RUGBYA DEPLETED number of teams took part in Sandown and Shanklin Rugby Club’s annual Easter sevens tournament thanks to the credit crunch.
Among the teams unable to make the tournament were Milton Keynes RFC — who had hoped to field three squads — after many of their players were made redundant from their jobs at a car factory.
There were also non-appearances from IW RFC and Ventnor.
In the end, eight teams kicked off, three from Sandown and Shanklin, Ryde, the Multiple Scorasums (Old Rydiens and university players), Pulborough, ‘Roland Memorial Mime’ and ‘Bananas’, a team organised by Harry Jennings from Yarmouth featuring many university players.
The plate final was won by Hurricanes III beating Multiple Scorasums 41-7, while the main final was won by Bananas 26-7, against Hurricanes I.
Thanks to officials John Edwards, Mike Gill, Peter Cunningham, Richard Showan and a guest from London referees, John Chatfield, for taking part.