The time has come for the final leg of the National Series and I have rented a beach hut for the weekend for myself and the missus! Why not?! It’s party time!

I’m looking forward to what promises to be a dramatic day of rugby. The title is still up for grabs for Samurai and the British Army and with the Wailers all but having sealed qualification for the Middlesex Sevens, eyes are on Smurfs, White Hart Marauders and Gilbert Pups as they go for the remaining spot.

With the draw and squad announcements having made the tournament even more interesting, I am going to have a go for the final time this year at predicting the outcome of the games and of course the overall standings.

National Sevens Series - Newquay Surf Sevens

Group A. 1st. British Army, 2nd Akuma Smurfs, 3rd. Apache

The British Army are nothing but clinical in the group stages. Wessells and Prasad will make sure they don't slip up here, although if they come second here it could set them up for a quarter-final against Samurai, which interestingly could boost their Series hopes if they could knock them out. I see them winning both of their group games by 10-12 points. The Smurfs will then knock Apache into the Plate, benefiting from some continuity of selection that Apache haven’t really had.

Group B. 1st. Samurai International, 2nd. Ronin, 3rd. Kamikaze

Samurai also know how to be professional in theses early games. Although Ronin pushed them closer last week they will run out winners by 3 scores. Kamikaze have done well this year in the Open arena and playing the top and bottom sides of the series sees them taking on the opposite ends of the spectrum. But I don't see them getting a win and will lose both games by a couple of scores.

Group C. 1st Gilbert Pups, 2nd Olorun ID, 3rd. Handstand Harlequins

The Pups are not as strong as they were in Manchester and have a side similar to the one that made the quarters in the West Country. Olorun/Pups could actually be a cracking game. But I am going with the in-from Pups. At this point I would usually say that Olorun would then struggle in the following game. But I think Handstand will be surprised by their standard and lose out in both of their games.

Group D. 1st HFW Wailers, 2nd. White Hart Marauders, 3rd Force XV Froggies

The final group is really interesting with Marauders failing to get a seed for this week. Then we have the guest team the Froggies who could be unpredictable like Les Bleus were in the West Country. My gut feeling is that the core sides will win here with so much on the line, but don’t be surprised if the French spoil the party. Imagine either the Marauders or the Wailers in the Plate?! It could happen. Wailers to nick two wins and the Marauders to split.

Cup Quarter Finals

#1 British Army v Ronin

Ronin will be pleased to make it this far but the Army will be too strong for the Midlands boys who have something to build on for next season. Gus Q and Bunny offer too much out wide and once again the unorthodox possession game will see The Reds through by 20 points.

Winners - British Army

#2 Gilbert Pups v White Hart Marauders

My heart tells me one thing and my head the other. After years of writing about sevens, I am going with my head. The experience of Alex Cuthbert and Ifan Evans will more than make up for the missing Miles Mantella and take the qualification spot from the Pups. That being said, if the Pups get into the Hampshire(?!) lads then I would not be surprised to see the reverse. I am looking forward to this one.

Winners - White Hart Marauders

#3 Samurai International v The Akuma Smurfs

The result of this game will much depend on the Welshmen rather than the Series leaders. The Smurfs are good enough to achieve the biggest surprise of the season and make the semi-finals but they have a tendency to start slowly. Against Samurai that will see them two to three scores down at the break. I don't think the drama is going to happen in the quarters and Samurai will get the win.

Winners - Samurai International

#4 HFW Wailers v Olorun ID

These two have faced each other a couple of times this season. One has been close and the other a rout - both in favour of the Wailers. It would be great to see Olorun get the shock but it's not going to happen and they will head off to Sailors Nightclub for an early start to the end of season celebrations. The Smales brothers and Riddell will just have too much.

Winners - HFW Wailers

Plate Semi-Finals

#1 Apache v Kamikaze

Apache will be hurting about being in the Plate for the second tournament in succession. Yes they have struggled in the group stages but they are fundamentally a good side. Their quality will shine through in this game and I can see them running out comfortable winners against a game Kamikaze side.

Winners - Apache

#2 Handstand Harlequins v Force XV Froggies

Akin to Les Bleus at West Country, after finding their feet the French will begin to play some quality sevens. Handstand, the local lads, could be facing a tough one as the experienced Gilbouin will lead the Froggies into the Plate final with some joue!

Winners - Froggies

Cup Semi-Finals

#1 British Army v HFW Wailers

Crunch time! These two put on a cracker when they played in the West Country and I expect nothing different here. I just have this funny feeling about the Wailers and can see them turning the Army men over and finally making the final they have worked so hard for. They have so much pace and even without the ball winning work of Aaron Myers will catch the Army cold and end their hopes of catching Samurai.

Winners - HFW Wailers

#2 Samurai International v White Hart Marauders

It could be tough for Samurai to come out with the Series already over as a contest. But if they can get up for any game then it's against their old rivals! I have been thinking about this game for the past two days. From what I have heard about the squads assembled I am taking a punt on the Marauders to shock the world and make the final. Again the experience of the Marauders’ IRB men, Cuthbert and Evans, will be interestingly placed against their countrymen Lewis and Beech. We are in for a cracking game but I just feel it’s the Marauders time.

Winners - White Hart Marauders

Plate Final

Apache v Force XV Froggies

This will be another great Plate final pitting two very different styles against one another. The more traditional Apache are very balanced with the feet of Hawken and Reid and speed of Greenwood. They will face the unusual French style that is more reliant on the individual. Apache will be wanting to finish the Series in style though with some handy prizemoney for their night out and some confidence for next year. At this level belief is paramount and Apache will pull themselves through in another dramatic National Series final.

Winners - Apache

Cup Final

HFW Wailers v White Hart Marauders

No one expected this final and I am sure if I speak to a couple of the team managers tomorrow they will give me some lip for predicting this. But I can see it happening and part of me wants it to happen. Both sides are better than the 'Bridesmaids' they have become to Samurai/Army. The Wailers will be buoyed from beating the Marauders earlier in the day but this one is going to go back and forth. The Marauders’ luck is going to run out though and their tougher route to the final is going to take its toll. The Wailers have the stomach for a strong finish and taking their maiden National Series title.

Winners - HFW Wailers

I have stuck my neck on the line by predicting a few upsets and a dramatic final day’s action in Cornwall. The Wailers to take the Newquay title but the champagne will be going to Samurai as they take the overall championship. The final standings will look like this.

1st. Samurai International - 68pts
2nd. British Army -60pts
3rd. HFW Wailers - 56pts
4th. White Hart Marauders - 48pts
5th.Gilbert Pups - 42pts
6th. Akuma Smurfs - 40pts
=7th. Apache - 32pts
=7th. Olorun ID - 32pts
9th. Ronin - 26pts

I will be back next week, with a 'Seven Things I Think' piece about the National Series.

For now, I’m heading down to Fistral to do some bodyboarding at a very reasonable £12 rental hire. As I said earlier, why not?!

Keep it 7s

JB