By Stockers
August 20 2003

On Saturday 16 August 2003, Ten Saintsmen took to the pitch at Twickenham in the Middlesex Sevens tournament. Would they go one step further than their predecessors in the Gold Black & Green who played in previous Sevens finals at the home of English rugby? Would this year be different? Would our hopes of 2002 be dashed early in the tournament again? Would Ten Saintsmen go one step further than their Saints' sevens teams of the past and than their own efforts against the Fijian packed might of the British Army who had defeated them so convincingly on the banks of the River Thames at Henley only six days before? Would the rigours of playing through to the final on the hottest day ever recorded have taken its toll?

It didn't seem to have taken its toll on The Army who bedazzled the crowd in the early rounds at Twickenham with their Pacific Islands' mastery of the shortened game and in equal measure worried the massed ranks of enthusiastic Saints fans assembled in the East Stand. Given the draw, it seemed likely that the Henley finalists would meet again this day and The Army were causing concern.

After a slightly stuttering start against the Premiership newcomers, Rotherham, the Ten Saintsmen moved more smoothly through the following rounds, winning each game comfortably and conceding only one try per game. This tightness of defence, such a hallmark of Northampton's 15 a side play last season, was to continue through to the end of the final.

A semi final challenge by Bath promised to be a stern test, with their star player, Joe Mbu, looking rather too much like Jonah Lomu for comfort as he steamrollered opponents in earlier rounds. But by the time the semi final arrived, Mr Mbu's bolier seemed to be low on pressure and the Ten Saintsmen were through to the final. By then it was known that the other finalists would not be The Army and its Fijian wonder-players but instead Newcastle Falcons. The Geordies had managed to get in The Army's faces before the soldiers had even answered the bugle call for the semi final reveile and three Newcastle tries, followed by tight defence, saw the clock run down before some Fijian magic could be worked.

In a way it was a pity. The Ten Saintsmen were hoping for revenge after their Henley defeat and the jungle drums from Franklins Gardens had told of hard training and determination to even the tally against The Army. However, the way in which Falcons had despatched the Red Devils meant that they had to be respected and the final would be no stroll in the park.

As Twickenham bathed in ever brighter sunshine and the obligatory streakers had shown us all they had to offer ( including one very inventive gentleman who gained access to the empty North Stand and appeared and disappeared down un-stewarded walkways ), the Plate Final went to Gloucester and the stage was set for a rather unexpected final line up. The Saints supporters in the East Stand were, by now, well practiced in the singing of well known airs and chants. They had provided by far the loudest and most consistent support of all the teams throughout the afternoon and the Ten Saintsmen knew that, as ever, the Gardens faithful were truly making Twickenham a "home" fixture.

The seven Saintsmen chosen to start the final emerged from the tunnel alongside their opponents and followed by their substitutes and back room team. Twickenham positively throbbed with cheering and the strains of Two Tribes playing over the loudspeakers, closely followed by Saint's familiar anthem. The final of the Middlesex Sevens 2003 kicked off and Saints were to go behind for the first time in the tournament. A mistake gifted a try to Falcons but that was only consistency at work with the single try conceded, out of the way and no more points were to be scored by Newcastle. The Saintsmen ran up 31 points with some sparkling tries, most coming in the second half. The Saintsmen also showed gritty determination in defence and reputedly the quickest player in Newcastle and England was caught from behind by reputedly the smallest Saintsman with the longest hair, who gave him a ten metre start, presumably just for fun. A try by the Geordies was saved and after that you knew it was All Saints Day.

The clock ran down to zero, the whistle blew for no side and the scoreboard read 31 - 5 in favour of the Saints.

Twickenham, or at least a part of it, went wild and the Ten Saintsmen and their coach, physios and water-boys celebrated, moving first to one corner to wave to their families before being lead by their captain up the long staircase to the Committee Box to receve the trophy. To the familiar chant of "Come on you Saints" the trophy was brought across the pitch, held aloft, to be presented to the massed ranks in the East Stand. The sun was shining on the deliriously happy Saints faithful and glinting on the historic trophy which their heroes had just collected.

A great day at the office and much eager anticipation from the supporters for the season ahead after this Twickenham hors d'ouvre.

Oh, and why "Saintsmen?"

Because each man had only that word on the back of his gold black and green shirt, above his number. It was truly a team effort. Of course there were stars on the day, who have made the headlines but that was on the day. There was clearly a lot more hard work in the run up to the tournament as well and, for that, all Saintsmen involved are to be congratulated.


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