Army Sevens Match Reports

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Middlesex Sevens – 14 Aug 10
Newquay Surf Sevens – 17 Jul 10
Manchester Sevens – 4 Jul 10
West Country Sevens – 20 Jun 10
London ‘London Rocks’ Sevens – 12 Jun 10
Roma Sevens – 5-6 Jun 10

Middlesex Sevens – 14 Aug 10
Army Goes Down Guns Blazing Against A Superior Force

Reporter/Photographer: Roger Thompson The British Army were soundly beaten 29pts to nil in the semi final of the Middlesex 7s at Twickenham on 14 August. That in many ways says it all but in others it tells only part of the tale.

The Middlesex is rightly regarded as the Premier sevens event in the UK — even one of the most challenging in the World. That the British Army won the event in 2001 and 2004 was tremendous but the World has moved on, the UK has caught up and national Sevens rugby is now a competitive and well rewarded game in its own right. The question on Saturday morning was ‘How would the British Army squad 2010 stack up in the changed era?’. The conclusion is ‘bang on target’. In the opening game the Reds saw off a stronger than usual challenge from Gilbert Pups 19pts-5 with Jack Prasad, Gus Qasevakatini, Malakai Magnus and Yamyamo touching down.

Skipper Gerhard Wessels - at the heart of every move

Round 2 against Kenya was a completely different kettle of fish. In recent times on the IRB circuit the Kenyans have beaten the All Blacks and England. Kenya fielded strong lean warriors who are built for sevens with great ball skills and a nose for open spaces. They opened at pace and for a protracted period denied the Reds the ball but the defence was structured, combative and watertight. Defence on the front foot was turned into attack and Jack Prasad ran in for a fine touchdown from the halfway line. Qasevakatini (2), Magnus and Apo Satala topped up the score to seal a significant win against an international team that contained specialist sevens players. The semi final against the Samurai International 7 was just that–hard-nosed pros with an international 7s pedigree hand picked from every corner of the globe. That the Army was beaten 29pts-nil was harsh but that is the reality of playing against the best money can buy. Everyone stood their ground, none more so than Apo Satala who had four Samurai dripping from his shoulders as he made progress down the left touchline ! Samurai went on to defeat London Irish 15pts-12 in the final.

Make no mistake, there are no sour grapes. Samurai was a well drilled class outfit and a pleasure to watch. They were there to do a job, they did it professionally and deserved to get their names on the Cup. In context, and as a benchmark for the Reds, Wales was eliminated in Round 1. England and Kenya in Round 2 and for the Army to feature in the semis was a great achievement. Whether we would have beaten the Irish or Wasps, the other semi finalists, is an open question but it is perfectly clear that we were up there with the better teams fielded by Premiership clubs.

Gus Qasevkatini scored four tries

I repeat–the UK and the global sevens scene has moved on and the professional game will surely move again. The challenge for manager John Voss and coach Alfred Vakacokovanua will be to shake out the internal niggles encountered in 2010, build on what has been a very successful season incorporating new players into the squad and devise a cunning plan for 2011. The public enjoy watching the British Army play sevens but we all know that is not quite enough—-we need more than applause so watch this space. Results British Army (19) v R P Martin Gilbert Pups (5) British Army (28) v Kenya 7s (5) British Army (0) v ULR Samurai International (29)

See more at: www.middlesex7s.co.uk/

Posted: 16 Aug 10

Newquay Surf Sevens – 17 Jul 10
Army Big Bang

Report/Photographer: Roger Thompson

Jack Prasad - the art of the offload

A long smoking fuse ended with a massive bang at the final of the Newquay 7s as the Army destroyed the Maurauders 29 pts-7. The Marauders, an accomplished 7s team led by the evergreen former Army skipper Howard Graham, had soundly beaten the pre tournament favourites Samurai International in the semi-final. Newquay was the fourth and final round of the inaugural National 7s competition and the Reds put on a consummate display of open Sevens to claim their second crown.

