Entries reopened... until Friday

As is the way of things, the moment entries close we find several clubs have missed out, due (it has to be said) to no fault of theirs. So entries will remain open until this Friday (31st March).

This benefits the U14 competition in particular as Milton Keynes; Thomas Becket (Northampton); Kibworth (Leics.); and Newbold would bring things up to the planned 12. The former two may also enter the U17s.

In terms of teams entered this would make Herts 7s possibly the biggest girls rugby tournament East Region has ever had, an honour it will hold for all of two weeks (32 teams being expected at this year's nationals, to be held in Harpenden).

Still, not bad considering two years ago the girls' county festival was a tag rugby event featuring only about 8 or 10 teams!

Rules for Herts Girls Sevens 2006

Herts 7s will be played to the same rules as used in the RFUW National Sevens - ie. IRB Sevens rules and regulations (taking particular note of those that apply to junior age groups), with appropriate RFUW amendments.

In designing the competition the following principles have applied:

• No player to play more than 90 minutes (IRB rule)
• No "dead rubbers" - every match to have some importance
• Clubs to be given as much opportunity as possible to play teams that they would not normally meet (so, in the opening pools of both competitions, the aim is to ensure that no two teams from the same county, or failing that the same locality within a county, will be drawn together).
• The best teams in the competition will contest the final (so there will be some seeding, based on previous festivals this season, to ensure that the strongest sides are kept apart in the opening phase).

Guesting for other sides

If, due to illness or injury, a team is short of players they will be allowed - with the agreement of the organisers - to borrow players from other sides, even if those players have already played for other teams, and continue to do so - provided that no girl may play in more than six matches in total.

Under no circumstances will such "guesting" be allowed for tactical reasons. Teams attempting to undertake such action will risk forfeiting any matches affected.

The draw

It is intended that draw will be announced early next week (once the final make-up of teams is known).

Holt & West Norfolk complete U17 entry

Holt and West Norfolk are entering combined sides in both the U14 and U17 competitions.

The clubs - who often combine for fixtures - will be making their debuts at Herts 7s, and bring the number of entries in the U17 competition up to the planned 12.

In the U14 competition - with just over a day to go - there are now nine entries.

With 21 teams taking part Herts 2006 will be nearly twice of the previous edition - amply demonstrating the dramartic growth in girls rugby in the East region. Anyone care to forecast how many will enter Herts 2007?

Deadline brings rush of entries

Well, that and seeing everyone at the international and regional games over the weeknd.

Three more clubs - Westcliff (U14s & U17s), Daventry (U14s & U17s) , and Stevenage (U17s) - have said that they will be entering Herts 7s. In addition Saracens will also be provding some U17s who can help build a "Nomads" team (we'll try to think of a better name later).

On the other hand Bishop's Stortford may not be able to make it (or at least with a full team), but all in all means this means that at least 10-12 teams are now expected in the U17s, and 8-10 in the U14s.

Two more big names announce entries for Herts 7s

Two more of the biggest names in the girls' rugby in the East Region have announced their entries for Herts 2006.

Hertford - traditionally one of the biggest names in Hertfordshire rugby - have announced their intention to enter the U17 competition. Hertford Girls is one of the oldest girls teams in the county and is packed with experience.

Meanwhile - from over the border - Basildon become the third Essex side to enter the fray. Perhaps the major name in Essex - and East Region - girls' rugby in recent years, Basildon are entering at both age groups. The club's U17s were runners up at Rochford 10s at the start of the season - can they go one better at the end?

Two more entries for Herts Sevens

The hosts of the region's premier girls 10s tournament have confirmed that they will be at Herts 2006.

Rochford Hundreds' popular 10s takes place every October, and its an event that certainly the girls at Letchworth enjoy as they recently voted it the "best day's rugby of the season". We can only hope that Herts Sevens can match that success!

It's also great to see Bishop's Stortford in the tournament. Recently revived by a new coach they played their first fixture of the season - at Letchworth - only yesterday, where they performed well against a much stronger and more experienced Letchworth & Sudbury combination. With a few more weeks to prepare, and a fast back line, Stortford will difficult opponents in the Sevens..

Sarries grab first "referees go free" spot

Within minutes of the announcements of the "bring a referee and play for free" scheme we have had our first taker - Saracens.

So that's only seven more "free" places - don't delay!

Saracens' coach Simon Shutler will now referee at the festival - and as a result his U14 girls will be taking part - free, gratis, and for nothing.

It was Simon who coached the victorious U14 Barbarians side at last year's Sevens - a team largely based on Saracens' and Welwyn's U14 team. With both of these teams now entered the U14 competition becomes even more interesting - which one of last year's partners will win the title. Or will it go to someone else?

Limited offer: Bring a ref, play for free!

The usual problem of getting officials for girls rugby events continues, so to spark a bit of interest here is a great opportunity...

Provide a referee for Herts Sevens, and enter your clubs teams free!

That's right - no entry fees for those that bring referees.

Obviously you will not be able to ref your own team, and ideally not games in your own team's group, but we will try to arrange your refereeing duties around your teams games so that when your team are playing on one pitch you are not ref-ing on another (nothing guaranteed, mind!).

We need up to eight refs (thus allowing you every other game off) - so its a limited offer. Strictly first come, first served!

PS: We also have provision to pay referees, if that would be preferred!

Welwyn Warriors go for a unique double double

They started the season by doing the "double" at the region's leading 10s tournament, can they finish it by making it a "double-double" at the region's main 7s festival?

That's the challenge facing Welwyn Warriors who today confimed their entry for Herts 2006.

This season Welwyn have emerged as the region's most sucessful side. Their win at the Rochford 10s festival was achieved thanks to a strong Under-17 side which crusied through most of its games up to the final, and an Under-14 side that failed to conceed a single try in the entire event.

The girls from mid-Herts finished runners-up to Fullerians in last years Herts Sevens U17 event at Cheshunt, and formed the core of the Barbarians side that triumphed in the U14 event. But most of that Fullers side now play adult rugby - so can anyone stop Welwyn this time?

We'll find out in just over eight weeks...

England team's photographer to cover Herts 2006

The official photographers to the RFUW, RugbyMatters, have confirmed that they will be at this year's Herts Sevens.

RugbyMatters - part of SportMatters - photograph all England internationals, as well as regional tournaments, Super League, National League, and other major women's rugby events. Pictures are published on their website within a few days and can then be ordered online.

Last month they were at Old Albanians for the England vs Wales international and took several pictures of the Hertfordshire U14s exhibition game.

Herts 2006 wins backing of Letchworth Hertitage Foundation

Hertfordshire Girls Sevens 2006 are delighted to be able to announce their first sponsor - Letchworth Garden City Hertitage Foundation - who will be helping us in a number of ways, including the production of tournment programmes.

The Hertiage Foundation (http://www.lgchf.com/) is an unusual - possibly unique - body which was set up some ten years ago to promote the town and manage the Garden City estate - that is the land and other assets on which Letchworth is built, including where Letchworth Rugby Club is based. All of the profits from managing these resources are ploughed back into the town in the form of grants to individuals and clubs, and building projects (such as the North Herts Leisure Centre, behind which the rugby club can be found).