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The Cup quarter-finals have been decided at the opening leg of the inaugural National Sevens Series from London’s RugbyRocks.

12 teams have battled it out at Richmond Athletic Ground with the top two from each of the four groups qualifying for the Cup. The four bottom place teams head to the Plate.

Cup quarter-finals:
Akuma Smurfs v Esher
British Army v Apache
HFW Wailers v Gilbert Pups
Samurai v WH Marauders

Plate semi-finals:
French Pyreness v Olorun
Raging Bull Ronin v Irish Raiders

National Sevens Series RugbyRocks - Final Group Standings

Group A: 1.Akuma Smurfs (6pts), 2. Gilbert Pups (3), 3. French Pyrenees (0)
Group B: 1. HFW Wailers (8pts), 2. Esher (4), 3. Olorun ID (1)
Group C: 1. British Army (8pts), 2. WH Marauders (4), 3. Ronin (0)
Group D: 1. Samurai International (8pts), 2. Apache (5), 3. Irish Raiders (0)

National Sevens Series Group Summary - RugbyRocks

Group A

Gilbert Pups 14 French Pyrenees 10

French Pryrenees forward Ismael Slayki scores the very first National Sevens Series try at Rugby Rocks. But after a shaky start, it’s the Gilbert Pups who emerge eventual winners 14-10.

Gilbert Pups 10 Akuma Smurfs 19

A spirited second half fightback from the Pups gave this game a little drama, but the Akuma Smurfs held firm and emerged victors, 19-10. Tries for the Welshmen coming from Alan Awcock, Nathan Williams and Steve Taylor.

French Pyrenees 17 Akuma Smurfs 19

The French visitors started with a bang with scores from Ghislan Montiel and Lionel Dutilh combined with some abrasive defence giving them a slim lead at the half. But second period tries from Ed Lewis-Pratt and Nathan Trowbridge eventually gave Akuma Smurfs the win and first position in the group.  

Group B

HFW Wailers 26 Olorun ID 19

Barking’s Dave Vincent pushed Olorun ID into an early 0-12 lead but the Waillers’ patience paid off with tries for Hamish Smales and Scotland international Scott Riddell pulling them back level. Tyson Lewis’ second half brace proved the difference though for the Wailers who came through to win 24-19.

HFW Wailers 38 Esher 12

Wailers proved too clinical for the invited Esher with Tyson Lewis again impressing scoring an impressive brace. Hodgson, Akinluyi, and Harrison also went over to secure the win. Odejobi and Rob Kirby efforts got Esher on the board.

Olorun ID 5 Esher 24

The newly promoted Championship side showed some excellent skills and phase play in this game to ease past a lacklustre Olorun ID. James Stephenson scored outstanding team try for Esher, finishing off a length of the field effort.

Group C

WH Marauders 12 Army 24

Two tries either side of the half for the Army made sure of a confidence boosting win against rivals the Marauders. Consolation tries for the Marauders came from Adam Bishop and Lee McLaughlin with the Army taking it 12-24.

WH Marauders 26 Ronin 17

Despite an early Marauders try to the impressive Charlie Walker, it was Ronin who hit back scoring two quick tries. But the Marauders’ sevens nous and dominance at the breakdown took over and second half tries from Jake Henry and Drew Locke proved crucial in securing their first win of the day.

British Army 27 RB Ronin 10

Two tries from skipper Mark Lee helped the Army cruise past the plucky Raging Bull Ronin 27-10. Late scores for Ronin’s Ashley Kalnins and captain Matt Goode added some respectability to the score.

Group D

Samurai International 22 Apache 21

Samurai started their National Series campaign scratchily coming from behind to beat a spirited Apache 22-21. Tries from Dan Connolly, James Greenwood and a Will Jones interception gave Apache hope of a shock. But Simon Hunt and Oriol Ripol crossed for Samurai with Geoff Griffiths try at the death sealing the win.

Samurai International 33 Irish Raiders 21

A hat-trick from Simon Hunt and a double from Geoff Griffiths proved the difference for Samurai against the Raiders. But slack defending allowed the Irish to score with Dohbrey and Massey Tuhakalaina’s crossing the whitewash in the second half.

Apache 24 Irish Raiders 5

Apache booked their quarter-final spot with a morale boosting win. The Irish took the lead through captain Hugh Hogan until Apache hit back. The pick of the tries coming from Will Jones and Cambridge Blues James Greenwood and Sandy Reid.