7s Series Final: Gloucester Rugby defend crown

The Cherry Whites, who topped Group B on home turf at Kingsholm, overcame Northampton Saints, Cardiff Blues and then Newport Gwent Dragons in the final.

Pace merchant Reynolds touched down twice while Henry Purdy was just as impressive – and the next competition on their radar is the World Club 7s at Twickenham next weekend.

But hosts Harlequins also emerged with a prize after advancing far enough in the Series Final to follow Gloucester into the World Club 7s.

In the first quarter-final clash Dan Fish bulldozed through on the left to hand Cardiff Blues the lead over Leicester Tigers, who promptly fought back through Andy Bulumakau’s converted try.

Oli Bryant extended their advantage in the second half but Fish closed the gap with under a minute to go – before the Welsh region clinched a dramatic turnaround 19-14 through Tom Williams.

Gloucester picked up from where they left off at Kingsholm as Bill Meakes (2) Dan Thomas and Rhodri McAtee crossed over in the first half against Northampton Saints.

The Saints responded through Will Allman but new signing Purdy, Ben Vellacott (2), Lloyd Evans all helped the Cherry Whites lay down a sizable marker for the night in a 50-5 thumping.

Next up Harlequins gave The Stoop something to roar about early on as Jordan Burns sped away for the try, only for London Irish’s Cam Cowell to bite back in quick fashion.

But Jack Maslen developed breathing space for the hosts before the interval and, though Johnny Williams hit back for Irish, the eye-catching Burns and Gavin Dampies finished the job 26-10.

A piece of magic from captain Tom Catterick inspired Newcastle Falcons to an opening score against the

Dragons – zig-zagging through the line to set up Tom Wilson – but a missed conversion in front of the posts would cost them dear.

Ben Morris made it 10-0 before the break but Dragons weren’t down and out as Sam Cross’ converted try reduced the arrears.

Soon after Angus O’Brien snatched the lead and the Welsh region held on 12-10 to dump the Falcons out of the cup.

First up in the semis was Gloucester and Blues – both teams will face off against each other next weekend in the World Club 7s at Twickenham – and the try-happy Meakes drew first blood for the Cherry Whites.

The equally deadly Fish touched down either side of a Purdy try but Gloucester’s speed demon, Steph Reynolds, and Sam Showering wrapped it up for the Aviva Premiership side.

Joining them in the final was the Dragons after snatching a win from under the noses of Harlequins by 19-15.

In a to-and-fro clash, Ian Clark, Burns and Dampies touched down for the hosts only for a Jonny Lewis to break away for the Dragons in the last few seconds.

However, as the furthest advancing Aviva Premiership club behind Gloucester, Quins earned their spot at Rugby HQ next weekend.

In the final Purdy got the reigning champions off to an electric start at the expense of the Dragons, with Reynolds following suit shortly after.

Lewis’ score made things tense for the Cherry Whites but they clung on 12-5 to become kings of the 7s once more.

London Irish and Leicester Tigers made it through to the plate final and it was Geordan Murphy’s men who picked up the consolation trophy.

Josh Fowles crossed over in the first half before Phil Woodhead and Rundle made sure of victory in the second by 17-0.

Article source: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Bruce-Craig-Nick-Blofeld-new-roles-Bath-Rugby/story-21939598-detail/story.html

7s Series Final: Gloucester Rugby defend crown