Unusually, therefore, I have to answer the question ‘Where did it all go right?’ ‘Under new management ‘gave a clue. There was a calm air of confidence as the Army picked its way through the early rounds. Things might have unravelled when, with a three try advantage, they started ‘showboating’ with overcomplicated training- ground algorithms against a feisty Acuma 7. The Reds still had sufficient to drive home a 20 pts-17 win when it mattered but

Malakai Magnus - great thinker and great feet

hopefully lesson learnt. The current Army game is a seven man team show. Skipper Gerhard Wessels calls the tunes at centre and has developed into an outstanding captain. Inside him, and outside– and in fact often inside-out him, is Apo Satala-the veritable rock who was everywhere. The other five players, in many combinations, were fizzing. Each squad player has a vital role–none more so than Joe Kava who is fit, fast and creative. He can take the heat in the middle of the kitchen. At Newquay his imaginative play built space and he showed that in his fast-direct mode he was difficult to halt.

Equally Jack Prasad playing inside Wessels found a new touch and top speed. He jinked with the best and has now developed a top gas to take on the rest. Gus Qasevakatini, Maggie Magnus and Bunny Burenilevu were full of running and points. This sounds all very flamboyant but at Newquay there were two facets that showed this was a different Army team determined once more to scale the heights. Each game was structured, tackling was crisp and hard and frequently led to overturn. Secondly in the quarter final against Kamikaze the Reds’ aggressive hunting down of the ball in defence showed that vital hunger that had been missing earlier in the season. They meant business.

Apo Satala looking mean

Gerhard Wessels was fittingly named as Player of the Overall Tournament for his leadership and contribution on the park. Full marks to all the players and management. As always there are now things to work on before the MIDDLESEX 7s at Twickenham on 14th August-an entirely different kettle of fish. Here the Reds could come up against England, Wales and Scotland preparing for the Commonwealth Games in October but………

These REDS know their way to the Presidents Box! Mouth watering – be there!

Newquay Surf Sevens Knockouts
Cup QF – British Army (31) v Kamikaze (12)
Cup SF – British Army (24) v Wailers (7)
Cup Final – British Army (29) v White Hart Marauders (7)

Player of the National 7s Championship GERHARD WESSELS receives his award and bottle from former England 7s captain Phil Greening

Gus spreads the bubbles

Posted: 19 Jul 10

Manchester Sevens – 4 Jul 10
Manchester United – The Real Reds!
‘Army Beat the Best’ at the home of Sale Sharks

Joe Kava-back to his awesome best

Reporter/Photographer: Roger Thompson

The Army took the third leg of the UR7s nationwide competition by storm at Manchester on Sunday 4th July. Beating Samurai International in the final by 26pts-15 moved the men in Red one place higher in the National competition after the narrow defeat suffered in the Final at the West Country 7s, Bath the previous week.

The return of the talismanic Fiji international Apo Satala lifted the team but there was a noticeable all-round improvement in the speed and general level of fitness when the going got tough. The Reds were to a man able to hunt the ball down when not in possession, particularly Joe Kava who was back near his awesome best. Joe made a mighty contribution in open play and, as always, was unmovable in the tight.

Maybe the most significant play came from skipper Gerhard Wessels who unusually ended up on the score sheet. Normally the team plotter / try maker, Wessels has found a yard of pace and a bit more space in the tank. He is an accomplished 7s player and, attack or defence, the team have a pivot that guarantees shape and balance.

Exciting stuff to see Bunny Burenivalu return to speed. He scored the longest range try at the Middlesex 7s in 2009 when he skinned the London Irish from behind his own goal. He scored seven tries at Manchester and there are growing signs of more to come from an athletic instinctive player who is designed for high level Sevens and remains a fearless competitor. Gus Qasevakatini, as always, finished high on the list of scorers.

Above all success at Manchester was a team achievement. The Skipper Gerhard Wessels said “our composure and ability quickly to establish a platform in attack and defence, borne on better fitness levels,were the keys to a great and sustained performance”

Kenasi Maritiro rounds the defence

Skipper Gerhard Wessels

Q/F – Army 26 v Smurfs 12
Semi – Army 38 v Gilbert Pups 7
Final – Army 26 v Samurai International 15

The final leg of the National Sevens takes place at Newquay on Saturday 17th July.

