Josh continued his dream start to his Interntional Sevens career with another try to help England overcome New Zealand and progress to the final in the iRB World Seven Series, Dubai. Press report from RFU.com New Zealand 19 -21 England England are in their first Dubai final since 2005 by overcoming last seasons series champions New Zealand at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens. England dominated the first half going into the break 21-0 with tries from Rob Vickerman, Ollie Phillips and Josh Drauniniu and a 100% kicking record from Phillips. But New Zealand fought back in the second half scoring 19 points. England started well with Drauniniu setting up the first try after receiving the ball...
From RFU.com England 12 – 19 South Africa England may leave the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens empty handed tonight but they can hold their heads high. Over the two day tournament England have played with flair, passion and commitment, finishing top of their pool and adding convincing quarter and semi final performances, but they were shot down at the last hurdle. Tries from Micky Young and Tom Biggs kept England’s spirits alive but a last minute try from South Africa’s Ryno Benjamin and a number of injuries stopped England in their tracks. Captain Ollie Phillips and winger Uche Oduoza both went off with injuries in the first half leaving England at a disadvantage. The f...
When AB(Sea) Will Cairns, HMS St Albans, was named as Navy Rugby's U23 captain he was well aware of the task ahead and also the responsibility he held to continue with the squad's ethos of Team First. Only 12 months agos Will had been one of ten new caps who had competed for, and won, the 2007 U23 Inter Service Championship. As 2008 Captain he was charged with leading sixteen new caps in the defence of the title with the knowledge that it is always harder to retain a championship that win it in the first place. It cannot be emphasised enough how great an achievement the integration of so many new players into the Navy Rugby family is. It has been achieved primarily through the environmen...
A good first day in the office of International rugby was capped by England topping their pool at the Dubai leg of the iRB World Series Sevens. Josh has so far played in all three games with Greg contributing in two. Press release below is from Jessica Chamber of the RFU and the photograph is of Army Sevens expert Isoa Damudamu. Picture courtesey of Getty Images. England finish top of their group this evening after a confident display against Fiji at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens. A disallowed try didn’t dampen England’s spirits as they scored four tries with Micky Young, Uche Oduoza and Isoa Damudamu flying over the line and captain Ollie Phillips adding four conversions...
The RN U23 team started their defence of the Inter Service U23 title with a sound victory against the RAF U23 last night. Once again the result was bourne of excellent team work with everyone contibuting to the performance. Nial Copeland was named man-of-the-match but it could have been any of the front five including his second row colleague, Kev MacCrossan, who left the field early after a neck injury. Fortunately after an examination at QA Hospital Kev was able to rejoin the players at the after match celebration. As importantly Kev was also able to receive the famous 'Silver Tie' which now denotes him as a capped U23 player. He was joined by 15 others who received their ties from Nav...
