In our first pre-season tournament for 2015, SUFC competed in the annual Crescent Head Sevens competition last weekend – the perfect opportunity for some of our boys to play against some very quality rugby opposition as the Shute Shield tournament fast approaches.
A team of 12, including coach Julian Huxley (who pulled on the jersey after a late drop out), made their way 5 hours up the north coast late on Friday afternoon to be ready for competition early on Saturday morning.
Up against Hawthorne first at 8.48am, the boys pulled on the Blue and Gold hoops for the first time in 2015, signalling the start of a big season for the club.
Despite a tight battle at half time, with Sam Quinn scoring right on the bell to level the score to 5-5, it was not the start the team had hoped for. The very young team (with Huxley being the only player over 23 and our youngest just 17!) were out muscled, going down 22-5.
The cut throat nature of 1-day Sevens competitions meant the boys were already out of contention for the Trophy, but it was the focus to then prove themselves and lift to the level they knew they were capable of.
Next up was Evans River Rugby Club, and in a brilliant display of fast-paced running Sevens and excellent team work, SUFC walked away with a comfortable 60-0 defeat with tries to Matt Hood (3), Cillian Burke (2), James Kane (2), Banjo Travers (2) and Mitchell Whiteley.
Qualifying then for the Bowl Quarter Finals, the next opposition was a completely different line-up, playing Muswellbrook whose speed and strength were immediately apparent. The boys were able to hold on for much of the game, demonstrating some excellent attacking efforts, however eventually Muswellbrook gained momentum, winning 22-12.
Unfortunately that was the end of the Crescent Head Sevens competition for SUFC. Although it was not the result the boys were looking for, the chance to get time on the field in a game context will be invaluable for their progression leading into the Shute Shield, giving them the chance to identify their focuses for the remainder of the pre-season.
A huge thank you to Julian Huxley for continuing to coach the boys throughout the pre-season and in competitions. The boys are so lucky to have such experience at leading them. We wish Hux the best of luck as he continues to coach the boys into the next Sevens competition in Kiama.
Thank you also to Hannah Catchpole for managing and organising the team throughout the trip, and our travelling physio Josie Logue.
SUFC Crescent Head Sevens Team:
Julian Huxley (coach)
Samuel Quinn
Jake Wainwright
Justin Fourie
Mitchell Whiteley
James Kane
Hugh Summerhayes
Banjo Travers
Tom Koerstz
Matt Hood
Tom Wilson
Cillian Burke