CLUB SEVENS COMES TO MURRAYFIELD
Posted: 21/Nov/05
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The inaugural Scotsman Club Sevens tournament will be held this Saturday (26 November) at Murrayfield with the final being played on the international pitch at half time during the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test between Scotland and New Zealand.

All 12 BT Premiership Division One teams will take part in the tournament which will be played on the back pitches in the lead up to the final test match of the series. The first round of pool matches will kick-off at 10.30am.

The pool matches will be played on a single pitch in the shadow of the national stadium and the final will consist of one seven minute half on the international pitch. A hooter will sound to end the final.

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Gordon McKie said: “Sevens is a superb vehicle for player development and a means of encouraging people to take up the game of rugby. Scotland gave birth to sevens over a hundred years ago and players around the country are still playing and enjoying the abbreviated version of the game today.

“This initiative will also give two teams the chance to play on the international pitch as Scotland take on New Zealand in the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test. That will be the chance of a lifetime for those players and I’m delighted to give them the opportunity. This is also the first of many corporate and community initiatives that I am keen to introduce to the game in Scotland,” he added.

As Scotland 7s prepare to depart for the IRB Sevens tournaments in Dubai and George at the beginning of December, coach Rob Moffat said: “Sevens is a fantastic tool for developing players’ skills and fitness, especially in the modern game, and I’m delighted to see club sevens coming to Murrayfield on the day of a major international.

“We played Argentina in a curtain-raiser ahead of the first Autumn Test and it was a great success. It meant a huge amount to the players to run out in front of a home crowd at the national stadium and I’m sure the two teams who reach the final on Saturday will find it equally inspiring,” he added.

Donald Walker, Sports Editor at The Scotsman said: “The Scotsman are proud to be involved as tournament partners with the Club Sevens and wish the competing teams all the very best in the tournament.”

THE DRAW FOR THE SCOTSMAN CLUB SEVENS TOURNAMENT

Pool A
Glasgow Hawks
Ayr
Melrose

Pool B
Watsonians
Aberdeen GSFP
Biggar

Pool C
Hawick
Currie
Stewart’s Melville FP

Pool D
Heriot’s
Boroughmuir
Stirling County

- 2 points for a win, 1 for a draw.
- If teams draw on points, the team with the most tries over their two games goes through. If still equal, team with most points goes through. If still equal, the team with largest points difference goes through.

10.30am Pool A Ayr v Melrose
10.45am Pool B Aberdeen GSFP v Biggar
11am Pool C Currie v Stewart’s Melville FP
11.15am Pool D Boroughmuir v Stirling County
11.30am Pool A Glasgow Hawks v Melrose
11.45am Pool B Watsonians v Biggar
12noon Pool C Hawick v Stewart’s Melville FP
12.15pm Pool D Heriot’s v Stirling County
12.30pm Pool A Glasgow Hawks v Ayr
12.45pm Pool B Watsonians v Aberdeen GSFP
1pm Pool C Hawick v Currie
1.15pm Pool D Heriot’s v Boroughmuir
1.30pm Winner of Pool A v winner of Pool C
1.45pm Winner of Pool B v Winner of Pool D

This article was posted on 21-Nov-2005, 15:07 by Hugh Barrow.