By Midge
April 10 2003

A trip to the Hong Kong 7s is probably high on every rugby supporters wish list, so a free trip is almost rugby heaven. If I had a pound for everytime someone called me a jammy git then I’d already be booking for next year, but the tickets were booked four idiots had dropped out so someone had to go Hong Kong itself is something of a culture shock, for a start I felt tall for the first time in my life, and it’s a real hustling bustling place. Skyscapers covered in bamboo scaffolding fill you with so much confidence you really want to ask for a ground floor hotel room. But we were welcomed at the hotel by Gareth Chilcott and as he was getting the first round in we quickly forgot. And then the first shock £5 a pint!!!!! Thank god for friends with company expense accounts.

The first day is spent sightseeing to Kowloon and Victorias Peak, followed by a serious nights drinking and our first mistake……vodka jellies! “ But it’s the rugby tomorrow” “Don’t worry Midge it doesn’t start till 5pm” “OK one more vodka jelly please”

Hong Kong rugby stadium is a fabulous sight. Like a clam shell opening, two huge stands tower over the pitch. The first day is really just a warm up both on and off the pitch. Easy mismatches for the big boys and the chance for try scoring glory for the minnows. The ref’s have been given a zero tolerance policy and yellow cards showered and spoiled the play, with at one point 5 England players taking on 4 Singaporeans
The French, Italians and Argentinians decided to stay at home after the Iraqi information minister said they were about to invade and were replaced by Holland, Namibia and Tonga. All performed admirably and Kenya upset the locals by beating Hong Kong.

Rugby is a pleasant side issue to the drinking of beer, brought to your seat by attractive young ladies wearing very short skirts. One step nearer rugby heaven. Beer, Pims or barbeque cuttlefish the choice is yours and KFC will sell you anything on the menu as long as you buy a jug of beer.

Saturday morning and an early start to a full day of rugby with each team playing twice. Australia are roundly booed by everyone and the announcement that “ENGLAND ARE IN THE HOUSE” has the stadium rocking. Loud music and videos keep the party going and the place to be is the South stand, party central. It’s full of rugby clubs, stag and hen do’s and private school students spending daddies money. One Scottish conversion knocks the full beer jugs straight out of one guys hands who turn straight round and orders 2 more.
And then the icing on the cake…..Kenya beat the Ozzies. No-one kicks penalties in 7’s but 30,000 scream at Kenya to take the three as the clock ticks down, another step closer.



Sunday is finals day and Kenyas heroics mean England face Australia. Ugo and co turn it on and we happily wave goodbye to the Ozzies, stick to cricket guys.

Next up are Fiji and without Serevi are a shadow of the usual Fijian team. The refs have decided to put the yellow cards away but one brutal assault on Ugo who disappeared through a hoarding, really warrants a red and only gets a penalty. Getting up and scoring is the best response and England move on to a final with the All Blacks who won a tough semi with South Africa.
Meanwhile Canada with ND on their backs beat Scotland in the plate and dedicate the victory to Nick.

The final started with a quick try to New Zealand but then the moment of the weekend. Ugo accelerates in to the NZ half and the crowd rises to its feet. Ugo slips and as he gets back up 2 all blacks move in for the kill. A quick sidestep leaves 2 on the floor and a blast to the line carries 2 more over as he scores. Superb.
England are brilliant and Henry Paul runs the show, Greening runs superb supporting lines and Ugo and Haughton finish off the All Blacks. Great game and great result…..rugby heaven? Not quite.

It’s still 2 hours till kick off in Dublin and the perfect rugby weekend gets the perfect ending. Rugby Nirvana.

I’m saving for next year…anyone else fancy it?


Thanks to everyone at QC Supplies