SEA View RFC have picked up their first piece of silverware on English soil!

Their good friends from Abbey Wood RFC invited them to take part in the BAWA 7s taking place in Bristol, and a 12-man squad of 7s specialists travelled over the bridge to take part.

The squad met at the Café Continental (their new home on Barry Island) before departing in convoy for the crossing to England.

Having arrived in good spirit they started to eye up the competition, and in confident mood, watched the first match - a tight-fought affair between the hosts Abbey Wood RFC and Air Bus RFC, with the latter taking the honours.

Sea View then took the field against British Aircraft Construction RFC and set the tone with a crunching tackle that many a seasoned international would have been proud of, delivered by club Captain Leon Ford. This set the Sea View up for an attacking, flowing style of play led by Damion Huggins, breaking the defensive line time and again. Ethan Dicks in full flow ran in the first of his 5 tries to stamp Sea View's authority on the match. Tom ‘Nemo’ Cotter, playing at scrum half, controlled the attacking lines with competence and authority, putting Chris West in for his first of 9 tries. This match was won 4 tries to 3.

The following matches saw Sea View progress through to the cup half of the competition and the main final. During the match against Air Bus RFC Jon Blake, on a trademark barnstorming run, sucked in enough defenders to create space for Ben Cotter to deliver a fast ball for the wing to score again.

This proved to be Sea View's toughest match, resulting in a loss of 3 tries to 2. Other results saw the View needing to top their group by registering a 5 try win against the hosts Abbey Wood RFC. With a flowing confidence running through the team and some strong ruck work from Steve ‘Hollywood’ Ball, Sam Bowditch and Jay Angove, the View ran in 4 tries in as many minutes. Strong running by Aaron Bond, taking the ball deep into the Abbey Wood half, allowed Jake Williams to take advantage of space to beat two players and run 40 metres to score another try. The second half saw Leon Ford also get on to the scoreboard with a lung bursting 30-metre effort. Sea View ran in another 3 tries to win the game 9 tries to 1, giving a positive try count to put them into the final of the Cup competition.

The final saw Sea View meet BAC RFC. This was always going to be a tight match and so it proved as the Sea View went 2 tries down almost from the kick off. Such was the confidence in the squad that just before half time Jon Blake again went another barnstorming run which allowed him to create space for Jake Williams to feed Chris West into open space, with a well worked try that saw all 7 players involved.

With a strong half time talk from the coaches Antony ‘Willo’ Williams and Frank Greig, the View hit back from the restart. Chris West caught the ball, set his sights and bursting through two would-be tacklers, ran 50 metres to level the scores.

The second half was hard fought with neither side giving an inch but eventually the superior fitness levels of the View saw them gain the upper hand and get the decisive score.

As the referee blew the final whistle the Sea View players, Coaches and the all-important travelling supporters, celebrated another epic Welsh win over the old enemy! The View returned home to the Café Continental (AKA the Dolphin), with their first piece of silverware, to party long into the night.

Once again, thanks to the loyal supporters for travelling to the event and Abbey Wood RFC for the invitation/ Above all, the Club would like to recognise the continued effort of the Sea View players in turning a once ‘rookie’ outfit into a well-respected and proud member of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Sea View are looking for players to help strengthen both 1st XV and 2nd XV teams. Whether you are a fully-seasoned player or total rugby novice, they want you!

Take a look at the website at www.seaviewrfc.co.uk or contact the club mobile on 07985 348260 for information.