SLOUGH RFC’s success at the 11th annual Sevens Tournament will provide the club with a huge boost ahead of the regular season, according the event organiser Ben Harris.

The Greenies won the Bowl competition on Saturday in front of proud head coach, Darren Brown, and an ever-growing following at Tamblyn Fields.

Harris admits that prize money had to be raised this year to keep the tournament going, but he is delighted to see young local players competing in a high standard of rugby.

He told <em>the Observer</em>: “I was quite worried because we lost a couple of teams due to a shortage of players. There’s a massive shortage of decent sevens players in teams that are funded.

“But the tournament was absolutely brilliant this year. It was hard work but everyone pulled together, which seems to be happening quite a bit around the club at the moment.

“I was doing the organising with a great bunch of lads and lasses behind me. The whole tournament was there for players to come and have some fun with a bit of a difference.

“We had 16 teams and some of the elite clubs in the country put their academy sides out so the rugby was good.

“Slough won a trophy and the standard of rugby was excellent as well, everyone commented on how good it was. And it was great to see local people and non-rugby fans going to Slough sevens, everyone was talking about it.” Harris continued: “John Spandley loves coaching sevens rugby and the lads we had came out of nowhere.

“I heard that some players kept on running in tries against the top sides, so we must be doing something right.

“Darran was so proud. It was brilliant to see the youngsters stand up and play, and it’s nice to have them breaking through and the process working.

“It’s nice to win trophies in our own tournament and we’re doing it properly, no mucking about. I hope it’s a good boost going into the regular season.

“It’s great to see a group playing as a team with genuine Slough-based players. I was well happy with that to be honest, and we’re starting to get a bigger following now.” Teams from as far as Gloucester descended on Slough for the tournament, before which a minutes silence was held for Sam ‘Umfufu’ Heath, a good friend of the club who recently passed away.

Samurai Bulldogs were the overall winners after four big victories, and a close call in the final which saw them come back from 12 points down to win 31-26 and lift the Peter Crockford Memorial Trophy.

A strong Reeds team won the Plate, beating an unlucky Illuminati Sevens by a golden point.

Hosts Slough Dragons met Olaf’s Axes, Abingdon, East India Company, and Met Police in their pool matches before going on to win the bowl.

The Met Police and Chobham drew 19-19 in a tense final for the Vase, the Met Police claiming the award on try count from the day.

SLOUGH RFC’s success at the 11th annual Sevens Tournament will provide the club with a huge boost ahead of the regular season, according the event organiser Ben Harris.

The Greenies won the Bowl competition on Saturday in front of proud head coach, Darren Brown, and an ever-growing following at Tamblyn Fields.

Harris admits that prize money had to be raised this year to keep the tournament going, but he is delighted to see young local players competing in a high standard of rugby.

He told <em>the Observer</em>: “I was quite worried because we lost a couple of teams due to a shortage of players. There’s a massive shortage of decent sevens players in teams that are funded.

“But the tournament was absolutely brilliant this year. It was hard work but everyone pulled together, which seems to be happening quite a bit around the club at the moment.

“I was doing the organising with a great bunch of lads and lasses behind me. The whole tournament was there for players to come and have some fun with a bit of a difference.

“We had 16 teams and some of the elite clubs in the country put their academy sides out so the rugby was good.

“Slough won a trophy and the standard of rugby was excellent as well, everyone commented on how good it was. And it was great to see local people and non-rugby fans going to Slough sevens, everyone was talking about it.” Harris continued: “John Spandley loves coaching sevens rugby and the lads we had came out of nowhere.

“I heard that some players kept on running in tries against the top sides, so we must be doing something right.

“Darran was so proud. It was brilliant to see the youngsters stand up and play, and it’s nice to have them breaking through and the process working.

“It’s nice to win trophies in our own tournament and we’re doing it properly, no mucking about. I hope it’s a good boost going into the regular season.

“It’s great to see a group playing as a team with genuine Slough-based players. I was well happy with that to be honest, and we’re starting to get a bigger following now.” Teams from as far as Gloucester descended on Slough for the tournament, before which a minutes silence was held for Sam ‘Umfufu’ Heath, a good friend of the club who recently passed away.

Samurai Bulldogs were the overall winners after four big victories, and a close call in the final which saw them come back from 12 points down to win 31-26 and lift the Peter Crockford Memorial Trophy.

A strong Reeds team won the Plate, beating an unlucky Illuminati Sevens by a golden point.

Hosts Slough Dragons met Olaf’s Axes, Abingdon, East India Company, and Met Police in their pool matches before going on to win the bowl.

The Met Police and Chobham drew 19-19 in a tense final for the Vase, the Met Police claiming the award on try count from the day.

PICK up a copy of <em>The Observer</em>, out now, for all the latest sports news and action including pictures from the Slough Sevens Tournament.

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PICTURE: Slough Dragons captain Max Miles shows off the Bowl trophy, which is side won at the Sevens Tournament on Saturday.