew 1 and lost 1.

The team came away with silverware winning the bowl competition in fine style. In the semi finals the team defeated the NZ North Island Mori team having already drawn with the South island Maori team in the group stages of the competition.The final saw the team pitted against a very strong Australian Legends team who knocked the team out of the tournament the previous year. After a shaky start the Army took control of the game and ran out winners 26 points to 10 with Joe Kava scoring a fine hat trick

.

Team gets ready to play the final


The sun does not always shine in Malaysia

The team that travelled to Malaysia

Cpl Ben Hughes (skipper)- 25 Eng Regt
L/Cpl Phil Lewis - 1 Welsh Guards
L/Cpl Melvin Lewis - 1 Welsh Guards
Cpl Darrell Ball - Defence Geographic centre
Spr Richie Orzel - 23 Eng Regt
Cpl JB Beart - 30 Sig Regt
Pte Joe Kava - 23 Pnr Regt
L/Cpl Maku Koroiyadi - 33 Fd Hospital
Lt Stu Ball - ITC Catterick
Capt Adrian Twyning - (AGC Legal) Land Warfare Centre Warminster
Lt Mark Lee - 1 Scots
L/Cpl Zac Vakasawaqa - AGC (SPS) HQ 39 Inf Bde
Cpl Andy Parkinson - 21 Sig Regt
Spr Naka Nacamavuto - 21 Eng Regt

Maj Gary Stocks - 17 Port and Maritime Regt - Manager
Lt Col Andy Hickling - London District – Coach
Sgt Daz Percy - Resources manger- DCL Deepcut
Lt Col Gareth Thomas - Headley Court - Physiotherapist

Other players that impressed throughout the tournament were new comer Maku Koroiyadi, Mark Lee and Zac Vakasawaqa who has represented the Army throughout this season's sevens competitions.

Ben Hughes, a stalwart of Army rugby, skippered the team superbly throughout the trip.

Finally the event organisers were kind enough to recognise that this season is the ARU's centenary season and the team presented with a magnificent birthday cake decorated with the centenary motif. Read more...

Posted: 12 Sep 06

Harpenden English Sevens - 3 Sep 06
Army are Runners up 14-17

Reporter: Andy Hickling

After the great day out at Twickenham the Sevens team competed in the Harpenden Sevens for the seventh consecutive year. In a changed format form previous years and one has to say a far improved format, the Army played in the Elite competition and faced some very stern opposition. Playing well in their pool games they came through with ease scoring over 140 points for and conceding only 14. The quarter final was an all together different affair with the team pitted against the Welsh Development Seven in the disguise of Samurai.

The Army gained revenge for the recent defeat at Henley and leading 7 -5 at half time they ran out comfortable winners, scoring a further 28 unanswered points in the second half. Likewise in the semi final against a regular guest team on the sevens circuit the Army proved far to powerful scoring some 40 point against 7.

The final was always going to be difficult playing a very strong Marauders 7's with 10 minutes each way after already playing 5 games. The Army lead throughout the game and leading by 14 to 12 with all time gone, an unforced error by the Army led to England scrum half Andy Gomersall crossing for a try to see Marauders run out winners 17 to 14.

Army Sevens Team

Pte Lutu 23 Pnr Regt RLC
LCpl Swann 23 Pnr Regt RLC
LCpl Vaudreu 9 Sup Regt RLC
LCpl Tawayaga 3 Scots
LCpl Bulunakau 1 Scots
Pte Qolikibua 1 Scots
Cpl Tuikoru 3 Yorks
Capt Smith RMAS
Lcpl Burenivklu 3 Yorks
Tpr Tuitubou RSDG
Tpr Saulailai RSDG
Pte Banicau 3 Lancs

Many positives came from the day not least that the policy of continually trying to identify new talent was again top of the agenda and the round of summer competitions has certainly identified an abundance of players able to compete at the top level of club sevens. The task ahead now is to identify and select the strongest 12 players to represent the Army in Singapore in early November.

Posted: 5 Sep 06

Middlesex Sevens - Twickenham - 12 Aug 06
Army Romp at Twickenham 38-7

Reporter: Andy Hickling

What a difference a year makes. Sadly the Middlesex Sevens has had to move with the times and is now an all premiership affair.

