By Noel Armstead, Press Officer, Henley RFC

The International Henley Sevens, sponsored by Greene King for the first time, turned out to be the hottest tournament ever with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Some players suffered from heat exhaustion so that the rules regarding substitutes were relaxed for the final rounds of the tournament.

The rugby played was hot too. The first and second seeds, Northampton Saints and the British Army, reached the final with the title holders, the Army, repeating last season’s victory by running out victors by 47-19 at the end of an exhausting day. However, the semi-finals were of such quality that both were worthy of being finals. In the first of these, the Army were narrow victors over frequent rivals, the Marauders, 19-14. The Saints hit their best form in their semi-final against the much fancied Samurai, winners of five tournaments this season.

The two foreign guest sides, Uganda Cranes and China, acquitted themselves well. China lost in the final of the Shield to an experienced West Indies side, 35-24, led by Kurt Johnson. Uganda, with Young England, who faded after a sterling display against the British Army in the second round losing 17-5, were, perhaps, the unluckiest team in the tournament as they went away empty handed after victories over the West Indies (Cup: 29-12) and Young England (Shield: 26-17), but could not score enough points in the latter game to qualify for the final. The highest scorer of the tournament was Young England U19 wing from Gloucester, Matt Tait.

Said the British Army’s skipper, Howard Graham, one of the most experienced sevens players in the world, “This was a superb tournament. One of the best we have ever played.” High praise from a man who has played sevens rugby for England and captained the most successful side outside the international game.