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Tommi Hughes of Elite ID and Samurai International has been lucky enough to get himself a summer in the USA playing for National Championship contenders NOVA from Washington. UR7s have helped two up-and-coming 7s players from the UK find teams to play for in America this summer (the other being Hamish Smales of the Kooga Wailers) and both will be keeping the UR7s community up to date with what they get up to, who they meet, the landscape of 7s in America, and finally how NOVA get on throughout the summer as they build up another assault for National glory.

It’s been another very busy time for me in the US of A over the last two weeks. There’s been Men’s and Women’s tournaments, two new English boys, recruitment drives and Jenny the Jeep!!!!

A couple of weekends NOVA Rugby’s home tournament, played on the battlefield grounds, which somewhat looked a little gloomy due to the cloudy grey skies up above. First game up was against Washington with many boys playing from Hyde Rugby, who have close links to UR7s. They started off with an understanding that they were going to take the game to us, coming out hard by playing well in the 1st half with NOVA just in front 2-1. I came on second half still holding onto a touch and go knee injury. We came out fighting this half with plenty of enthusiasm and eye catching rugby and eventually our fitness paid off as we ran in 4 unanswered tries to win the game 38-5.

Next game up was Schuylkill River a very solid team who we knew were going to be a little more challenging. With captain Scottie Fraser leading the way NOVA were off to a great start and went into the half 10-0 up. The second half was a hard fought contest with blows being traded and rugby from both teams not being played at its potential with the eventual final score reading NOVA 20 Schuylkill River 5.

Final game of the group stages was Maryland Exiles who had somewhat promised a top squad featuring past Kenyan IRB players and future talent, it proved wrong as NOVA showed them how it was done and even though Maryland were trying everything to disrupt patterns of play maturity and patience came through and NOVA topped the group.

Into the last four and it was NOVA, playing against a tough Wilmington side who were sporting jerseys that resembled what we would describe in the UK as "You've been Tangoed!"

They came out fighting but it was one of those days for us where the bounce of the ball was massively in our favour, one try in particular where Scottie Fraser kicked off and on the charge prop Freddie (aka Wolverine) caught in on the full to score straight under the sticks.

After a bit of handbags from Wilmington, the ref finally blew his whistle and the boys where heading into the final - where they would meet Schuylkill River again!

The Final though was a different story many people would have bet their mortgages on NOVA triumphing as Schuylkill had to play extra time their semi and only had a 10 minute break till the final (whereas we had 45 mins and had won our semi easily). But 7s is a funny old game and it often doesn’t go all to plan!

Schuylkill were still playing as if it was sudden death giving it everything they had, going over early. NOVA responded well and came back with a try of our own but that that was pretty much our only joy of a frustrating Final. First what looked like a blatant missed obstruction from the referee let Schuylkill in for the score. All the NOVA boys had stopped due to belief that the penalty would be called - I suppose the saying play to the whistle should be noted! From that point on NOVA seemed to mentally switch off, being reactive rather than proactive in the way we went about our play. Further soft tries were conceded and we eventually went down 28-5. Thoroughly disappointing.

The girls on the other hand had more success with NOVA 1 running out winners again and beating everyone in their path. NOVA 2 put in a solid performance in the group stages but fell to old foes Maryland Exiles who we seem to play at least 2-3 times every tournament! So overall a good day for NOVA with both top teams making the finals.

That Night everyone met at the NOVA rugby house aka the hospital/my house. It was good to share some laughs listen to a Rock Band before heading into DC to the Black Rooster. I hasten to add was on the Lemonades – being 20 has it perks, honest!

Last week by has been fairly quiet with many of the NOVA boys rested ahead of Cape Fear.. The Ladies went up to PAC with me acting as Head Coach for all teams along with Beth. Scottie (my roomie) was away apparently working in North Dakota (a nice change form his Gym/Shuttles regime). The Ladies came away with yet another unbeaten run and strongly proved their readiness ahead of this weekend. NOVA 2, had somewhat a depleted squad and came out 4th losing to both Maryland and Washington Furies, even though both games were easily win-able.

I have recently been joined out here by a fellow Englishmen, Hamish Smales, who plays for Launceston RFC and the Kooga Wailers and David Smith. David played for England at the IRB in Wellington in 2007 and also plays for young England, Samurai and Elite ID. With both the boys here we went and collected our beauty Jenny the Jeep and for a mini adventure turned a 20 minute ride home into a 50 minute tour of the local interstates and highways!!!!
So Ahead to Cape Fear where Marchwood Dolphins (British Army and Isoa Damudamu), Omback RFC, Old Blue and many other top teams await. NOVA will be staying at BG's House Just outside Wilmington and spending Independance Day with Al Caravelli the current USA National 7s Coach.

Looking forward to telling you how we get on next week!

Tommi