Early Season Start for Sharks

Ian Cooper to captain Shark in Manchester

A new event for the Sharks this Saturday when they take part in the Manchester Festival Sevens at Broughton Park.   Ian Cooper will lead a side that will compete in the Men’s Open and will meet Leeds University, Saxons 7s and Hudderfield University in the pool stages.  They will also get the opportunity to take a close look at Esher 7’s who they will meet in the London Rocks tournament on 1st June.  Esher are in the International Cup competition along with the RAF Spitfires; fresh from their charity ride for the Khelo Foundation.

 

Coach Sam Cuff will be looking for the Sharks to start 2013 as they finished 2012 and not have a repeat of their first outing last season.  A visit to the Wild Boar Sevens was probably best forgotten and only Jon Humphrey returned from that tournament with any real credit.

Jon Humphrey in action for the Sharks at the Wild Boar Sevens 2012

 

The sevens they played that day was not a good advert for Navy Rugby and indeed was not a good indicator of what was to come later in the season.  A fortnight later at the West Country Sevens the team was transformed and with a bit more confidence would have won their quarter final.  It was good to see the team appreciating space and with a little more bite in the tackle and a desire to boss the contact area.

Josh Blackburn, one of a number of Sharks who produced a much improved performance at the second tournament of the season at keynsham.

 

Nathan Huntley looks to fix his man at the West Country Sevens.

Fast forward another fortnight and on Armed Forces day in the Newquay Surf Sevens the Sharks produced their best rugby of the summer and were able to compete with some of the top sides on the circuit.  All that seemed the same from the Wild Boar event was the shirt.  Certainly the players had melded well and were providing the considerable naval support at Newquay with some good rugby to cheer on.  All was set well for the last tournament at Henley before the weather intervened and it was cancelled.

By the end of the Summer the White Ensign was flying proudly again as the Sharks produced some excellent sevens rugby. Tom Davies makes the break.
Seti Raumakita produced the form in Newquay that he was to take to Sydney later in the year.

The Sharks will be competing at four tournaments this year, two of which will be after the RNRU Sevens @ Ivel Barbarians RFC, Yeovil on Wednesday 5 June.  Therefore there will be every incentive for the players in this competition to put themselves forward for selection in the representative side.

More than just cups to play for at the RNRU Sevens – Ivel Barbarians 5 June

Alligin Photography will be covering the Navy Sevens at Ivel Barbarians RFC and also hopes to follow the Sharks at the West Country Sevens on 15th June.

 

Planning to follow the Sharks at Manchester then click for directions to Broughton Park RFC.

Follow the Sharks in 2013

Future Sharks events:

Rugby Rocks – London Leg – Richmond RFC 1 June

West Country Sevens – Keynsham RFC 15 June

Newquay Surf Sevens – Newquay RFC 29 June

 

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