Fortunately the Army because of their successful past association with the event were invited to play for the Presidents cup before the final of the competition.

Playing in front of a crowd approaching 25,000 the Army were able to put on a great display against Rosslyn park the winners of the Middlesex Club Sevens. The flair of the team certainly came to the fore and it was also very pleasing that a number of new individuals were able to be introduced to the big stage of Twickenham.

The day was also a very special day for 5 members of the team:
    Tpr Saulailai - RSDG
    LCpl Swann - 23 Pnr Regt RLC
    LCpl Vuadreu - 9 Sup Regt RLC
    LCpl Tawayaga - 3 Scots
    LCpl Vakasawaka - HQ 39 Bde NI
who had reached the milestone of 5 representative tournaments so we presented them with their Army Sevens caps. It was a particularly special moment as the caps were presented by Ian McGeechan, ex-British Lions player and coach and Wasp Director of Rugby and reaffirmed the Army's continuing relationship with the London Wasps.

Army Sevens Team

Tpr Saulailai - RSDG
Pte Kava - 23 Pnr Regt RLC
Cpl Parkinson - 21 Sig Regt
LCpl Lutu - 23 Regt RLC
LCpl Rasovo - 17 P & M Regt RLC
LCpl Vuadreu - 9 Sup Regt RLC
Pte Qolikibua (Capt)- 1 Scots
LCpl Vakasawaka - HQ 39 Bde NI
LCpl Tawayaga - 3 Scots
LCpl Swann - 23 Pnr Regt RLC
Capt Honeybunn - 39 Regt RA
LCpl Burenivalu - 3 Yorks

Try scorers were:
  Pte Qolikibua (Capt) - 1 Scots
  Tpr Saulailai - RSDG
  LCpl Swann - 23 Pnr Regt RLC (x 2)
  Cpl Parkinson - 21 Sig Regt
  Capt Honeybunn - 39 Regt RA

Army Sevens Team at Middlesex Sevens 2006

Posted: 15 August 06

Reporter: Roger Thompson

In a special exhibition match an Army 7 romped past Rosslyn Park at the famous Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham on 12th August.

Many of the senior Army players were unavailable, the Heathrow security alert being a last straw on the eve of the game. Nevertheless the team was led out by Epeli Qolikibua (1 R Scots) in the shadow of Joe Kava (RLC) and proved much too strong in pace and the control of space for the Middlesex County club champions.

Qolikibua opened the scoring from the Army goal line doing a 'smoke and mirrors act' before running the length of the pitch. Mark Honeybunn (RA) fitted well into the Fijian patterns and was rewarded with a fine score in the corner.

Filipe Tawayaga (3R Scots) and Kameli Vuadreu (RLC) had far too much guile and sevens experience for the Park. Alex Swann (RLC) used his raw speed to score two tries without a hand being laid anywhere near him.

But for a 'gon fishing' phase in the middle this ad hoc Army team played well, they drew an appreciative applause with every try and showed there is still huge sentiment for the British Army in the Twickenham crowd. The Army ran out winners 38pts-7 to lift the Kennard Lott Trophy.

Army 7s at Middlesex 7's

Former Gunner officer Josh Lewsey scores for Wasps v Harlequins

That said the main competition, now the domain of the professional game alone, has moved on massively since the days of Army triumphs in the early 2000s. Even a full Army team would have played second fiddle to the likes of London Wasps and Harlequins and might have found trouble getting past Worcester and Bristol.

The star for the Winners London Wasps was player of the Tournament and top try scorer former Gunner officer and England international Josh Lewsey who is, in a World Cup season, back to his best form.

Read more at www.middlesex7s.co.uk

Posted: 14 August 06

Henley Sevens - Henley - 6 Aug 06

Reporter: Andy Hickling

The Army team arrived at Henley high in confidence having successfully defended their Worthing title the previous weekend.

It quickly became apparent that the previous weekends exploits of 7 games in one day had taken their toil and the Army looked very jaded in their first game. They eventually ran out easy winners but the whole team knew that if they were to have any chance of winning the Henley tournament a much improved performance against Samurai in their quarter final game would be required.

The Army did play a lot better against Samurai but in a close fought encounter Samurai scored the decisive try with the last play of the game to progress into the semi final by one score.

