Easter Sunday dawned wet and windy, and looked as though several of the events planned might have to be cancelled.  As the clock ticked towards the kick off time for the first games several teams had not appeared, and it began to look as though the programme would have to be severely reduced. In the end twelve teams registered, and there was some desperate thinking to re-plan the day.  The objective is always to maximise the number of games played by each team, so eventually it was decided to play in three pools of four, giving each entry at least three games.

 

To arrive at four semi finalists the non qualifying team with the biggest points difference would make up the fourth qualifier.  The start was delayed until 1200, but from then on it ran smoothly.

 

In Pool 1 The Pink Ladies, from Camborne, had three convincing wins to win the group.  There was also a clear winner in Pool 2, but winners Cornish Jacks, from Truro, had to work hard to overcome Remedies Rhinos, Stithians, 21 – 17, to qualify.  Pool 3 was much tighter.  Two teams, Cornishmen Do It Drekly (Penryn) and Pat Butcher’s VII  (Falmouth and Penryn) each won two games but drew 12 – 12 when laying each other. Cornishmen Do It Drekly won the pool on points difference, but Pat Butchers became the fourth qualifier with the highest non qualifying points difference in the three pools.

 

The draw for the semi finals separated these two teams with Cornishmen Do It Drekly narrowly beating Cornish Jacks 26 – 24 in the first semi, and Pink Ladies winning the other semi 26 – 5 against Pat Butcher’s VII.

 In the plate final Pat Butchers ran out narrow winners over  Cornish Jacks by 19 points to 14, to give them  third place, whilst Pink Ladies used their weight and experience to overcome the very youthful Cornishmen Do It Drekly to win the 22nd Penryn Tribute Sevens by 29 points to 12.

 

The weather had improved during the early afternoon and several hundred people came to witness the games and to enjoy the reduced activities organised by Mark Smith.  The Bouncy Castle was a huge success for the under 12’s, as was the face painting.  Three teams contested the Tug of War, which was won by Harry’s Flyers, and the Children’s Fun Run was a huge success.  So, in spite of the weather conditions, it all went off extremely well, and we now look forward to Easter 2009.  The success was due entirely to the hard work of a band of dedicated volunteers, and the club extends its thanks to each an every one of them.  Thanks also go out to the sponsors headed by St Austell Brewery.  Thanks are also extended to the referees, who gave up their Easter Sunday to ensure the games flowed evenly and successfully in accordance with RFU Sevens procedures.