Losing to the USA in the quarter-final seemed to go against the run of play. Team GB won the first half 7-5, but failed to capitalise on their advantage and saw USA score two tries in the second half to win the game.
The game of sevens requires a different skillset to the 15s game; even players like myself used to enjoy the space that playing sevens opened up for us. It allowed us to run with the ball rather than being in a constant physical battle to secure it for the backs to either drop or knock on, or occasionally run with.
It's a pity there seems to be fewer sevens competitions than when I played. Sevens was a signal that the season was coming to an end, with clubs at all levels holding competitions, it was really like a fun day out.
It's good to see that the Middlesex Sevens have at last recovered from Covid and have renewed the competition which next season will include a women's team section as well.
I was the guest speaker at the Essex County Dinner last week and was pleased to see the increase in the number of women's teams winning awards and it was good to meet a mixture of players male and female representing many clubs from across the county.
Speaking to some of the club presidents it became apparent that the increase in women playing in the grassroots game has made a huge impact on club finances, by replacing a number of teams lost at that level in the men's game due to the declining number of men taking part in the game.
Denne historien er fra August 04, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 04, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Brough is so Hungary to build on early adventure
BIRMINGHAM Moseley winger Daniel Brough says his love for rugby was solidified when he spent two years playing for Portuguese team Lousa alongside Chile international Pablo Casas in what he describes as a \"boy to a man experience\".
There's more to come from this England pack
ENGLAND'S win over France last weekend was a huge confidence booster ahead of Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland because of the way the team gave themselves an opportunity to win - and the players seized the moment.
Ellis was a rock that we'll never forget, vows Old Reds' Dan
NATIONAL League rugby was rocked last week when Old Redcliffians prop Ellis Joseph passed away aged 27, and captain Dan Fry says the club's focus is to honour his legacy.
Coach hails his King for the day
REDRUTH had to dig deep to see off a physical Cinderford side who deservedly took a losing bonus point back home.
Flying Falcons hoping to make it six out of six
SON of a pig farmer, Freddie Lockwood has been a headline-hogging act for Newcastle this season.
England need to be more consistent
THOSE who believe England have turned a big corner following their last-minute fireworks against France are optimists, simply because their record so far under head coach Steve Borthwick suggests there will be more boom-and-bust.
Too tall to be a pilot, I found lift-off in rugby
Jon Newcombe talks to Josh McNally who says that, without the RAF, he would not have achieved anything in the game
Bears on top but Bath go through
BRISTOL looked the stronger side on paper and so it eventually the bonus-point win still wasn't enough for them to secure a place in the knockout stages proved but Bears were left to rue a 78-19 hammering at the Rec and a surprise defeat at Bedford which left them with too much to do on the final weekend of the competition.
Great that we found a way to win, says Sleightholme
OLLIE Sleightholme insists England have finally broken their glass ceiling but urged them to take a leaf out his club Northampton's book.
Diamond's war chest for relegation play-off
STEVE Diamond has built up a war chest as insurance should Newcastle find themselves in an end-ofseason relegation play-off with key players injured, but he does not anticipate dipping into it.
