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Robin Heymann

Last year I had a conversation with my cousin who was lamenting the cost of tickets for rugby internationals at a certain stadium in West London.

He has two children, one of which is unlucky enough to be my godson, and wanted to give them a day out. With them residing in East Anglia, I suggested a nearby tournament to where he lives instead.

The ULR Sevens.

Bury St Edmunds might not sound like the most glamorous location to take in some rugby, but last year’s inaugural sevens tournament not only attracted the likes Northampton Saints but England (St.George) Wales (Warriors) and some of the best invitational sides out there. The said cousin came back full of praise, for a cost of next to nothing the kids had seen some of the best sevens players in the land on his doorstep. Perfect. 

They weren’t the only ones happy. With the second staging of the tournament set for this Sunday the big sides are back again in one of the most competitive events around.

One competition, 16 quality sides with no dead wood. This is an event that just concentrates on excellence with International, Premiership, Invitational, Clubs, and Universities all expected at The Haberden.

“This is a showcase for the highest standard of rugby to be seen in East Anglia this year,” says Event Organiser Mike Robinson.

“I am sure that this will be even better than last year, both in terms quality of rugby and enjoyment for the spectators. It is very exciting.”

Last year saw a Chris Ashton inspired Northampton Saints prosper, beating Samurai 28-15 in a excting final. As well as Ashton, the Saints included former England Sevens players such as Nills Mordt and John Brake.
But what impressed me was the competiveness of proceedings throughout. The likes of Cambridge University beating Wales and Blackheath just pipped by a young England Sevens side, 15-14.

One-sided results are an obvious and unavoidable feature of any Sevens tournament but by limiting an event to 16 sides, the same number used on the majority of the increasingly competitive IRB Sevens World Series, the gap is closed between participants.

So how and why has Bury managed to entice teams ahead of other tournaments in helping to build such a promising product?

The ‘Terry Sands Factor’ is an obvious reason. The founder and Managing Director of Samauri Sportswear and former England Sevens Manager is also the Director of Senior Rugby at Bury St Edmunds RFC. With such a heavy log of contacts and sevens experience in his locker, thanks to his Samurai International side, Sands felt Bury was equipped to host an elite event.

Club provide ideal sevens venue

“Terry came to us with a proposal that we should be running a high quality international standard Sevens tournament and would we prepared to put on the resources to make it happen,” explains Robinson

“We have the best facilities in East Anglia and some high quality pitches with an all-weather surface to train on. Location-wise it is a good fit here and with the good organisation we have here that impressed the teams is a factor for the quality.”

The addition of three international sides into Sunday’s draw is a big coup and an added incentive to get people through the gates. For Wales and England it gives a platform for some realistic game time and a chance to run through patterns ahead of the London and Edinburgh legs that bring the current 09/10 IRB Sevens World Series campaign to a close.

With coach Ben Ryan present it gives prospective England Sevens wannabes playing a chance to impress ahead of the National Sevens Series.

An added touch for the event is the inclusion of Latvia, providing an ideal development tool for the side ahead of the FIRA European Championships. Robinson admits that they think that a combination of strategy and luck on working out a suitable weekend for the tournament seems to have paid off.

“When deciding on a date we tried to find one that didn't clash with other tournaments, but would fit around the major team's schedules, and obviously with a bit of good judgement and a bit of luck and it has worked out well for us.”

“We’ve had a link with Latvia ever since we have toured there and we have had their coach over to see how we work our 15s and they want to learn. When they heard about the sevens here they wanted to be part of it. It’s good to see an international flavour in there.”

Samurai and ID look for early edge

From an invitational team standpoint it is our first look at Samurai International in Europe this season. They have been busier the most of the sides already in 2010 though playing in Darwin, finishing runners-up at the Hong Kong Tens, and winning the Las Vegas Invitational.

With the Premiership, Championship and many other UK teams still involved in fixtures this weekend, the Samurai Team has been selected in true invitation team fashion with players of many different nationalities. Included are French, Welsh, Scottish, English and New Zealand players who will no doubt be itching to don the famous jersey.

“A lack of preparation time will almost definitely make the teams task a difficult one this weekend. Coach Eugene Martin must rely on good old Sevens experience to help the team to perform to their normal high standards,” says Terry Sands"

“Kiwi, Jimmy Maher will captain the side ably assisted by his fellow countryman Chad Shepherd as vice-captain. Ali Rowe, Joe Govett and JB Aldige will all win their first Samurai caps at the event.”

Another side with a big season ahead of them is beaten Plate finalists Olorun ID (formally Elite ID) who remain a bit of unknown quantity still.

With his only their second year in existence the ID, winners in New York in 2008, have the ability to upset the very best but under the leadership of the young but experienced Danny Pointon, they will look for greater consistency this year.

With Bury St Edmunds priding themselves on a strong youth set-up there is plenty for the likes of my godson and his pals to do with amusements, exhibitions, and Internationals such as James Haskell and Dave Strettle will be around for photos and autographs. Bury see the youngsters as potential avenue for expansion for future years but as of yet Robinson and co are in no rush to change a winning formula yet. 

“With regard to expansion we have talked about having a parallel junior event alongside the main comp. We don’t want to try and do too much too soon. Learn our lessons from this year and potentially expand next year,” says Robinson.

That said Robinson hinted of the event’s desire to eventually join the National Sevens Series that is starting in England next month. It illustrates the determination and drive of the event which has impressed many in such a short space of time. 
 

2010 ULR Sevens Pools

Pool A: Northampton Saint, Kamikaze, Blackheath, Ruislip

Pool B: Warriors, Irish Wolverines, Apache, Bury Gents

Pool C: Warriors, Olorun ID, Cambridge Uni, Porksworders

Pool D: Samurai, Marauders, Latvia, Southend