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RugbyRocks presented by PUMA returned to Richmond earlier this month. Over 4,000 showed up to
take in the sunshine, rugby, music and beers on a beautiful day at The Athletic Ground. This year the
event included over 130 teams following a partnership with London 10s & Touch Festival which saw
action taking place on Old Deer Park as well as the main arena.

The event also played host to the new Super Sevens Series. The series, which pits the country’s
leading invitational sides together across three tournaments, runs across RugbyRocks, West Country
7s (18 June) and Newquay Surf 7s (2 July).

With England 7s coach Ben Ryan and assistant Russell Earnshaw in attendance players were keen to
impress. For further inspiration the winning side would be offered a place at next month’s Vauxhall
Middlesex Charity 7s (Samurai and The Army are already invited to Middlesex so in the event of
them winning the highest placed of the remaining sides would qualify).

Large crowds gathered around the main pitch as the tournament reached its conclusion. The first
quarter final saw Samurai Barracudas defeat Apache, while the Gilbert Pups saw of the White Hart
Marauders 29 – 19 minutes later. The British Army confidently saw off the KIRK Petro Pyrenees
before Championship side Esher edged HFW Wailers by a couple of scores.

The Barracudas went up through the gears for their semi-final tie against the impressive Gilbert Pups
with a 35 – 7 victory. There was some joy for the Pups who as a result of their finishing position at
RugbyRocks have now qualified for the Vauxhall Middlesex Charity 7s in July. In the second semi-
final The Army took down last year’s finalists Esher RFC by 24 – 14.

So the final of the opening leg of the Super Sevens Series would see pre-tournament favourites
Samurai Barracudas and The Army meeting in the final game of the day. An epic encounter final
swung Samurai’s way in the final seconds of the game with Tommi Jones breaking away to go over
for the decisive score. The Barracudas emerged victorious 33 – 24. In the plate competition Olurun
Sharks ran out 24 -15 winners against Ronin Impact.

The ScrumQueens.com Women’s Elite final was an outstanding contest between England Women’s
7s and defending champions Wooden Spoon. There was fine play from both sides with Wooden
Spoon able to turnover England ball on several occasions before ruthlessly taking their chances.
Wooden Spoon retained the title they won in 2010 running out 14 – 7 victors. The win follows a
impressive tournament victories in Kinsale and Manchester Rugby 7s earlier this year. Meanwhile,
the ScrumQueens.com Women’s Open was won by the Pirates who defeated Wasps Ladies in the
final.

The men’s Open was won by Welsh fan favourites Carmarthen Warriors who took home the Andy
Ripley Trophy, dedicated in memory of the England and Lions legend who died of prostate cancer
last June. The Warriors, semi-finalists in 2010, took the trophy after defeating Stash Sharks 31-21 in
the final having already overcome stiff competition from the Apache Braves and the West Country
Cavaliers in the earlier knockout rounds. In the plate, last year’s runners up POD 7s defeated an excellent Maximuscle Tackles Staines side by 26 – 7.

This year also saw the introduction of a women’s netball competition to the festival. The 18 team
tournament was eventually won by the Jaeger Bombs who defeated Lavender Park in the final, with
Barnes Netball Club taking home the plate.

With the rugby and netball complete, players and spectators – including a host of Aviva Premiership
rugby stars such Nick Abendanon, Alex Corbisiero, George Lowe and England 7s stars Greg Barden,
Ollie Lindsay-Hague and Chris Cracknell – turned their attentions to the evening’s entertainment
and the bar! As the sun set The Fetts took to the stage followed by the headline act, The Pigeon
Detectives. After an electic 45 set the Yorkshire lads handed over to Xfm DJ Eddy Temple who played
into the night.

Over 30 teams were on show on ‘Social Sunday’ and despite the weather taking a turn for the worse
there was some good rugby on show. The 16 team RugbyRocks Men’s Social was eventually won by
Team Tekkers who triumphed in the rain against The Catholic Boys Association in the final. The day
also included plenty for the kids with coaching from Saracens RFC.

The festival returns next year in Richmond, but next up for RugbyRocks is the launch of an Edinburgh
7s and hockey event on 30 July followed by a major after-party.

RugbyRocks Edinburgh

The sports and music continues as RugbyRocks prepares to hit another capital city this summer!
RugbyRocks Edinburgh launches on July the 30th at the state-of-the-art Meggetland Sports Complex,
Edinburgh. The new event will feature men’s and women’s 7s competitions, touch rugby and mixed
hockey followed by an after-party at the heart of Edinburgh town centre.

To enter your side please contact andy@rugbyrocks7s.com for an entry form.

(Write Up Provided by UK Rugby Sevens Magazine and Ed Kemp of Rugby Rocks)