Tuesday 16 June 2009

After 5 years off the 7s circuit the Visigoths dusted off their cleats and joined the gym to return to the fun of sevens. With a poor performance in their warm up tournament (Church 7s) they were apprehensive when they received the draw for the Roma 7s. Italy, Roma Invitational (comprised of NZ IRB players) and the British Army promised to be a tough welcome back to the tournament where it all began for the Visigoths - ROME.

Although the first three games ended in defeat the Visigoths put up a fight with 2 scores against Italy and two against the Kiwis (the eventual winners). Most importantly these games served to galvanize the squad as they learnt to play together and eradicate those mistake that come with blowing away the cobwebs.

Day two saw the Visigoths into the Bowl competition and a Semi-Final against the team who beat them in the Plate Final back in 2003 - URC - a local Italian side. Revenge, although best served cold, is also extremely enjoyable under a 90 degree Roman sun and the Visigoths secured a place in the Bowl Final with a 35-5 victory.

As the floodlights came up and the Italian military band left the filed it was time for the Bowl final. The Visigoths knew that Dubai were an equally matched team and that a tough encounter lay ahead. The final score of 19-12 to the Visigoths was testament to a hard fought battle between two teams who fancied a bit of silverware after two tough days of rugby.

Stand out players for the Visigoths were Tom Booker with some exceptional attacking play and Tom Huggins for fantastic defense and a work rate which needed to be seen to be believed.

The Visigoths are officially back and going to get better and better. The Italian models also voted them the best looking team of the Roma Sevens although this accomplishment is shrouded by controversy with accusations of poll fixing raised by the Samurai.