If you looked at the players Queens have had among their ranks in the past few seasons you'd think there might be a half decent 7's side in there somewhere.

Sam Morris, Andrew Jackson, Jon Wells and Stewart Shinkwin all posses the type of pace that could see them score from anywhere on the pitch. Dave Hull, Ryan Lennon and Chris Bell are all hard, powerful runners alongside two dynamic back rowers in the form of Henry Williams and the enigma that is Chris Fa'alau.

Unfortunately and in typical Queens fashion. Those 9 players were either injured or unavailable (or back in NZ!) this weekend so Queens had a rather agricultural contact based set up to 7's aided by the youthful presence of 3 BMS 1st XV players.

Queens kicked off the tournament to a powerful looking Hammerheads side. They had a team in the elite league AND the social league so everyone knew this would be a bit tricky. Missed tackles here and there saw Queens go 3-0 down at half time before they settled into the game. A great solo effort from young Finn Wheeler saw the try count 1 a piece at the final whistle- final score 22-5.

The second fixture was against Lichfield Exiles. They looked even more agricultural, older and slower than us and this was 1) the type of games we expected at this tournament and 2) a game we really really should be winning. So having gone 2 tries up- Classic show and go from Del Starling to run in from the half way and Zac Faumui showing some uncharacteristic quick thinking to dive on a slow ball and Neil Mills intercepting a line out at half way and just not quite having the legs to touch down- could Queens throw away a 2 try lead? You know the answer! Straight from the KO lichfield scored, Queens managed to piss off the ref big time and were being marched back and conceding possession at every opportunity. The prospect of actually winning a game of sevens after a few dire years in the elite comp proved too much and the Lichfield boys strolled over for another two scores. 24-10.

Lichfield warned us that W'borough would be tough oppo but in the social manner of the tournament we decided to wonder over 30 seconds before kick off with half our subs not at the pitch before kick off. Our departing coach had berated us after the Lichfield game saying 'we owe each other a win, we are not losing 3 group games etc etc.' Well straight from the kick off and the game went something like this - Queens possesion- turn over / penalty - Wellingborough runs the length. Not a lot to say really, W'borough weren't massively 'social' in victory and Del Starling received a yellow for some colourful language. 45-0 defeat.

So now Queens were in the plate of the social league and faced a Cranfield University in the quarters who also had not won a game in the group stage. From the off and it's not looking good. Their resident speedster goes down the blind side and it's all looking a bit ominous as Queens look to be throwing away a game they should be winning. But a patient and mature approach from the boys see's young number 10 Ashley Pollard run through to touch down under the posts and the scores are level at half time. The second half saw Queens much more hungry, with victory in their sites. Del starling kicked things off with a powerful burst following a good turn over from kick off. Lee Anker had now joined the fray and added a score with a burst down the right flank. Tom Clarke would then score after a rare pass from Zac Faumui after his tenth attempt to sit down the same member of the opposition and Ali Wilkinson would finish things off with a powerful dart into the corner. 5 tries to 1- job done.

Into the semi's and a tie against Castle Donnington awaited them...or so Queens thought. After waiting 30 minutes for the oppo to turn up a lad with a handle bar moustache and cowboy hat strided over to declare they only had 5-6 players and would forfeit. 1 win and Queens are in a final.

By this time- people were sunburnt and their enthusiasm for 7s had waned. The 3 BMS lads had to leave, as did Neil Mills and Simon Caddick so Queens were left with a bare bones 7 for the final against the Paggers Pirates. They'd just put 45 points on a team we'd lost to and turned up with 16 players to our 7. Del Starling would kick things off with his 3rd try of the afternoon touching down under the posts after a powerful surge from inside the oppositions 22. This would be immediately followed by a Paggers score. Queens would then score the best try of the afternoon with an 80M interplay. Good hands saw Lee Anker set free to show everyone he's still got some wheels rounding the first few defenders only to be caught with 30-40M to go. Good support play saw Tom Clarke get the offload, almost wishing he hadn't, as he hadn't quite got the legs to go in from there but kept his feet a few metres short and offloaded back to Anker to touch down right on half time.

Queens were 2 tries to 1 up but were tiring and with Paggers Pirates able to call on their back ups it was envitable they were going to finish the second half the strongest and two scores saw them victors of the Presidents Plate.

Now there was a lot of 'typical Queens,' chat being banded about during the day due to the fact we went from thinking we might have to pick a best 12 to having to get ringers in to complete the squad BUT the final showed all that's good with Queens and the final 7 players involved. Backs to the wall against a good side and Queens did themselves proud and played their best rugby of the day.

Thanks to Olney for putting on a great tournament and of course to those who came out, especially the BMS guys for making up the numbers, Stacy Yates for coming along last minute and getting horrifically sunburnt in the process and for Lee Anker for playing the last few games- his pace was much needed! Thanks also to Stapes, Jacko and Sam who came down to support, as well as new coach Sheridan Smith.

Here's to Olney 2018 and maybe, just maybe, another 7s tournament this summer-who knows.