The West Country Cavaliers 7’s Rugby team were founded in 2007 by a group of ex-Bath Rugby professionals that had played rugby together in the Bath Rugby Academy and whilst studying at the University of Bath. Upon finishing their stint at the Aviva Premiership club many of the players moved to different locations throughout the UK and Europe in search of professional or semi-professional rugby, and other forms of employment. Over the previous 4 years we have successfully attracted and initiated more players into the squad.

Our players currently represent some of the top Championship and National League sides including Dave Ward at Cornish Pirates, Sam Hocking, Tom Kessell and Ben Mercer at Plymouth Albion, Kieron Lewitt at Launceston, Mike Baxter at Rosslyn Park, and Charles Perry at Richmond. There is also a strong contingent playing a good standard of local-level rugby, most notably Rhidian McGuire at Bath-based Walcot, and former Samoa 7’s International Junior Tupai up North at Beverley. USA 7’s International and former Warrington Wolves Rugby League winger Taylor Welch is currently playing for Aix en Provence in France, and former Keynsham winger Chris Eames is currently on a 6-month sabbatical in Australia playing 7’s and Touch Rugby out of his base in Brisbane.

During the Summer 7’s season the players come back together to play hard on the pitch, and catch up with old friends and team mates off it. Over the previous 4 years the side have participated in some fantastic tournaments at some great locations, including Amsterdam, Newquay, Manchester, Leicester, as well as our home tournament, the West Country 7’s based at Keynsham RFC. The side also competes in the Bath Touch Rugby League and in 2010 were crowned Plate Winners of both the Summer and Autumn leagues.

The West Country 7’s hosts the UK National 7’s Series which features professional 7’s sides including the British Army, and 2010 Middlesex 7’s winners Samurai International who successfully defeated a number of Aviva Premiership sides on their way to victory. In 2010 the West Country Cavaliers were invited to compete in the UK National 7’s Series and finished as Plate Runners-up, losing a close final to French International side Les Bleus. Sky Sports broadcasted the event and featured all four of the sides’ matches. The team followed this up a few weeks later by winning the Open-level Cup at the Newquay Surf 7’s and were again featured on Sky Sports.

The future:
2011 is the West Country Cavaliers 5-year anniversary and the plans are being put in place to make sure it is the most successful season so far. The side will be competing in six 7’s tournaments as well as the Bath Touch League, and will also be embarking on another European adventure in May after receiving an invite to participate at the Amsterdam 7’s, in what is their 40th anniversary tournament.

2011 Fixtures:
May
ULR Premier International 7's, Bury St. Edmonds
Amsterdam 7's

June
Rugby Rocks
West Country 7's

July
Newquay Surf 7's
Worthing 7's

If you have any queries regarding the team please email: westcountry7s@hotmail.com

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