RUGBY

Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens 2007
Saturday, 27 October 2007

Story by Lorna Campbell.

Day one of the 60th Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens played out to a packed Padang with the top International sides winning in style to set up a thrilling final day today.

day1scc7s62.jpg
Ismail of Singa Lions (in red) tackles his opponent on Day 1 of the SCC Rugby 7s while his teammate Jonathan Chen (background) looks on. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Last year's winners Ponsonby from New Zealand won all three pool games comfortably but tomorrow will not be as easy. This year's line up includes seven International sides using this prestigious tournament as key preparation for the upcoming IRB World Sevens Series which kicks off in Dubai in December.

Paul Treu, coach of the South African Vipers – which consists of many South African National sevens players - is delighted he has brought the squad to Singapore: "This is a tough tournament for us but a great one. The teams are unknown which always poses a challenge and the heat makes it really hard going out there.

"Using a squad system is really important here to cope with the climate and we have four games to play if we make it all the way to the final.

"This is our first time playing in the SCC Sevens and we are very impressed. It is well organised with everything running to clockwork. The standard is certainly getting close to an IRB event and we are looking forward to a great day tomorrow."

day1scc7s33.jpg
Justin Lum of the Singapore Cricket Club goes around his Sharks Academy opponent in Day 1 action at the SCC Rugby 7s. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

The final day splits the best and the rest into two groups with the top 16 playing for the Ablitt Cup then challenging for the Plate and Shield. The bottom half fight it out in a pool format for the Bowl then Jug trophies.

Teams to watch out for include Randwick from Australia, Rugby Ecosse from Scotland, Sharks Academy from South Africa and Oriental Rongotai from New Zealand who scored 173 points in there three games and conceded none.

For the local sides, Singa Lions along with SCC and Singapore Barbarians go into the bottom section where they will be looking to claim some silverware and gain further experience ahead of the SEA games in December.

day1scc7s57.jpg
Daniel Thian of the Singa Lions (in red) in action on the first day of the SCC Rugby 7s. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Chairman of the SCC Sevens Committee Jon Robinson said after a sunny and successful day at the Padang: "We are thrilled with the quality of rugby, the excitement of the crowd and are looking forward to the same atmosphere tomorrow.

"Our 60th Anniversary tournament is proving to be the best ever and it is great that a sporting event with such history continues to attract talented sides and an enthusiastic crowd."

One of those enthusiastic supporters was Roger Gunn, from the UK who is in town to visit his son but returned to the club after being part of the winning sevens side in 1963. In those days it was a local event and RAF Changi ‘A' were the victorious side. Roger then went on to represent both Singapore and Malaysia in the 15-a-side game and became vice-captain of SCC in 1965.

It is an event for all the family with excitement on and off the pitch: the fun continues from 8am Sunday morning.

Top 16 teams which qualify for the Ablitt Cup:
Tepapapap Barbarians
Hong Kong Dragons
Davetalevu
Impala
South African Vipers
Sharks Academy
Randwick
Oriental Rongotai
Tri Line Seniors
Ponsonby
USA Eagles
PNG Rookies
Mendee Minjals