Monday 12 July 2010

THE British Army beat reigning champions, Samurai International, 21-15 in the final of the Manchester Rugby 7s and claim the 2010 title.

The two-day festival of rugby saw the MR7s moving to a new venue at Sale FC’s Heywood Road ground.

Local fans had high hopes for Sale Sharks, one of three guest teams for the national competition, but after a promising start, the Guinness Premiership outfit fell at the quarter-final stage, comprehensively beaten 43-7 by the free-scoring Gilbert Pups.

The semi-finals saw Samurai squeezing through 17-14 against HFW Wailers while the Army made far more comfortable progress, beating Gilbert Pups 38-7.

Samurai may have started the final as slight favourites and with dual code international Henry Paul pulling the strings opened up a 10-5 half time lead.

But the Army’s pace and clever handling saw them outscore Samurai by three tries to one in the second half and take the MR7s title, 26-15.

James Stephenson of the Gilbert Pups was judged player of the tournament.

On Saturday the International Open competition proved the perfect appetiser for the main event with some quality rugby.

The Venezuelan national side completed their first visit to the UK with some creditable performances which may not have brought any victories but showed that there is great potential.

Crowd favourites were undoubtedly the Black Stallions from Nigeria but they went out at the quarter final round to the Carmarthen Warriors.

In the final, it was a battle between youth and experience with the North Wales Exiles taking on Mel’s Exiles.

And it was to be the teenagers from North Wales who took the trophy with a dramatic 31-29 victory, the winning score coming in the dying seconds.

Alongside the rugby, fans were treated to a fantastic selection of entertainment with DJs playing great music, a host of Sale Sharks players accompanied by Sharky the mascot mingling with spectators and a traditional African band among the many highlights.

MR7s Tournament Director Marco Vaghetti said: “The standard of rugby on offer on both days in Manchester was amazingly high.

“Our aim has always been to create a family-friendly festival which attracts some of the best sevens players in the world and we have certainly achieved that.

“In just two years, the MR7s has established itself as an essential competition on the sevens calendar.”

www.ManchesterRugby7s.com