Ben Elliot assesses BLK Hurricanes’ summer of Sevens
BLK Hurricanes at Ealing
©The Rugby Agents/BLK Hurricanes
Ben Elliot believes BLK Hurricanes’ maiden season in the Super Sevens Series has given them confidence that they can consistently challenge on the elite circuit.
The Rugby Agents teamed up with BLK/Active Limited to compete in the Super Sevens Series after five years on the UK 7s course.
The SSS is one of the most prestigious elite Sevens competitions with invitational teams also battling alongside three international sides.
The Hurricanes reached the knockout stages of all four of the legs in the series, including two finals, which saw them finish third in the overall competition.
Rugby Agents Director Jonny Stiles said he is “excited by what the future holds” as BLK Hurricanes aim to compete and win against some of the top sides in the UK and Elliot echoes his viewpoint.
“It has been a really good year,” said Elliot.
“We went into the Super Sevens series for the first time. In previous years, we have been an invitational team for one of the legs so actually going on to the series for the first time has been really good.
“There was a lot of learning for the boys early on, but we built really well. We got through to two finals at Chester and Ealing in the last two legs so this year, we really started to establish ourselves as a strong, elite team in the country.
“For myself, it was great to develop and we managed to keep a good squad together which has been consistent throughout the tournaments.
“We have certainly exceeded our expectations as a squad. It gives us a good bar to set ourselves going into next year to try and build on that. Hopefully we can go one better and win one of the legs and try and displace teams like the Army or Samurai from one of those top spots they seem to take each year.”
Along with reaching the finals at Chester and Ealing, BLK Hurricanes made it to the last eight of the Bury St Edmunds tournament and the semi-finals in Maidenhead.
During that time, they came up against one of the international teams on the circuit, Jamaica, who are in action at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in America this coming weekend.
“They are a good strong side that have evolved during the tournaments,” Elliot added.
“Certainly, when they had their boys together that have been to the Commonwealth Games and have been together for a number of competitions, they looked like a talented side.
“They seem to be learning a lot as they go on and that was reflected by their performances in each leg. They will make a good showing of themselves over at the World Cup and it will be a fantastic experience for them to go out there to San Francisco.”
Elliot also competed at an elite level for Red Panda Sevens this season in other tournaments across the UK.
The side, led by English Universities 7s head coach Rob Jones, won the cup at Chester 7s and reached the semi-finals and beyond in four of their other competitions and Elliot enjoyed his time with another improving elite side.
He added: “The standard of competition which both BLK and Red Panda go to are very similar.
“It is a very young squad which keeps on getting better and they are really building. In the next year or the year after, they will certainly be looking to be involved in the Super Series because of the standard they are playing at.
“I think if they can get the consistency of the same boys turning out for each of their tournaments, they will really build.”
“If the Red Panda boys develop themselves in the Sevens side of the game more, then they will certainly improve.”
Elliot admits he has relished his Sevens campaign this year and revealed his highlights of the season as well as his future plans in the game.
Mike Adlard in action for BLK Hurricanes. Photo Credit: The Rugby Agents/BLK Hurricanes
He continued: “At BLK one of the highlights was Mike Adlard. He was actually the ‘Top Gun’ meaning he was the top try scorer in the Super Sevens Series. He had outstanding footwork and some great pace.
“For myself, one thing that standouts was a pretty memorable try against Jamaica when we played at Maidenhead.
“I enjoyed more of a coaching role by just passing on my experience this year and that is something in the next few years that I want to get into once I am not quick enough for Sevens!”
