GB 7s Tour Is 'Great Opportunity' For Tom

Rugby sevens has flourished in recent years, since its humble beginnings at Melrose Rugby Football Club in 1883.

Competitions are enjoyed throughout the country, ranging from club tournaments, school competitions, regional series, university events, the Premiership sevens and the IRB World Series. Furthermore, sevens can now be found as a part of both the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

2013 saw another added to sevens rugby’s calendar: the high performance GB 7’s Tour. The new nationwide tournament kicked off in June featuring Britain’s 8 top sevens teams, who competed in three one day tournaments, held on consecutive Saturdays.

The competition began in North Wales at Eirias Park of Colwyn Bay, where the Wailers, based in the North East, won stage one, beating Apache 36-22 in a dramatic final.

Wailer’s Daniel Rundle was the day’s standout player, helping steer his team to victory with a brace of tries, making it nine for the day.

Week two saw Scotland’s turn to welcome Britain’s top sevens players, as the stage was held at Edinburgh’s Meggetland sports complex.

In similar fashion, the event boasted big crowds and scintillating rugby. Samurai stunned league leaders Wailers in the day’s final, as Sam Cross scored a last gasp try to secure a thrilling 34-33 win, in what was arguably the game of the tour.

The final stage was held in London at Saracen’s Allianz Park on their magnificent 4g surface. Samurai and Wailers headed into the round all square at the top of the championship table.

Samurai set the tone for the day, winning all three of their pool A matches before brushing aside Crawshays Welsh 38-12 in their semi-final. However, the Wailers did not have the same fortune, suffering three defeats on the day. Like the first stage, it was Apache, who made their way to the final, eventually losing 41-26 to the competition’s overall winners Samurai.

Daniel Rundle of the Wailers came out as the tour’s top-try scorer with 17, and with 109 it was Apache’s James Hawken who ended at the top of the individual points table.

Another player to have impressed throughout the inaugural Gb 7’s series was Apache’s 22-year old winger, Tom Brown.

Brown, an ex-Bath University student, scored six tries throughout the competition; helping his side to two stage finals.

Having previously played for Apache, with a number of good performances under his belt, the 22-year old was selected for the first leg of the season at Colwyn Bay.

When speaking to Talking Rugby Union, Tom emphasised how he was “delighted” to have been selected for the tournament’s first meet. After a fine first tournament, Tom deservedly retained his position in the squad for the following two stages, in Edinburgh and London.

“The 2013 season was my first proper year of 7’s rugby”, explained Tom; “one which was a great opportunity for me.

“I’ve had a brilliant time with Apache this season. The team managed to replicate the ‘feel’ of a proper club.

"There was a real ‘friendly quality’ about the atmosphere and a great group of people; with all players playing for each other.

"I believe the team’s spirit and unity were both critical factors in why we did so well.

“For me, it was the atmosphere at Apache that was the highlight of my 7’s year”.

Rather than personal triumphs, of which there were many, it was the “opportunity to get involved with Apache and the team’s ethos” that Brown spoke most fondly of.

Also a gifted fifteens player, Tom is currently signed for Rosslyn Park in National 1.

"I hope to develop both my 15’s and 7’s game this season at Rosslyn, with an aim of being able to transfer a number of skills between the two disciplines."

However, the winger did maintain that “7’s suits me more; it’s the area where I want to direct my career”.

At the end of the GB 7’s calendar, unfortunately, Tom suffered a torn TCL in his knee, which is currently prohibiting from pre-season training. However, Brown strongly believes that he is “hopefully only a few months from training again and, eventually, full fitness”.

When asked about his allegiances and plans for next summer’s 7’s, after a full season at Rosslyn Park, he asserted that he will “be playing on the GB 7’s circuit” once again, “of course, for Apache”.