On Saturday 19th July, two OM Rugby Union Football Club teams captained by the Staley twins, Louis (5.16-21) and Kit (9.16-21), took part in the Cheltenham 7s Festival, hosted by Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club. Both teams were in pools of five in different competitions, with four group games each.
The OM 2nd team kicked proceedings off with an early first game at 9.15am. A strong OM defence led by Kit Staley (9.16-21) meant the OMs kept a clean sheet and scored four tries off the back of it with Fergus Morris (2.19-24), Abdullah Ahmed (2.20-25), George Skerret (5.19-24) and Rowan Currie Jordan (7.12-17) crossing the line. Final score 24-0 to the OMs.
The elite team’s first game followed with a strong win to start off their day. Plenty of possession and fluid attack from the OMs led to them capitalising on some lazy defence with Tom Morrison (SH.18-23) and Jack Bishop (7.13-18) scoring in the second half to seal a win for the OMs. Final score 19-14 to the OMs.
The elite team went onto have back-to-back games with a tough encounter against an experienced opposition. Despite some strong runs from George Sandy (7.13-18) and Harry Sigley (2.17-20) the OMs coughed up some possession in good areas and conceded too many times in the first half for the boys to come back in the second.
The 2nd team then took on a strong club team from Bristol, with some strong ball carrying from Kit Staley and Toby Newman (2.19-24) along with creative playmaking from Fergus Morris, the OMs again took the win crowned off with Teddy Broadhurst (5.20-22) taking a great cross-field kicking and going over in the corner. Final score 19-17 to the OMs.
All the boys then went on to watch the Lions vs Australia together in front of the big screen, rehydrating before two more games each in the afternoon.
The elite team had the Bromsgrove old boys next, a tough encounter following a few beers in front of the Lions. This clearly took its toll as the boys conceded three tries and scored none in a very poor first half. After a harsh half time chat though the boys kicked into gear and played some lovely 7s in the second half with Tom Hughes (5.16-21) arriving late to lead the attack and all of a sudden the OMs were level with two minutes to go. In the final play a line break from Tom Hughes led to the ball coming to Tom Morrison who provided a lovely offload to Jack Yeoward (9.17-22) going over in the corner. An amazing comeback from the OMs against the alumni of one of the top rugby schools in the country. Final score 24-19 to the OMs.
Next for the 2nd team was a huge opposition from Wales, who with their one up runners frequently went over the gain line and punctured the OM defence. Although there was some strong defence from George Skerret and Kit Staley, the OMs were defeated 17-12.
Sadly, these turned out to be the last games for the OMs with the royal marines pulling out of the elite competition and a nasty neck injury leaving the pitch unplayable for the 2nd team, the tournaments finished there for the boys. With both teams finishing 2nd in their group it was a frustrating but thoroughly enjoyable day!
Thanks go to George Amphlett (9.12-17) and AJ Renton (7.12-17) for organising the day and managing the teams.
Match report by Toby Newman (2.19-24)
Great news to see the OM RUFC taking part in the Cheltenham 7s Festival and doing so well. Congratulations to all those who played and managed the teams. From the report and photograph it appears that an enjoyable day was had by all.