Highland come out on top to claim victory at Kirkcaldy Sevens
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HIGHLAND were crowned champions of the Kirkcaldy Sevens as they came out on top to pick up their first victory of the summer season.
The Inverness club were victorious after they defeated Hearts and Balls in the final 17-14 to lift the trophy which was played for the first time in five years.
Captain Hugo Crush was also named as player of the tournament to mark off a double success for the club in Fife.
He says it was a terrific performance from the club, who gained revenge against Hearts and Balls in the final after losing to them in the group stage.
“It was the first sevens tournament that the club have taken part in this year,” he said.
“The tournament started as two groups of five teams and the top two from each group went through.
“We were runners-up in our group to Hearts and Balls after losing to them by a point.
“But we beat Dundee in the semi final and then beat Hearts and Balls in the final.”
Highland are planning to play in six tournaments during the summer over the course of three weekends and are looking to field at least two teams.
Crush says sevens rugby is something that the club are trying to develop and ensure anyone that wants to play has the chance of competitive action.
He says sevens rugby skills can also transfer into the XV’s game and there is a chance for players to stake a claim in the National One team next season.
“In the last couple of years, we have started to build a bit of a sevens culture. A few individuals have really driven it which is good.
“We are starting to get noticed in the sevens game more, in the last few years, we have been hunting around and trying to invite ourselves into sevens competitions.
“But this year, competitions organisers see we have a good team and we are getting some more invites.
“The squad had a good mix of players with a lot of young players being involved in the first sevens competition.
“The average age of the squad was around 19-20 which is really good.”
It is a great chance for the younger players, especially for backs about learning how to take players on one-on-one and use those skills into the XV’s game for next season.
“Even in defence about learning to take a hit and get back up again, there is a lot of transferable skills to take into XV’s.”
The club’s next tournament is the Musselburgh Sevens which takes place on Saturday, May 4.