In something of a strange format the Army then had to play a further game against the guest team from Russia, Dynamo Moscow. In a very good game of sevens the Army ran out winners by 4 tries to 2 but the points difference was insufficient for the team to feature in the second tier final.

Army Sevens Team

LCpl Jope - 1 RGBWLI
Tpr Saulailai - RSDG
Pte Kava - 23 Pnr Regt RLC
LCpl Vuadreu - 9 Sup Regt RLC
Pte Oqlikibua - 1 Scots
LCpl Vakasawaka - HQ 39 Bde NI
LCpl Tawayaga - 3 Scots
LCpl Bulunakau (Capt)- 1 Scots
Pte Mataisau - 1 Scots
LCpl Burenivalu - 3 Yorks

All in all a disappointing day but one that still saw the Army well received by the crowd, organisers and the other teams present.

Interestingly the tournament was won by Scorpions the team that the Army had defeated the previously weekend in the final of the Worthing tournament.

Event the exhbition match at the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham 12 Aug 06-

Army Sevens Team at Henley Sevens 2006

Posted: 15 August 06

Worthing Sevens - Worthing - 29-30 Jul 06
Army successfully defends its title

Reporter: Andy Hickling

Since returning from the Safari Sevens it has not been a quite time for the players neither have they had the chance to put their feet up and rest. Andy Hickling has gathered the elite players together twice in Aldershot and conducted hard, intense training days, in what were conditions matching those the Sevens team play in in the Far East. The main aim of these sessions was to prepare the teams for the up coming Sevens tournaments at Worthing, Henley, Twickenham and Harpenden and the Malaysia Tens competition in KL.

The Worthing Sevens which is to be known from now on as the longest Sevens in the world - read on and you will see why.

The team were more than surprised when they arrived, to defend their title, to discover that to win the competition they had to play seven games. Given that the norm is 4 and certainly no more than 5, this was going to be a very high hill to climb.

The team got off to the worst possible start when Pte Max Racava 1 Scots suffered a horrendous knee injury in the second minute of the first game. Sadly the injury required surgery and Max was admitted to hospital. Army rugby wish him a speedy recovery.

This injury certainly spurred the team on and in hot humid condition the team played dazzling sevens to reach the final with some ease. The final was against a guest team, named the Scorpions, comprising premiership Academy and Div 1 players and was an altogether different affair from their previous games. The game saw some of the uglier side of rugby that the Army team does not normally see, but nevertheless the Army got stuck in. The Army very quickly went 2 tries down only to immediately bounce back and take a lead that was never surrendered. In the end the team ran out winners 35 points to 31.

Apart from a couple of unsavoury incidents in the final, which were no fault of the Army, it was once again a great day for the Army Sevens team.

Army Sevens Team

L/Cpl Alex Swan 23 Pnr Regt
Pte Joe Kave 23 Pnr Regt
Lt Mark Honeybunn 39 Regt RA
LCpl Jope Ladu 1 RGBWLI
LCpl Phillipe Tawayaga 3 Scots
LCpl Bull Bulumakau 1 Scots
Pte Qolikibua 1 Scots
Pte Kitty Rawali 1 Scots
Pte Max Mataisau 1 Scots
Pte Max Racava 1 Scots
Lt Mark Lee 1 Scots
Kgn Yabia 2 Lancs
LCpl Vakasawaka AGC HQ 39 Inf Bde

The whole team played remarkably well, all players being totally on top of their game. In particular Zac Vakasawaka, AGC HQ 39 Inf Bde is very quickly establishing himself as the star of the team and I am delighted to be able to report that his skills are very much transferable to the Senior XV team and I see him making a massive impact post Christmas in the run up to the Inter-service championships.

A day that saw the team leave their hotel at 0845, collect the winners trophy at 1945 and sit round a fellow players bed at 2200 will certainly go down as not the easiest of days!

Posted: 1 August 06

Safari Sevens - Kenya - 17-18 Jun 06

Reporter: Andy Hickling

Following on from the Sevens competition in Spain I yet again selected a different squad of players to compete in the highly competitive Safari Sevens held in Nairobi over the weekend 17/18 June. This trip saw the Army returning to the Safari Sevens after an absence of 3 years.

Visiting Kenya is not only about playing rugby but also about spreading the development of the game and taking the game to areas not over familiar with it.

