Tour Report: New York 7s 2000

by Craig MacDonald

UNC's celebrated Sevens squad made their first outing of 2000 at the 42nd Annual New York Sevens last weekend. Having endured Craig's driving for 500 miles on the Friday the squad was met by the overwhelming hospitality of the Buechner and Braithwaite families. They quickly took it upon themselves to calm the frayed nerves of everyone who had ridden with Craig while also plying us with as much food and drink as we could possibly handle.

After a good night's rest, for Craig, the team took to the field at 9am against last year's runners up Holy Cross. They, however, proved no match for the Tar Heel juggernaut as we rode, rough shod, over their meagre challenge thanks, largely, to Tom Shienzback and Steve Buechner. Not to be outdone by the A-Team's success, the Social side won a competitive match against the Long Island Rugby Club thanks to some quick thinking by Rob "shoeless" Liechner and some exquisite moves by James "Matador" Haggie.

The First VII quickly dispatched Southern Conn and Stoney Brook to set themselves up for a titanic clash with the Stern Violets (aka the foreign Grads at NYU's Stern Business School). Unfortunately, the second game of the Social section would herald the end of the gents, as the Social side became known, roller coaster run, they lost to Universite de Sherbrocke in a game that got away from them in the second half.

And so to the semi final....UNC went behind mid-way through the first half, against the run of play according to Dan Rather who was watching from the left touchline. The Violets lead, however, did not last much into the second half after Craig MacDonald confused the try line with a burger joint and burst through the line with a ferocity last seen in his Freshman year at Chase Dining Hall. From then on in it as all UNC as the boys led by Mike Baker the Bike Maker and Derek "I'm so vain they've probably written a song about me" Cool, controlled the show.

The final was, in the end, a step to far as a useful Colorado State team outlasted the Heels, scoring the winning try just as time expired. Nevertheless, we had played throughout with considerable style and our infamous Leapfrog lineout stole whatever show there was to steal.

The post match shenanigans were ably led by Messrs. Braithwaite, Jones, Lewis and Baker. Alistair Cooper, back from sabbatical, also made something felt, but I don't think it was his force. All in all, a great time was had by all...so watch out NY 'cause we'll be back.

Jennifer Lopez stud of the Tourney: Mike "Bike Maker" Baker

Read the tournament write up from Rugby Magazine.

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Created Jan 03, 2006. 10:00 am
Modified Jan 03, 2006. 10:00 am