By Rich
July 11 2002

Saints are hoping to field a strong squad in the 2002 Middlesex Charity Sevens. They will face Bristol in the first round of a tournament in a draw that features all 12 premiership clubs, plus Bradford RL and Wigan RL, The Princess of Wales Regiment and current champions British Army. Saints plan to include Jon Sleightholme, Andrew Blowers, Steve Thompson, Nick Beal and James Brooks in their squad for this years Middlesex charity sevens. This news adds weight to the rumours that Jon Sleightholme will be returning to first team action after two years in an administration role.

In the past two seasons the Middlesex sevens has changed from a tournament played in May (usually directly opposite the FA cup) for local sides with entry by invitation to a few sides outside of the Middlesex Rugby Union to a pre-season festival for the Zurich Premiership that takes place in August. The Tournament was started in 1929 and the most successful side are Harlequins. They haven’t won it for quite a while; in fact the last English club side to win the Middlesex sevens was leicester in 1995. The winners for the last ten years are as follows:

2001 British Army
2000 Penguins
1999 Penguins
1998 Barbarians
1997 Barbarians
1996 Wigan RL
1995 leicester
1994 Bath
1993 Wasps
1992 Western Samoa

As it’s name implies the Middlesex Charity sevens Tournament is more than just a good day out on the beer. In the past 10 years, whilst the invitation sides, Wigan RL and the Army have been embarrassing the top clubs, £3 million has been raised for the Wavell Wakefield Rugby Union Youth trust and the Middlesex County Rugby Football Union Memorial Fund. Both charities provide for those less fortunate and they give money to community projects for sports development and provide for those injured through their sport.

Saints have reached the semi final stages on the last two occasions. In 2000 they lost a close fought semi-final to Saracens 26-28 after beating Bristol 28-10 and London Welsh 54-7 in the earlier rounds.

Last year Saints beat Worcester 45-0 and then London Irish 19-14 before running into Newcastle and in particular Epi Taione, their inability to cope with the Tongans pace and power cost them place in the final as the Falcons swept Saints aside 7-31.

The club are giving away tickets for the day, worth £23 to members who renew their season ticket before the 12th of July. So there should be plenty of Saints fans down at HQ cheering them on and hoping to go all the way this year. Saints match against Bristol kicks off at 12.40.