Posted: 5 Jul 10

West Country Sevens – 20 Jun 10
Bath

Army lose to Samurai International 33-36 in finals

Q/F – British Army 10 v Apache 7
Semi – British Army 17 v HFW Wailers 12
Final -Samurai 36 v British Army 33

London 7s – 12 Jun 10
London Rocks
Army reach semi-final at National Series Sevens

Reporter/Photographer: Roger Thompson

The Army narrowly missed out on the cream at the inaugural UR7s London Rugby Rocks at Richmond on 12th June. After a stuttering start there followed a sustained purple passage of play to the point where the Reds led Championship team Esher in the Semi Finals by 21pts-5 at half time. Then…

Jack Prasad goes clear

Malakai Magnus at full gas

Where have we heard about Army rugby trying to off-load a sizeable lead? Synchronised foot off the gas, some indifferent one-up tackling and the Esher professionals stormed back in the closing minutes to win 24pts-21. That’s as maybe and, like Twickenham, inexplicable so we will concentrate on the plus points.

Gus Qasevakatini-full throttle

The backs moved sweetly to a man. Gerhard Wessels the ‘star’ of the Roma 7s has become the consummate ‘pro’ pulling the strings for Gus Qasevakatini and Malakai Magnus to stretch wide or cut in to the heart of the attack. Jack Prasad made excellent individual runs at this level but may find defences at the likes of Middlesex and Dubai not quite so obliging.

Maybe the forwards, who have their uses, are a bit more dumper truck than Daimler-Benz but, outside that, there is no need for a knee jerk reaction. Early on skipper Mark Lee was a stable platform in a rocky sea and new man Bola Boladau proved to be a real find at this level.

19 Joe Kava pounds the beat

Peceli Nacamavuto-back to his best

Putting everything in to perspective this was always going to be a tough one. The standard was genuinely high. Twelve invitation teams are difficult analyse and sufficiently to nail down a game plan. Some of the better heeled, like Samurai International (literally) can import players of any pedigree, have real depth on the bench to ring the changes and meet the challenge. Importantly they can afford to make their players efforts financially rewarding and as we all know quality has a particular quantity of its own.

That’s not sour grapes, simply an indication of the level of rugby 7s that is challenging the Army. It’s next stop Bath for the Reds at the West Country 7s (19-20 June).

Red Leader milks the crowd

See more at Rugby Rocks

Posted: 13 Jun 10

Roma Sevens – 5-6 Jun 10
Army succumb to Aussie international brilliance

Reporter: Roger Thompson

Stadio dei Marmi - in the presence of the Gods

After great plaudits at the Bournemouth 7s the Army were back in the reality zone at the Rome International 7s over the weekend 5 June. We aim to play the best and in Rome we got our wish!

With a varied selection and no talismanic Apo Satala the squad acquitted themselves with distinction, progressing to the Semi Finals before they faced the Australia National team that had won the IRB competition at Twickenham a fortnight previously!!

Putting that in context, Samoa and New Zealand are consistently World tops but at Twickenham the Aussies were said to have lifted the level of support play to a new level. Their athletic style, slick handling and backing up at speed were outstanding and, in particular; they showed the other nations a few tactical tricks.

At the magnificent Roma Stadio dei Marmi, in the presence of the Gods (see photo), the Aussies beat the Army 38pts-nil but the Army fought to the last trench and drew the unsolicited praise of the Aussie coach.

Gerhard Wessels had an outstanding game in the centre hunting down the opposition and attacking creatively with what little ball the Army could muster. Joe Kava is nearing his best—a magnificent sight at speed with yellow and green shirts dripping from his waist.

The Army attack

Whilst Gus Qasevakatini and Malakai Magnus were as always excellent value, newcomer Sam Speight (12 Regt RA) was ’birthed’ at the deep end and showed he has the guile and raw speed to meet the highest demands. He gave notice that he is in the mix for the top games this summer.

In the quarter finals the Army beat the French National 7 by 14pts-7—no mean feat against a team that had trained and performed on the IRB circuit for the past five months.

The Army now moves on to the ‘Rugby Rocks’ 7s at Richmond on Sat 12th June in the first leg of the National Sevens Series. Play starts at 1000 hrs.

See more at Roma Sevens

Posted: 8 Jun 10