Saturday 15th June saw us take a developing squad to the annual RFU grassroots 7’s tournament at Hemsworth RUFC. For the past 6 weeks, since the season ended, we have been training every wednesday with some old heads, new seniors and emerging 17 year old colts. Introducing them to the other union code of rugby. The fast and furious 7’s!!

This has been a key vehicle used to keep the younger generation keen and interested in rugby, along with a brilliant way of letting them have a run out against senior players in a controlled environment. 10 teams took part from Rotherham Phoenix, Wheatley Hills, Burley, Hemsworth, Sheffield Oaks & Barnsley.

Thorne were drawn in group A along with Rotherham, Wheatley Hills, Sheffield Oaks 2 & Burley 1.

1st game - Wheatley Hills 19 - 24 Thornensians (W)
2nd game - Burley 7 - 34 Thornensians (W)
3rd game - Rotherham 34 - 26 Thornensians (L)
4th game - Sheffield Oaks 2 12 - 21 Thornensians (W)

After some cracking rugby played by all, losing only 1 game to a very well drilled Rotherham team, left us in 2nd position in the table. 4 tiered finals based on table finish, left us in the 2nd tier Shield Final against Sheffield Oaks 1 - who only won 2 games in the table but had the highest points scored in table B.

Looking a bit weary from the hot sun and down a few players due to injuries and time commitments, left us depleted in the ranks. The Burley massive lent us a couple of players, who had just won their respective Plate final against Wheatley, plumped up the subs bench in what was a bit of thriller!

A physical encounter from the start, there was an obvious size difference from Sheffield Oaks 1, who looked up for it. The training over the past few weeks took effect, and the addage of no contact in attack meant that we spun the ball from east to west constantly, picking the gaps when we needed to and resetting the line when the gaps were closed. Cool heads were needed in the afternoon sun and eventually the Oaks line was breached, 7-0. A slip in concentration let Oaks through in the corner, but they failed to kick the conversion 7-5 at half time. A cool drink and a chat at half-time, pumping the lads up for the second half.

From the off, Sheffield Oaks 1 hit the ball running and were camped on our line. A stirling defensive effort, dragging an attacking player over the dead ball line seemed to take a lot of energy from the Oaks attack! Back to the young guns attacking a seemingly impenetrable defense opened up for 1 more converted try! - FINAL SCORE 14-5!

The youngest team in the comp came away with the Shield, our best result in 3 years attendance. The future looks bright for the club with the majority of these lads set to carry on this level of rugby into the 2025/26 season.

More photos of the day can be seen here - Hemsworth 7s