After months of waiting, a few weeks of desperately trying not to catch Covid, and two thousand topless photos of Lewis, the time was finally upon us, and the Apache squad made their way to the desert for the 2021 Emirates Dubai 7s.
The squad arrived in Dubai in dribs and drabs over the preceding week as a handful of the keener members of the squad decided that some acclimatisation would help their game. Now acclimatisation would usually refer to playing rugby / doing fitness in 30 degree heat, but as any young rugby player knows, there are other things you can do in the 30 degree heat that will make you feel equally as ill in the aftermath…
After the various early arrivals, the whole squad finally assembled on Wednesday at the salubrious Marina Byblos Hotel, 3 of your finest stars. A few hours by the pool was followed by our first training session as a team at the Dubai English Speaking College and then on to a team meal at Cargo, Pier 7, generously mostly funded (in absentia) by Hursty.
Thursday brought Day 1 of the 7s and after the usual late arrivals to the meet (shout out to Lailand and Timi with another shout out to Lailand for forgetting to bring rugby boots to a rugby tour), we were ready to crack on. Apache were drawn in a tough pool with Militaire (a French Military / Development team), Jesters and France A, with a game against the former up first. Once the players had found pitch 6, after Max (affectionately now known as “peg boy” - apparently something to do with a pirate fancy dress costume, or something) had accidentally wandered into the main stadium thinking he was playing for GB, we did our blowout, then warm up, then were into the game.
Despite November being over, Movember was very much still alive within the Apache ranks and with our very own Lord Kitchener (Johnny) lookalike on board, we were ready to take on Militaire. As with all military teams, it was a physical start but knowing that this was likely to be the most winnable pool game, the boys dug deep to log a 26-17 win and get things off to a good start. Sadly the strong start did not continue and the second game against an international packed Jesters team resulted in a 29-0 loss. A tough first day but one win out of two set us up well going into day 2 against France A.
With our final group game not until 6pm the following day, this allowed the boys the chance to see the fireworks along Jumeira Beach for the 50th UAE National Day and a sunrise from the Burj Khalifa (why someone with an irrational fear of heights thought it was a good idea to go up the tallest building in the world is still something that I’m not 100% clear on, perhaps Dec will explain it to me one day) before heading down to the ground later in the afternoon to take on the French and thrash out the decider for 2nd place in the pool.
Apache started the game well, and evenly, but sadly after a couple of minutes some unusual refereeing decisions started to creep into the game and what should have been a highlight of the weekend, quickly descended into a shambles, with a final score of 28-12 to the French, sending Apache through 3rd and into the Bowl Quarter Final. Dispirited from the earlier defeat, things did not improve against Germany Development (beaten quarter final opponents from 2019) where two late tries gave them a 20-5 victory. This sent Apache into the Shield and turned the Team Captain into a raging Incredible Hulk!
After a tough second day, Apache regrouped and drew UR7s in the Shield Semi Finals. With a number of familiar faces in their ranks (former Apache/current sibling – Noah, and international, Andrew Amonde, Kenya), this was all the fuel that Apache needed and Friday quickly seemed like a distant memory as they raced to a 31-0 victory, showing total control throughout the game and playing the sevens they are capable of. A bulked-up birthday boy, Troy, even managed to finish a line break he made, at the fourth time of asking! I can’t think what would have been driving him during this game particularly…
Semi-final done, Final to come, and the chance for Apache’s first silverware in Dubai, against a star studded Monaco IMPIS team that included Collins Injera (Kenya, second highest IRB try scorer of all time) and Terry Bouhraoua (1,492 points for France), among others. After a close fought first half, Apache pulled away in the second half to win 26-7 and secure the Shield.
Court was followed by team showers, laughing gas & finger relocation and the finals of the Internationals and then onto Barasti to finish the tour in style.
Kudos to Ed for 3 months of intense groundwork paying off, I’m proud, and a big thanks to Liv (Ben’s better half), as it’s always nice having girlfriends on tour for all of the female friends they bring along to support the boys...
Thanks again to all of our generous sponsors, Carrick, Stiltz, Waypoint, and Westcoast, as this would not have been possible without them and provided an amazing and memorable experience for all!
Apache currently finds itself in a transition period and with only 3 members of this squad over the age of 24, Dubai will have served as a great experience and we should be excited by the huge potential the squad has for the coming years.
Until next time…
Author: Anon.
December 2021