International Pub Sevens
50 anniversary celebrated at Harpenden RFC
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Main Final: Wooden Spoon Marauders 12 Apache Raiders 40
With the advent of rugby’s World Cup in September, Harpenden’s annual
seven-a-side tournament may have escaped the attention of the general
public but among the cognoscenti it still rates as a competition of high
quality sport for the top sides and, for the ordinary club player, a fun day
out.
This year proved to be no exception, a time when the organising
committee was over-seeing the 50th official year since the idea of 7s
rugby being played on a Sunday was proposed by the original founders,
Mike Parke and Reg Johnson. The latter, who was formerly the landlord
of the Cross Keys, Harpenden, has sadly died; happily, Mike Parke still
survives to tell the story in fostering this famous event from its humble
beginnings to the present day.
With the weather ideal for those who don’t enjoy playing under a hot,
Summer’s sun the early games produced the usual fun and drama in equal
measure. Every team that had promised to turn up for the event did so and
the added bonus was, as the event’s commentator constantly reminded us,
that the forecast rain had stayed away.
In the final of the main competition a strong team from the Apache
Raiders beat the Wooden Spoon Marauders (who in the previous round
had defeated the highly regarded British Army squad) by 40 points to 12
with tries from Sam Bellhouse; David Massey; Perry Jansen; Howard
Graham; and, Rubin Norville. In the earlier semi-final match against the
German National Team – Deutschland – a marker had already been set
when the Apaches won by 34 points without reply, which was a
resounding result as Deutschland seem to have already qualified for the
World Series in Hong Kong next year leapfrogging Wales and Portugal.
The rise in German Rugby is a lesson for all; their management have only
14,000 players to pick from whereas there are 25,000 soccer clubs in their
country and because of the lack of club facilities the boys are coached at
7 or 8 o’clock in the morning before going to school. They are in no rush
to succeed, however, and will gradually improve under coach Chad, who
is a New Zealander, and Manuel their Team Manager.
This year it was decided that a separate Women’s Competition should be
staged which proved to be a bonus. One of the prime movers here was
Scarlet Cooper-Wall whose brother played hooker for HRFC; Scarlet
propped for England Under 20s when she was 17. Using her contacts as a
coach and colleague to some of the players, Scarlet was able to bring to
the club people such as Alex and Fran Matthews; Sarah McKenna; and,
Fiona Davidson – International Standard players.
The final match in this group was played between Welwyn Wild Flowers
and the Wooden Spoon Marauders (Women). In an exciting competition
in which several International players had featured the Marauders proved
to be the best team on the day with their top scorer Eloise Bloomfield
scoring twice with some outstanding running. Their opposition replied
through tries from Lotte Clapp and Courtney Arberry, the final score
being Welwyn 12 Wooden Spoon 24.
Well, how was it for you? The committee is considering answers to their
questionnaire regarding the future of the event: should it be bigger;
expanded; take place earlier in the season? Such questions will be
addressed fairly soon. On the one hand some say the format is ‘old hat’
but on the other side of the coin the German Team Manager, for example,
thinks the current set-up is ideal because it is predominantly a rugby
event with no distractions on the side. Who knows? One thing is certain
and that is that the women’s side of rugby is becoming more interesting
and it is expected the committee will encourage their numbers to grow.
This year’s tournament organiser, Bob Barltrop, was the first to express
his thanks to his fellow committee members for their contribution
towards making the day worthwhile before adding: “Everything has gone
like clockwork today and the standard of rugby has been extremely high.
“And, the day wouldn’t be the same without teams such as Matt Peck’s
the Bat Fastards and their flying wedge. Also worth a mention is Peter
Woodthorpe’s son, Anthony, a player and referee and a member of
Sherrards Assasins. Former St Columbas schoolboy and Cheltenham
Tigers member, Anthony is hoping to perform well at the Dubai Sevens
and other venues in the coming months. Good luck!”
He also wished Peter Doyle, the former landlord of the White Hart at
Eversley, a happy retirement on having sold his pub.
Finally, he said the club wished to thank their sponsors and all those
punters who generously donated their time and money towards the
Joining Jack auction, all of whose proceeds went towards alleviating the
pain and suffering of all those suffering from the incurable condition
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. England Coach, Andy Farrell merits a
big ‘Thank You’ for his generosity here in donating some of the prizes
and Will Hutchins and his lovely wife for their support.
All in all, the day was a resounding success and even the presence of a
barely clad female rushing across the first-team pitch during one of the
finals did not detract from the overall effect. A translation of Chairman
Darren Francey’s comments relating to this incident can be obtained from
all local newsagents.
RESULTS
Men’s Finals
Main Final: Wooden Spoon Marauders 12 Apache Raiders 40
Plate Final: St Albans Voodoo Priests 7 Find Rugby Now 12
Barrel Final: Harpenden Roosters 26 Apache Chiefs 12
Women’s Final
Welwyn Wild Flowers 12 Wooden Spoon Marauders 24