On this particular trip the squad were to visit a school that had never even seen a rugby ball never mind played the game. There is no doubt the experience was a highly emotional experience for everyone. The Bethlehem school, in the village of Sowetho, on the outskirts of Nairobi, was one of the most deprived areas any of the team had ever visited. The team were accompanied on their visit by the Defence Attaché and the Project Officer from the British High Commission. With no running water or sanitation, life in the village was certainly hard and not for the faint hearted. The school was home to over 200 children, the majority of who were orphans due to the HIV virus. Every child wanted attention and love and all wanted to have their hand held.

Army Sevens Team

LCpl Alex Swan 23 Pnr Regt
LCpl Phillipe Tawayaga 3 Scots
Capt Ed Smith 1 DWR
Pte Bunny Burenivklu 1 DWR
Tpr Jim Tuitubou RSDG
Kgn Saki Yabia
LCpl Rab Rabuli 1 Green Howards
LCpl Bull Bulamakau 1 Scots (RS)
Pte Epeli Qolikibua 1 Scots (RS)
Lt Mark Lee 1 Scots (RS)
Sgt Mal Roberts 9 Sp Regt RLC
Cpl Zac Vakasawaka HQ 39 Bde

The team, after a welcoming song, took the children to what they described as their play area and what we would class as a refuge tip. Rugby is a great game and a great tool for communication and fun. Very quickly competitive games were established and the joy on the children's faces was a fantastic sight. After an hour in the heat of the midday sun the team were wilting but not the children. Activities were drawn to a close with the Army team singing to the children and the children in turn singing to the team. The team and the children returned to the confines of the school and the children were served lunch by the players in the form of a banana, a glass of milk and a samosa provide by the British High Commission. Each child was also given a t-shirt and some Army memorabilia. There is absolutely no doubt this was on of the most rewarding experiences the Army rugby team has had in my seven years of travelling. So much so we have undertaken to stay in touch and make a positive contribution to the school's well being. Read more

      

And so to the rugby, one has to say after an experience like the Bethlehem school life and rugby are certainly brought well and truly into perspective. But we were here to represent the Army at rugby and represent the Army well the team certainly did. The competition was of the highest quality with Emerging Springboks, France and Kenya fresh from the IRB Sevens series, Bristol and the Natal Sharks and Western Province from South Africa providing the sternest of opposition.

Drawn in not the easiest pools, having been seeded 6th, the Army had a very good first day playing some highly exciting and attractive sevens. Beating Uganda and Tanzania with ease the final pool game against what was the South African second seven proved to stern at test for what is still a developing Army team. Although the Army challenged well until the final few minutes a final score of 42 to 19 did reflect the superior pace that the Springboks had over the Army team.

Scores

Army 7s (21) v Zimbabwe (26) - 18 Jun
Army 7s (14) v West Province (12) - 18 Jun
Army 7s (19) v Springboks (42) - 17 Jun
Army 7s (35) v Tanzania (0) - 17 Jun
Army 7s (50) v Uganda Kobs (0) - 17 Jun

A quarter final against Western Province was always going to be a tough encounter and I was delighted that some of the youngsters certainly came of age and fought back from conceding an early score to run out winners 14 to 12. I t was a performance for grit and determination to match some of the better Army performances of old. The semi final was against Zimbabwe an international team in their own right and a team that had spent 4 weeks preparing for the tournament, involving a training camp in Europe and 3 warm up tournaments. In a very disappointing game which saw the Army conceded 2 soft early tries, then to take the lead and then again surrender, it was Zimbabwe that managed to draw away in the dying seconds to win 26 to 21. A very disappointing end to a superb trip. We set our sights high and failed to reach the summit. What is very pleasing is that Zac Vakasawaka, a new comer to Army Sevens and a returning old face Philippe Tawayaga played extremely well and are great additions to the current Army Sevens squad.

It is now all efforts focused on the inaugural Bath tournament to be played on the Rec over the weekend 29/30 July and the Henley International Sevens on the 6 August.

Read more at www.safarisevens.com

Posted: 20 June 2006

Marbella Rugby Sevens - Spain - 3-4 Jun 06

A squad of 12 players were selected to travel to Spain to take part in a club event in Marbella.

