The RAF Centenary 7s were held at the home of Oxford University Rugby Club, at Iffley Road Oxford on Friday 1st June 2018 to celebrate RAF 100.
The event was a great success with teams coming from around the world including Switzerland, India and Afghanistan.
Indeed the first game was unique, with the RAF Spitfires taking on Afghanistan 7s for the first time ever; the RAF winning 33-7.
Teams competed in a series of pool games before progressing to the Bowl, Plate and Cup competitions. The crowd enjoyed the fantastic 7s rugby as well as a parachute display and a flypast, food and music.
The results saw Horus 7s (from ADW, Brize Norton) beat Afghanistan in the Bowl Final. The Plate was won by St Edwards Martyrs (St. Edwards School Oxford – the school where Douglas Bader and Guy Gibson were educated), beating the RAF Hurricanes and Jungle Crows (India) on the way.
The Cup Competition was closely fought with Switzers 7s narrowly beating the RAF Spitfires to play Oxford University in the Cup Final (Oxford beat the British Army on route to the final). The Cup Final was won by Oxford 17-0 in an intense and entertaining game.
Squadron Leader Tim Barlow, Director and Head Coach of the RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes 7s and Tournament Organiser said,
“This has been a great event for the RAF 7s. We have cemented our relationship with all participating teams and we have seen our players perform at a high level, developing the players for future 7s and 15s in the RAF. The event has been immensely popular with the teams and spectators alike. Visitors saw what 7s (now an Olympic sport) can offer – power, pace, flair, teamwork and unbelievable skill on the pitch as well as the friendship and camaraderie off it. In particular this is something the RAF 7s has developed with the teams we hosted – a great advert for the RAF in our Centenary year. A parachute display and flypast were the icing on the cake. We just need more people to come to watch in the future, it’s a great day of nonstop entertainment. All of this would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors Shepherd-Neame/Spitfire Ale, Canterbury who make our fabulous kit and Oxford University Rugby Club who hosted us - Thank you all”.
Squadron Leader Tim Barlow MBE
Director and Head Coach of the RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes 7s