Success for Seahawk in the RNRU 7s

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HMS Seahawk v HMS Heron

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RNRU 7's Competition - Final

Mike Connolly presents the winner’s trophy to the team captain from HMS Seahawk
The winning team from HMS Ocean pictured with their medals and Captain Ellie Ablett
The 2017 RNRU 7s champions – HMS Seahawk
Sprinting for the try line HMS Ocean’s team in the final against HMS Heron
RNRU Senior XV team captain Ben Priddey playing for HMS Seahawk in the cup final against HMS Heron

Over 250 sailors and marines gathered at Yeovil RFC last Wednesday to take part in the Royal Navy Rugby Union annual 7s competition. 12 men's teams and 6 women's teams travelled from around the UK to compete in the fun-filled afternoon. HMS Seahawk were crowned the victors of the men's competition while HMS Ocean's female team won the inaugural Women's touch rugby tournament.

The Men's competition took the form of 3 leagues of four teams to warm the players up before the knock out stages commenced. The group winners, HMS Heron, Commando Logistics Regiment and HMS Seahawk, went through as the favourites. Heron met BRNC in the first semi-final, winning 15 - 10, and in the other semi-final, HMS Seahawk triumphed 26 - 7 over Commando Logistics Regiment. In the final Heron were out-classed by their fellow Air Station, as Seahawk romped home winners 26 - 0.

For the first time a Women's touch 7s competition was played alongside the Men's 7s tournament. Six teams took part from HMS Sultan, HMS Heron, HMS Somerset, Britannia Royal Naval College, HMS Ocean and a combined team from the University Royal Naval Units. All the teams played each other in the league stage and then the top 4 teams went through to the knock out stages. HMS Heron beat BRNC and HMS Ocean won against the URNUs in the semi-finals. In the final, HMS Ocean triumphed over HMS Heron 4 - 2, to be crowned champions.


The event was organised by the RNRU Community Rugby Coach from the Eastern Region, Mr Dave Wakefield. He was ably supported by a team of officials from the RNRU Referees Society. The trophies were presented by Captain Ellie Ablett MBE, RNRU Vice President and Commanding Officer HMS Raleigh and Mike Connolly, RNRU Life Member and Trustee.

The next event in the RNRU calendar is the Annual Beach Rugby Festival which will take place on Wednesday 19 July 2017 on Weymouth Beach. If you are interested in taking part please contact the RNRU Rugby development Officer, Ady Cherrington, adycherrington@rfu.com.

The full list of the men's 7 teams taking part was HMNB Devonport, Viking Sqn, HMS Heron, University Royal Naval Units, Commando Logistics Regiment, HMS Ocean, HMS Sultan, Britannia Royal Naval College, HMNB Clyde, HMS Somerset, 40 Cdo RM, HMS Seahawk.


Images RNRU © John Walton and Crown Copyright © Dan Rosenbaum