In what was a very good completion with quality teams that compete on the circuit throughout the summer a young Army team again performed very well losing by 1 try in the semi-final to the eventual winners.

Army Sevens Team

Capt Smith 1 DWR
LCpl Rabuli 1 GH
LCpl Swann 23 Pnr Regt RLC
Pte Lagilagi 1 Stafford
Pte Tagidugu 1 DWR
Gnr Davuiqalita 16 Regt RA
Pte Nainunu 1 Stafford
Kgn Yabia 1 Kings
Pte Burenivalu 1 DWR
LCpl Tuikoro 1 DWR
LCpl Tawayaga 1 BW
Tpr Tuitubuv RSDG

Posted: 8 June 2006

London Floodlight Sevens - 10 May 06

The Army played in the London Floodlight Sevens at Rosslyn Park on the Wednesday (10 May 06) following Army v Navy match at Twickenham.

This event gave a number of youngsters the opportunity to play in a red shirt and endeavour to stake a claim for a regular place in the Army Sevens team.

The team equipped themselves remarkably well and after a great victory over Wasp in the semi-final unfortunately lost 21-33 in a very tight final to a strong Saracens 7's team.

Round 1 - British Army (26) v Richmond (21)
Semi-finals - British Army (19) v London Wasps (17)
Finals - British Army (21) v Saracens 33

Army Sevens Team

Pte Magnus 17 P&M Regt RLC
Pte Rasovo 17 P&M Regt RLC
Pte Kava 23 Pnr Regt RLC
Pte Rockadrava 23 Pnr Regt RLC
Pte Cabemaikadavu 23 Pnr Regt RLC
LCpl Shazaz 23 Pnr Regt RLC
LCpl Rokomatu 23 Pnr Regt RLC
LCpl Swann 23 Pnr Regt RLC
LCpl Koroiyadi 33 Fld Hosp
Pte Vaudreu 1 LSR
Pte Matanavou 23 Pnr Regt RLC
Spr Nacamavacu 21 Regt RE

Army Sevens Team at London Floodlight Sevens 2006

Posted: 8 June 2006

Introduction to the Army Sevens Summer Season

Reporter: Andy Hickling

Although the XV's season has drawn to a close it doesn't mean the end of Army representative rugby. There has been a hive of activity on the Sevens front with many comings and goings of both players and management.

Andy Hickling, as Director of Elite Rugby remains at the helm with Captain Adie Mycroft, RLC as Director Sevens. Adie will be ably assisted by WO2 Byron Cordy, Welsh Guards. Medical cover continues to be overseen by Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Thomas who always ensures that the correct level of experience is available to all players

Once again a challenging and varied programme has been put together by Andy Hickling and will certainly challenge players and management if they are to deliver results. Already it has become apparent that this is not going to be the easiest of seasons in respect of player availability, given the commitment that units have already given to the Senior XV and the ongoing deployments on operations around the globe.

The proposed fixtures are:

• London Floodlight Sevens, London - 10 May 06 @ www.rosslynpark.co.uk
• Marbella Rugby Sevens, Spain - 3-4 Jun 06 @ www.marbellasevens.com
• Tusker Safari Sevens, Kenya - 16-19 Jun 06 @ www.safarisevens.com
• Bath Olympic Sevens, Bath 29-30 Jul 06 @ www.bathsportsfestival.com - Cancelled
• Worthing Sevens, Worthing - 29-30 July 06 (Army Development 7 will be defending the title)
• Henley International Sevens, Henley - 6 Aug 06
• Middlesex Sevens - Exhibition match, Twickenham - 12 Aug 06 @ www.middlesex7s.co.uk
• Harpenden English Club, Harpenden - 3 Sep 06
• Malaysian International Cobra Competition (10s), Malaysia - 5-11 Sep 06
• Singapore Sevens, Singapore - 1-6 Nov 06 @ www.singaporesevens.com
• Dubai Sevens, Dubai UAE - 27-30 Nov 06 @ www.dubairugby7s.com

The season started on a high note when Andy was allowed to instigate a new format to the Army Inter Unit Sevens. The format followed that used by the IRB sevens and it ensured maximum games for all units and also allowed players to be viewed easily by selectors. - See Army Sevens Unit Competition report

Posted: 8 June 2006