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Tom Chick & UR7s staff

Although the Hong Kong Sevens will always be a focal point for many fans in Asia, the achievements of the Singapore Cricket Club 7s (SCC 7s) is sometimes unwittingly forgotten about.

The IRB Sevens enthusiasts out there will of course know that Singapore was awarded hosting rights in 2002. Although the 2003 event was cancelled due to the carnage caused by the SARs virus, Singapore’s IRB glory years continued from 2004-2007. With the cutting down of events in the series Singapore got the guillotine much to the dismay of players and fans alike to loved heading to the Cricket Club.

Still running strong and heading in its 62nd year next weekend (6-8 Nov) it has attained the status of the region’s premier international club tournament, with teams from all over the world drawing into the festivities. Rumour has it they have played Rugby at the Padang since the 1880’s, but the Sevens has always been an event that can bring the biggest smile to the faces of the locals and expats alike.

Things are currently moving on nicely for Asian Rugby Sevens. In conjunction with the good news of the sport gracing the shores of Rio’s 2016 Olympic Games, we are also currently at the midpoint of the inaugural IRB Asian Series. With the tournament still finding its feet it leaves the door open for the old guards like the SCC 7s, with its prestige, history and quality, to continue to stamp its brand on the region.

Hungry Vipers

You only have to look at past participants and winners to see that this tournament has plenty to offer and the popularity it has maintained over the years.

In 2004 the British Army graced the shores of Kallang and was triumphant in the same year as they won their second Middlesex Sevens title. The 1999 and 2000 Middlesex champions, the Penguins, have also turned out at the Singapore Sevens and the Bowl final winners at this year’s US Nationals, NOVA, only scratch the surface of an illustrious list of past participants.

This year, however, whichever sides take to the field in Singapore will have to stop the double defending champions, the South African Vipers, who will be looking to make it a hat-trick of successes.

The emerging Springboks or the South African Vipers as they are more commonly known, successfully defended their 2007 title with a nervy 10-5 win over Fijian side Davetalevu in 2008.

A certain Mzwandile Stick, who captained his country to their first ever IRB Sevens Series title as well as coming off the bench for the Southern Kings XV to face the British and Irish Lions since, was named the player of the final in Singapore.

New talent

Renfred Dazel, who was also part of the Series winning side and present at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, was deservedly named 2008 MVP. It will be interesting to see which Viper we could be talking about in the same way when this year’s IRB Series gets underway in Dubai in December.

Cecil Afrika is my bet. He was recently awarded a fulltime contract after an impressive display for South Africa at the World Games and was by all accounts outstanding at the Boks’ successful Namibia Sevens win.

It has not always been about the SA Vipers though delving further into the record books at the Singapore Sevens unveils some other interesting MVP’s which could be the inspiration for those turning out for their respective teams.

Despite the Viper’s winning the title in 2007 it was Hong Kong’s Keith Robertson who received the accolade and he has gone on to become one of the country’s most recognised Sevens faces having played for Hong Kong in this year’s IRB Series and RWC Sevens.

Going further back in time the Kenyan Edward Rombo with his mesmerizing side steps, daring attitude and ability to quickly detect weaknesses in opponents and fully capitalise on them that gave him the award in 1989, before the Australian international Michael Lynagh wowed the Singapore crowds in 1990. In similar fashion to other high profile tournaments, Singapore has provided a stage to uncover little gems.

Ablitt Cup

But what was it that all these players were aspiring to win? The coveted Ablitt Cup of course.

Named, fittingly, after Mr Bernard E. Ablitt who was convenor of the SCC Rugby Section all the way back in 1931.
The silver cup was donated by Mrs Katherine Parentis for the winners of the first seven-a-side tournament organised by the SCC Rugby Section and the tournament has grown into one of the world's oldest rugby Sevens tournaments.

It began all the way back in 1947, with last year seeing the first ever all-ticket event in the tournament’s exuberant history. With over 5,000 spectators, and teams from Indonesia, Japan and debutants in Scotland Thistles, the tournament once again confirmed its ability to be compared as one the biggest and best tournaments in the business.

This year will be no different either. The South African Universities side, the British Wailers and the Borneo Eagles who are coached by the Fijian legend Tomasi Cama, will be coming to the party and with the success many teams have had in using this tournament as a breeding ground for their youngsters, expect more teams to follow suit this year.

The Northern Territory Mosquitoes have already announced they will be showcasing Kurt Mulcahy, a member of the Australian Sevens training squad and a former sprinter, and the Fiji Barbarians have included Peni Rokodiva and Waitsone Votu who were both part of Iliesa Tanivula’s RWC Sevens squad to add some steel to their team.

Location, location, location

Perhaps the SCC 7s trump card, as is often the case when digging beneath the surface of events like this, is the wealth of opportunity available outside the tournament. Put simply Singapore is a sensational and idyllic city brimming full of diversity. Chinatown, Arab Street, Serangoon Road and Padang Square with its very strong colonial associations, are all musts.

Although Singapore isn't exactly a city that never sleeps, its clusters of night activity make it perfect for pub-crawlers after the excitement at the SCC calms down. How the SCC 7s sits compared to massive events like the Singapore Grand Prix and the Singapore Open Golf, which is currently running, remains to be seen.

The city is now a hot bed for top international sport, but the SCC 7s tradition will always be a crowd puller. It's a special weekend and a special tournament that very much lives up to its billing as the "Friendly Sevens".