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Robin Heymann

For the majority of the UK’s top rugby players thoughts have swiftly turned to the start of their respective 15-a-side campaigns with the new season creeping upon up as usual from nowhere. The thrills, spills, and bright lights of Brighton, Newquay, Bournemouth, and Manchester are but a distant memory for many players as they negotiate their way through the monotony of their pre-season and mind boggling pod systems.

But hold those horses! Let’s not turn our back on our beautiful game quite so quickly as the Autumnal chill permeates the UK, there’s one last fiesta for enthusiasts of the abbreviated code.

The Harpenden National Sevens is ready once again to host a plethora of strutting sevens posers, fans, and kids alike at their humble abode this coming Sunday.

JPR and Edwards pave the way

Hertfordshire might not be able to offer the ideal party and beachside fiesta that other tournaments around the UK can, but one of its organisers, Simon Payne, still feel it plays an important part in the make-up of the UK scene.

“A lot of other tournaments offer things that we can’t – both Newquay and Bournemouth offer the sea and (normally) excellent weather. But Harpenden Pub 7s is steeped in history – some big names from rugby have played there including JPR Williams and Gareth Edwards,” said Payne.

Beyond welcoming Welsh legends the event has seen big names such Andy Gomersall, Dan Luger, Topsy Ojo, Neil De Kock turn out for some familiar sides in recent years. The club’s has also helped develop two quality international Sevens players in the USA’s Chris Wyles and Arabian Gulf’s Jonny Macdonald who both went through the junior ranks.

“Yes- its been fantastic to have high calibre of player attend and play in the competition. But, it’s extra satisfaction that both Chris and Jonny came through the Harpenden youth set representing the club at all age groups, including the first team.

"This augers well for a club reliant on youth and local talent – as we have another exciting crop of young stars just breaking into the 1st team – last year’s under 17s won the national cup.”

Access denied

With the event so close to the start of the UK season perhaps, the organisers deserve credit for still being able to bring in some pretty big teams despite the worry of not always getting access to players. Some might argue its poor timing, others would say it’s another opportunity for game-time and not half bad for the fitness tank.

“There are pitfalls and benefits of organizing a massive tournament so close to the beginning of the domestic season. Sometimes teams are unable (but not unwilling) to field their strongest sides as national league teams won’t release their players from their contracts for risk of injury,” added Payne.

Nonetheless with the likes of the White Hart Marauders, Apache, Saracens Academy, and Samurai Barracudas lining up as perhaps major contenders in the ‘Elite’ competition, there’s no need to panic as the event won’t be dry on talent.

With the Army pulling out of the event, it gives a perfect opportunity for some pretty major honors to be taken. Although draw dependent don’t be surprised to see a repeat of last year’s final between Barracudas and White Hart Marauders.

In fact there was no sole winner last year thanks to peculiarly abrasive weather conditions that forced the unfortunate cancellation of the final. The Marauders are always strong but can they get themselves up for Harpendon after their Twickenham experiences at the recent Middlesex Sevens? If not the Barracudas are ready to pounce.

Barracudas continue to nurture

‘Last year yeah the weather was horrific, thunder lightning and cars even filling with water,” says founder of Samurai Barracudas - Mark Dean.

The Barracudas, set up in 2007 by Dean, is a feeder team to their illustrious forefathers, Samurai International. Over the years the side has been used to nurture talented young scamps, whilst also providing a platform for players returning from injury or after a drop in form, knowing they can turn out for the Barracudas with confidence. Hey, at least there's one Deano that can blood players succesfully out there...

It’s been a pretty successful season for ‘Deano’ and his charges with the obvious highlight being the superb win at Bournemouth.

“I personally think we’ve grown from a middle tier team to a side that can compete with the very best sides around on the circuit,” says the always enthusiastic Dean.

“Perhaps the most pleasing thing this season is that we have blooded a lot of players who have gone onto play really well for Samurai International, which is obviously one of our major remits.

“Another pleasing aspect was that talented guys who hadn’t played much sevens going on and playing international rugby, like Tom Edwards who was capped by Wales”.

By the make-up of Dean’s squad for Sunday it looks like they are going to be difficult to stop this weekend, with the side hopefully acquiring the services of Newcastle Falcons’ John Rudd. Nick Wakely turned out for Samurai International at Middlesex a few weeks back whilst Chris Rainbow has England XV Counties experience with the Welsh Marcus Johnston providing some “serious pace” according to Dean.

The likes of Akuma Scorpions, International Marauders, Harpenden Praetorians Kamikaze, and 2008 semi-finalists Castaway join the big boys in the top echelon in what will be an interesting tournament, with the always late scramble to bring in the most potent players possible at this stage of the season.

Looking ahead to the ‘Barrel’ (aka Social) there are some decent sides in the mix with MTC and Badly Packed Kebab (BKP) sides that have the ability to bring together some quality players but are there to enjoy themselves without the pressure and expectations of the elite tier. For those who haven’t had the pleasure seeing BKP play, their Flintstones stash is worth a look-innovative stuff indeed. Simon Payne also rates the chances of Damnbusters and Stanbridge Stormers who he thinks might cause a stir too.

Finishing with a bang

“The future of the tournament is looking rosy; we hope to expand the tournament to a Newquay style format, with a weekend theme combining live bands (this year), with camping and other attractions. The idea is to grow the tournament as organically as possible, and to evolve into a women’s and men’s style event.”

Outside the Rugby expect the usual high jinks with plenty to keep players, fans, and kids occupied. There’s a live band and DJ which will be pumping the music out all day and long into the evening.

There’s the usual Redbull chill-out zone, a seemingly perennial fixture on the circuit, providing a place for everyone to relax away from the rugby. Well actually that’s rather dependent if Harpenden can avoid the monsoon tropical conditions that tournaments in Samoa and Fiji are probably more accustomed to.

With the UK Sevens curtain ready for its usual seven month interval after Sunday the stage is set nicely for Harpenden to finish things off in their indomiatble style as per. Vale!