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In ideal conditions at Malabar field, the Bermuda Rugby Union held its midseason Sevens tournament. With many of the clubs depleted of players, Renegades in particular as their popular clubman Colin Targett was getting married, the Mariners RFC took advantage and surprised everybody to win both the Men's and Women competitions.

Holding this Sevens tournament after the Caribbean Sevens tournament, in which the Union sent a team down with little to no match preparation, must be strategically questioned.

Although the National team performed admirably- defeating arch rivals Bahamas in the Plate final- the team would have benefited much more by taking part in as many seven tournaments as possible prior to the Caribbean Championships.

Ideally this tournament should have been held earlier and used as a National team trial for local players.

Hopefully in the future careful consideration will be given as to when to hold this tournament so that it acts as a development opportunity and not yet another annoying break in an already fragmented domestic season.

The Ladies festivities started off with the much fancied Teachers ladies taking on the resurgent Mariners. It was the ladies in Green who served notice that they were here to compete with a hard fought 1-1 draw with Amy Wolfinger and Chloe Martin scoring for their sides.

The Police ladies clinically demolished a severely depleted Renegades outfit 4-0. Rachel Black, Kate Brown, Julia Mansfield and Jamie Walker all crossed over to score for the Police.

Mariners then took the tournament by the throat and put the hapless Renegades to the sword 5-0. Tries from Jamie Murdoch, Mary-Ann Rowlston, Laryssa Yuel, Julia Taggart and Michelle Berendt put the surprising lady sailors in the driver seat.

Needing a win to stay in the hunt for silver ware, Police etched out a hard fought 3-2 win over a disappointed Teachers side.

Two tries from the dependable Kate Brown and a third by Julia Mansfield overcame the Red scores from a competitive Chloe Martin and Jen Crawford.

In the late consolation game Teacher walked away with a 5-0 win over a limpid Renegades squad missing no less than five of their key players. Tries from Chloe Martin (2), Jen Crawford, Kim Spencer and Chernelle Gibbons restored some pride to Alvin Harvey's squad.

The stage was set for a winner takes all encounter between Police and Mariners. Both teams have improved remarkably since the beginning of the season and a tense encounter ensued with well organized defenses dictating play. Sensing an opportunity Mariners upped the pressure and finally eroded the resolute Police defensive line getting tries from the inspirational Wolfinger (2) and a clenching third try from Rowlston. Police fought to the end and a fiery effort by Brown closed the gap but it was too little too late.

The men's Sevens tournament eerily followed the same pattern as the ladies.

The opening match saw Teachers defeat a game Police side 28-7.

Mariners took on a decimated Renegades squad who did well just to field a team as most players were off celebrating the aforementioned nuptials of Mr. and Mrs. Collin Targett.

Mariners looked fresh and motivated with the wise head of Richard Holden combining well with the youth and experience of West Indies player Kris Furbert.

Both Holden and Furbert dominating play throughout the tournament and were instrumental in their teams' success. Two tries from Welshman Allun Thomas complemented scores from Furbert and Warren Green.

One conversion from Holden and another from Lachie Armour gave the Greens a dominating 24-7 opening game victory. Mariners continued their momentum into their second game and clawed a 12-10 victory over an unlucky Teachers side.

Once again it was the tandem of Holden and Furbert whose alacrity in attack proved the difference. Police made the tournament interesting with a one side 35-7 victory over Renegades setting up an intriguing match with Mariners that would eventually decide who won the tournament.

Police started out well and got early tries from Andrew Flint and Michael Kane who unfortunately missed the conversions.

This proved crucial as the Mariner staged a fight back over a visibly tiring Police squad. Second half tries from the dynamic duo Furbert and Holden, who then nailed the important conversion, secured Mariners the Men's Seven Trophy. Teachers finished off their tournament in a meaningless game with a win over the struggling Renegades.

Police will rue their lack of fitness and depth on the bench as they had the opportunities to win but an elated Mariners Club celebrated late into the night with two well won Sevens Trophies.[[In-content Ad]]

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