Cobwebs blown off X-Rugby 7s style

A warm sunny afternoon and a free Sunday gave us the perfect opportunity to try the new format being pushed by the RFU. X-Rugby 7s is a 7 a side game played on half pitch, full contact with some law modifications (X-rugby7s.com for more info).
With some reservations from both players and coaches, it would be interesting to see how everyone adapted.
A few minutes in and all worries evaporated. Both teams took to it with great enthusiasm although the hard ground was a little unforgiving. Ampthill employed very direct physical tactics and it was clear, with no sweepers, one on one tackles were absolutely critical in this format. On the whole, ONs defence was resolute although any lapses in concentration were soon exposed by Ampthill. Soon the ONs girls were cheering up the coaching team by running at spaces not faces and some great support lines, deft handling and scything runs had the scoreboard racking up at some pace. It was clear, you don't have to get it very wrong in this game to end up the wrong end of the scoreboard. Regular breaks for coaching and player rotations to get everyone game time over the two pitches gave us valuable time for Katy to search for valuable electrolytes which she had apparently lost?
after several games, it was clear there is a fair bit of fun to be had with this game and the shortened format makes it more appealing than full pitch 7s for those not overly keen on sprinting the full length.
There were plenty of standout performances but for sheer sharpness of running lines, handling and a delightfully weighted grubbed that sat up nicely for her to finish in style, Player of the Match went to Lowri Griffiths