Dannevirke: Sevens excitement coming to town

Billy Ropiha, No8 for the Hawke's Bay 2 sevens team, secures the ball before running in a try against Manawatu 1 at Rugby Park last year. Photo / Christine McKay

Are you missing your rugby? The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union have once again chosen Dannevirke's rugby park to host their annual sevens tournament hit out and rugby fan Craig Boyden said there will be some very exciting rugby played.

"Dannevirke is an ideal central location for the tournament for the teams attending from Hawkes Bay (2) Manawatu (2) and Wairarapa Bush," he said. "The superb playing surface of Rugby Park's No1 field is very popular with the players as in the summer sevens season many grounds are very poorly grassed and rock hard. But thanks to the tremendous care and attention of long-term groundsman, Buck McKay Dannevirke's Rugby Park is in superb order."

This sevens tournament acts as a pre-runner for the Hurricane's area regional sevens from which five teams are chosen to attend the national sevens. "There will be some real talent on display and a lot at stake, as it's early in the season for emerging players to make their claim for regional and national honours," Mr Boyden said. "The Dannevirke Rugby Football Sub Union which administers Rugby Park welcomes all rugby lovers to attend this tournament and a extra special invitation is made to the sponsors of our sub-union to join us for a great day of rugby and some Dannevirke hospitality."

Games start at 11am on Saturday.

Draw:

Hawke's Bay Sevens draw, Dannevirke Rugby Park: 11am, Hawke's Bay 1 v Manawatu 2; 11.20am, Manawatu 1 v Wairarapa Bush; 11.40am, Manawatu 2 v Hawke's Bay 2; 12 noon, Wairarapa Bush v Hawke's Bay 1; 12.20, Manawatu 2 v Manawatu 1; 12.40, Hawke's Bay 2 v Hawke's Bay 1; 1pm, Wairarapa Bush v Manawatu 2; 1.20pm, Manawatu 1 v Hawke's Bay 2; 1.40pm, Hawke's Bay 2 v Wairarapa Bush; 2pm, Hawke's Bay 1 v Manawatu 1.