By Stockers
August 16 2004

With the warmth of the summer sun still suggesting that rugby shouldn't yet be contemplated, let alone played, it can only mean that it's Sevens time, the most lung bursting and exhausting form of the oval ball game It requires a contrasting mix of the fitness of youth and the nous of having played the game for some seasons to really develop the game at the top level. Bruce Reihana is a first class exponent of the short form game and led his country to a Commonwealth Games gold medal at Manchester as well as playing a major part in Saints success in 2003. Sadly he and many of the other Saints stars from the trophy winning side of last year were absent this time, replaced with a young team, admittedly 4 of whom have played 7's at international level.

On an afternoon when the stark financial realities of pro rugby were brought into focus with the news that Rotherham scratched from the tournament due to financial problems, giving the Army a bye into the next round, Saints opened their campaign with against London Welsh who, we should all remember put a lacklustre Tigers 7 away in last years tournament, having stood in at the last minute as reserves for another no show team. Not a team to take lightly then!

We didn't and defeated them 39-0 with 7 tries from newcomers Wylie Human, Neil Starling and John "Rhino" Rudd as well as from old favourites Andy Vilk, Paul Diggin and Chris Hyndman. The score would have been even higher but John Clarke clearly hasn't been practising his drop kicks and many sailed wide.

At 2.10 pm Saints took to the field in the quater final against our old friends and enemies, London Irish. And, 15 minutes later our afternoon ended, as Irish squeezed through 19-12 having blitzed Saints with 12 points in the opening 3 minutes.

The young Saintsmen tried to bring the game back and were level at 12-12, 1 minute into the second half, through tries by Vilk and Starling but playing 7's with a 15 a side brain on won't work. Ignoring a three man overlap and taking the ball into a ruck brings no points and Human aimlessly kicked to the Irish midfield which led eventually to their third try and no way back for Saints. Defeat at 19-12 meant an early exit for us and no repeat of last years glory.

The silverware went to the 7th Fijian Regiment (aka The British Army), some of whose team members have recently returned from active service in Iraq and the Falklands and yet wrere able to show us how 7's should be played in an exciting final against Gloucester for whom James Bailey stood out and will be a force to be reckoned with in their back division this season.

The plate was won by Falcons who brought an experienced team to the tournament and clearly hadn't come just to make up the numbers or give their Academy a run out.

Also of interest to Saints fans was the strong performance of Loughborough Uni, who lost in the plate final to Falcons but for whom Ulf and Tombleson showed up well and we will hopefully see both in Saints colours soon. Tombleson particularly demonstrated the ability to run strongly with ball in hand and reminded me a bit of Harvey Thorneycroft with his muscular build and eagerness to take on his opponents.

So, disappointment for Saints, for whom Mark H's "hope" was not enough and if we want to win this event again, a stronger selection will be needed. However, Alan Solomon's pre season build up is his business and he is undoubtedly keeping his quality players fresh for more important things............or even Bath!