Page 31 - Phonebox Magazine July 2016

ARMED FORCES DAYTIN OLNEY
OLNEY RUGBY 7s
he Armed Forces Day, hosted by Olney Town Council and held in the Carlton House Club
in Olney, had a great turn out. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet up with old friends and share memories. You can nd more photographs on Facebook.com/phoneboxmag.
Quality rugby on show, despite the downpour!
The 10th anniversary Olney 7s tournament was another great occasion at the weekend, with quality rugby the name of the game despite a downpour halting play for 90minutes.
The annual event still produced many engaging encounters in the 146 games, despite the challenging conditions, with a hoarde of supporters turning up throughout the day. With scenes that could easily have been Glastonbury in the mud, spirits, sportsmanship and celebrations were evident throughout the day for what is the biggest tournament of its kind the area.
The Brakspear Men Open saw Rugby Agents and Sherrards Assassins, last year’s winners, go out in two very close semi- nals. It was Ilkley 7s (pictured, credit Jeff Bowden) who took the Olney 7s Trophy beating Coventry Nighthawks in the Final where 7s experience showed to win 19 – 5. Tom Jubb of Coventry Nighthawks was named Brakspear player of the tournament. The Stimpsons Eves Men’s Social Tournament was won by the Stinger 7s with Olney Rapscallions taking the plate. In the Lamorna B&B Ladies Open the Snowballs team (pictured, credit: Edward Cook), including a number of
familiar Olney faces, were awarded the Trophy after winning their nal against Camp Hill 20 – 0. The Girls 7s saw Buckingham win the Under 13s tournament; Newark the Under 15s; and, Esher & Cobham Swans take the Under 18 title. Olney 7s is part of the England Rugby 24/ Sevens series, and the winning Mens and Ladies teams now progress to a regional play off at Allianz Park, home of premiership rugby club Saracens, with the competition culminating in a showpiece national grand nal event with 24 teams at the end of July, hosted by England Rugby.
July 2016 | Phonebox Magazine 31