Carrick Sevens 2014 Summary
The Guinness Carrick Sevens took place as usual over the May Bank Holiday week-end. Although the weather was not always as kind as it might have been, attendances were good over the week-end although the numbers at the Friday evening competition were down because of the rival attraction of the official opening of the re-developed Ravenhill.
The week-end’s events started with the Samurai Sportswear Under 19s competition on Friday 2nd May. The Bowl was won by Belfast Met who overwhelmed Carrick in the final while the Plate went to Queen’s who scored seven tries to three in beating Bangor by 45 points to 19 in their final. The main Cup competition was won by the IRFU President’s Select team who beat Edinburgh College by 26 points to 10 in the final . The Player of the Tournament was Greg O’Shea from the President’s Select team.
Saturday 3rd May was devoted to the Quigg Golden Open Competition which produced one of the closest finishes in recent years. The Bowl was won by Edinburgh College who defeated Wigtonshire in the final by 52 points to 14. The Plate went to Queen’s based Blue Flag Heroes who overcame Malone outfit Bromigos by 52 points to 15. In the closely contested final of the main competition, Ulster Exiles edged out Newcastle Exiles by 24 points to 21 to take the prize money and the Holmes Salver. The Player of the Tournament was adjudged to be Epi Rapu of Newcastle Exiles.
On Sunday 4th May, there were three competitions, with a special category for Ladies development sides this year as well as the usual men’s and ladies tournaments. The Ladies development sides competition was won by Ballynahinch. The main Ladies competition, sponsored by Abbey Insurance, was run as a sevens tournament this year instead of in the ten aside format adopted in previous years. The Bowl competition in this tournament was won by Belfast Harlequins who defeated Carrick by 17 points to 5 in the final. The Plate was taken by English visitors Novos Panthers who beat City of Derry by 17 points to 12 in their final. The main competition for the Forever Living Products Cup was won by Queen’s who inflicted a rare Carrick Sevens defeat on Cooke, winning a hard fought final by 24 points to 21. Eliza Downey of Cooke was awarded the Player of the Tournament prize.
In the mens’ Manvik Qualifying Competion, the Bowl was won by Academy who beat Lisburn by 41 points to 12 in the final while the Plate, and the Simms Salver, went to Larne who, in a major upset, beat Carrick by 24 points to 10. The overall competition for the Price Cup was won by CIYMS who outscored Bangor by 40 points to 22 in the final. Player of the Tournament was James Henley of Bangor.
Despite the cool and showery weather, and competing attractions, this was another successful Guinness Carrick Sevens which again attracted many visitors to the Borough, including many regulars from England and Scotland.
