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By Jonathan Hobbs

As the inaugural Bournemouth 7s event in 2008 was such a roaring success, trying to better it in 2009 had seemed like a tough ask. However, with a remit from players and fans of “more of the same, please” the organisers duly stuck to the format that had worked so well and simply expanded the competition to accommodate more teams and attract more spectators. Coupled with the scorching weather, the tournament managed to surpass expectations once again, and is rapidly turning into one of the more established events of its kind on the European 7s circuit.

There are clearly two types of team who attend this event: those present to win rugby matches and those looking to party with rugby as a welcomed aside. The beauty of staging so many cups alongside each other (six two-day cups and a host of Sunday-only competitions) is that there is genuinely a level for everyone.

In the Invitational Cup the play was exemplary, the standard not far off the international boys playing at the London 7s, which was also being broadcasted on the big screen. Day one saw notable performances from Stash All-Stars, White Hart Marauders, Kooga Wailers and Koru Kamikaze – all setting down markers by winning their groups with relative ease. A couple of length of the field efforts from the All-Stars’ Sailosi Tagicakibau, supported by the likes of Stefan and Delon Armitage, James Bailey, and Dom Shabbo leaving the crowd in no doubt that the reigning champions were going to feature strongly in the latter stages.

Meeting them in the Quarter-Finals on day two were the St. Mary’s Silverbacks, whose runner-up placing in their group was a fantastic achievement for a team made up of a bunch of University mates. However, the professionalism and individual skill of the All-Stars made the difference as they ran out comfortable winners 38-10.

Healthy Quarter-Final wins were also evident for the Kooga Wailers vs. RuckU Spartans (49-0) and the Samurai Barracudas vs. White Hart Marauders (52-7). The Barracudas putting aside the disappointment of their group runner-up position to knock out one of the more fancied sides, in Kinsale winners, The White Hart Marauders. The work ethic and pace of the Barracuda’s team proved too much for Howard Graham’s Marauders team as they ran out comfortable winners by 52 – 7. A tight match in the fourth Quarter-Final between Koru Kamikaze and The Scorpions really got the crowd on their feet, by now swelling in number and thoroughly enjoying the proceedings on the main pitch. The Scorpions ended up the winners, by 19-5.

The victory took a physical toll on the Scorpions as they struggled to hit the same performance level in their semi-final against the ever improving Samurai Barracudas under the reins of Mark Hewett and Mark Dean, who cruised to a 28-7 victory, with Jake Abbot imposing himself in matching the opponents physicality.

The Stash All-Stars met the Kooga Wailers in the other Semi-Final and eeked out a tense victory by the skin of their teeth, the Wailers relinquishing possession in the dying seconds having been unable to score the try that would have taken them to extra-time at least, losing 24-19.

With the crowd growing and the sun still beating down, the Samurai Barracudas and the Stash All-Stars took to the pitch to contest the final. Having already played each other in the group stage, the All-Stars were confident of another victory to retain their trophy. The difference in playing style was notable with the All-Stars looking to their individuals to make the telling breaks and the Barracudas playing the patient team tactics – keeping their two pace men on the wings and the ball alive until a gap was exposed.

The teams were never more than a score apart throughout and as the clock ran down the Barracudas could sense victory, leading 19-17 thanks to a brace from Wasps’ Mark Odejobi. The All-Stars still looked to have plenty in the tank but just couldn’t break the line for a final try and were desperate not to have been able to retain their trophy. The Barracudas were excellent value for their victory and proved what we all know and love about the game: a match of sevens can be won or lost by the tightest of margins and on their day the underdog can beat the favourite.

The tier below the Invitation Cup sees teams battle it out for the South of England Cup. Brendon Daniel led Oakmeadians to a thrilling Bournemouth Sevens triumph.

The former Bath and New Zealand sevens star played a key role as Oaks avenged last season’s South West Cup final defeat to Bournemouth by shocking the Lions at Chapel Gate yesterday.

In a fitting finale to another successful festival, Oaks claimed the South of England Cup honours with an exciting 26-24 victory over their fierce rivals, who they had lost to earlier in the weekend at the group stages.

With all the finals played on the main pitch in front of the appreciative grandstand, teams at all levels had their moment in the spotlight. The other competitions were won by the following:

Invitational Plate: Akuma Scorpions defeated Team Onfire (41-14)
Ladies Invitational Cup: Henley Hawks defeated Moody Cows (27-15)
Ladies Invitational Plate: Supermarine defeated Hammersmith & Fulham (19-12)
Open Cup: Shake ‘n’ Bake Boys defeated Templars (32-20)
Open Plate: Lymm RFC defeated Bournemouth University (52-0)
Guinness Cup: Warlingham Warriors defeated Hove Barbarians (28-5)
Guinness Plate: Phantoms defeated Old Walcountians (26-12)
South of England Plate: AECC defeated St Paul’s Pirates (33-19)

Yet for many Bournemouth 7s is much more than just the rugby and one of the hottest venues to be at during the British Bank Holiday weekend. With a funfair, multiple activity marquees (no hands massage, Red Bull zone, Nintendo Wii tents) Jacuzzis, Big TVs, and a plethora of other entertainment to keep the masses occupied. Saturday and Sunday night have fancy dress themes to get everyone into party mode and a large stage with live bands keeps everyone dancing into the early hours. Also present are a number of rugby personalities who seem genuinely happy to be part of the proceedings with the likes of Olly Barkley and Lewis Moody doing the rounds in the autographs and photos stakes.

One particular memory the last song of the set on Saturday night with a crowd-involved rendition of Hey Jude by the Beatles. Unfortunately for the security and cleaners who wanted everyone to go home, the crowd decided to sing an encore that lasted for a full 15 minutes and carried on most of the way back to the campsite – a memorable evening...a memorable weekend!

 Jonathan Hobbs also writes for The Rugby Blog.