Sevens Heaven

A fitting semi with hosts, Scotland taking on this increasingly impressive Maple Leaf mob and the prize is - first ever visit to a Cup Final. Tackles were sure from both teams and a plethora of penalties was called in this "tight as a trapeze wire" contest.  Finally Braid broke clear only to be adjudged to have grazed his knee on the touchline in the cover defending tackle, so no blood at the half.  The second stanza opened with another Braid line break, only for him to be bundled into touch at eight meters.  Canada stepped up the pressure and at two minutes and change it was Braid, yet again, feeding to Mack for an unstoppable twenty meter burst and conversion. With 1:40 on the clock, we believe it was Pat Kay who obliged a good call from his skipper to slot a penalty and challenge the Scots to score thrice.  It was not to be and although the boys almost blanked them, sheer ecstacy may have let them down and almost two minutes in "dead time" Scotland scored for a 10 - 7 epic Canadian victory. We have to select Connor Braid as MoM but the team theme of belief, confidence and enjoyment carried the day.  It was evident what a huge job these men have done with their physical preparation, shaking off hard tackles and soldiering confidently on. Watch the Final at 10:50 a.m.  Go, you good things!

http://www.irbsevens.com/

Well, it was a magical thrill to hear "Oh, Canada" pre-kick off but for fans it was a minnow against a mammoth. Words such as ruthless, masterful, accurate and relentless come to mind to describe a faultless Kiwi display of sevens.  In no way does this negate the Canadian effort but Forbes, Curry and Lam were just too much. As Geraint John said when interviewed, this was a game where there was much to be learned and that the achievement should not be forgotten.  It is the achievement that we are celebrating for the boys - a simply amazing effort.  We believed before but this will garner a whole new group of believers.  Keep up the good work in London, guys.