Red shirt rugby keeps on coming thick and fast over the summer months, and it was a weekend to remember for the Army Sevens teams. Bdr Bethan Dainton (RA) also showed how well she has adapted to Rugby League with another good performance for Leeds Rhinos in the Women’s Super League.
There was triple representation at the London Invitational Sevens at Twyford Avenue, home of Wasps FC, on Saturday.
Director of Rugby, Maj Jon Lord (DPHC Pirbright) and Men’s Head Coach, Cpl Jo Nayacavou (R Signals) demonstrated the continued commitment to expanding opportunities to represent the Army Sevens set-up by naming two teams for the event, and they both headed home with silverware.
The senior team finished top of the pool on points difference, wins over QVSOB (33-5) and Nomad 7s (22-10) putting them in the driving seat ahead of the final round-robin against the Royal Navy. This was typically tight and tense, finishing 7-7, but progression into the Cup knockouts was sealed nonetheless, and the Army kicked on later in the day.
A 50-12 win over Wild Dogs Alpha Pack set the tone, which continued into the semi-final against Ramblin’ Jesters, which was also won 31-7.
This put the Army into a final against Rugby for Heroes, but there was no split loyalty against a charity which does so much for the veteran community, the red shirts prevailing 17-0.
Ramblin’ Jesters had been the only victors against the Army Men’s Development team in the round-robins, but with the team beating Nigeria Exiles (28-5) and Rugby for Heroes (14-7) they went into the Plate competition in the afternoon.
As with the senior team, the Development group put in a comprehensive performance in the quarter finals, beating RM 1664s 45-0. QVSOB were then seen off 34-12, and there was another 30-plus scoring spree in the final, Nigeria Exiles Dev beaten 36-10.
The Women also reached their Cup final by virtue of finishing second in their pool. Savvy Panthers (32-5) and Bath (40-0) were both beaten, with a third match being drawn against Akuma Beavers, 21-all.
The only loss came against Wild Dogs Alpha Pack, who were the opposition in the final. Unfortunately the result went the same way, the Army losing 7-27, but it was nevertheless a very creditable performance by Sgt Vuadreu’s (RLC) team.
Away from the Sevens circuit, Bdr Dainton continued her impressive campaign for Leeds Rhinos, scoring her team’s ninth of 10 tries in a 52-0 win away to Wigan Warriors which cemented the team’s third place in Super League Group 1.
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks
Header and featured images – Alligin Photography © Cat Goryn
IMAGE GALLERY
A full gallery of images from the day’s competition at LiT 7s can be viewed HERE
