Featured Team (25.02.08) - Khobar-Quins

The Khobar-Quins who are kit supplied by Samurai, is a newly established team based in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The team are formed through a merger of players from the Al-Khobar Eagles and the Khamis Mushayt Quins. 

Players from the team are often selected to play in Arabia Gulf RFC competitions as part of the Saudi Select team. The team is also the current champions of the Bahrian Arabian Night Midnight 10’s tournament which they won in March 2007. In addition to this victory the team won the Plate competition in the Bahrain Open 10’s and reached the quarter finals at the Dubai 7’s Vets. They defeated HMS Cornwall with a run-away score of 60-28 and suffered a loss of 10-7 in a closely-contested game against HMS Campbletown. The photograph above shows Khobar lock forward Al Steins taking a line out ball during a recent match.

With so many victories in such a short period of time, the Khobar-Quins seems to be a team with a lot of determination. Keep an eye out for them in the up and coming March 2008 Bahrain Arabian Night Midnight 10’s. Or check out their website: www.khobarquins.com.

St Edmunds Bury the Competition

Bury St Edmunds RFC took home the Suffolk Cup after a victorious 64-19 win against Ipswich RFC on Sunday 24^th February. The game started out with a few jittery mistakes from Bury St Edmunds resulting them going behind 6-0 after just 10 minutes. A determined Bury side, kitted out in Samurai rugby gear, quickly recovered to a half-time lead of 21-12.

Despite great effort from the Ipswich side, a physical forward pack in conjunction with well executed movements from the backline gave Bury St Edmunds a great advantage in the second half. In addition to this, accurate penalty kicking and exceptional teamwork pushed the score to 64-19. Fly Half, Corrie Beukes commented that “the well organised pre-match build up had a large impact on the determination that we showed on the pitch”. Hayden Buckman, Number-8 on the Bury side concurred by adding,  “Having a good build up to the game ensured that we went out there with the right mindset, which in-turn helped us to stick to the game-plan and score tries.”

The run-away score was surprising after last year’s agonising defeat of 10-6 against Ipswich. Bury have been playing in the London League Two North for the first season after moving up a league last year and are currently fifth in this league. Ipswich has been playing a league below Bury and stands third from the bottom thus far. The pressure of playing stronger teams in the London League Two North improved Bury St Edmund’s playing style and prepared them for the Suffolk Cup final against Ipswich.

In spite of being plagued by injury after last week’s league match against Ruislip RFC, Bury St Edmunds managed to put together a winning fifteen for this week’s Suffolk Cup final. Excellent teamwork meant no individual players could be credited for the tries, but the following point scorers should be mentioned: Tries: Corrie Beukes (2), Hayden Buckman (1), Sam Struthers (1), Ireferimi  Vuki (1), Ben Geatches (1), Mark Muir (2), Liam Cocks (1) Penalties:Corrie Beukes (1), Conversions: Corrie Beukes (8).

The 1^st of March 2008 promises to be a date to be remembered in the Women’s rugby arena.  This is because it is the date on which the 21^st Varsity Match will take place between Oxford University Women’s Rugby Football Club (OUWRFC) and Cambridge University Women’s Rugby Football Club (CUWRFC). The event will be hosted by Oxford University and will take place on the Iffley Road fields in Oxford at 2pm. The Pre-game starts at 11am and is sure to be a nail biter between the CUWRFC Tigers and the OUWRFC Panthers.

The Cambridge Blue’s led by Captain Laura Britton will be playing in a brand new Samurai rugby kit. OUWRFC led by Hannah Clemson, have been playing in the higher BUSA league of Premier Women’s South and are currently 4^th (out of 5) in this league.  CUWRFC play in both a RFUW league and a BUSA league. 

They are joint first in the Midlands conference women’s 1A group, but fall into second place due to point’s differences.  They were promoted last year, and have really relished the chance to play against more physical teams along with the normal BUSA matches. Last year the Cambridge Blues lost, 37-7 to OUWRFC, but since their promotion to a higher league in the RFUW championships, they feel much better prepared for this year’s 21st Varsity Match. Another benefit for the Cambridge Blues has been the generous donation that they received from the RFU Go Play scheme.

All these elements and the passion and determination of both teams will make the 21^st Varsity Match a game worth watching.

Athletics Successes for Dave Shields

Dave Shields has enjoyed a great run of form thus far in 2008. On the 6^th January Dave took part in the Berkshire Indoor Championships at the Thames Valley Athletics centre. In the Masters category he jumped a master PB of 10.59 metres, which gifted him the Gold.

In February he won the silver and bronze in the Southern Counties indoor championships which took place at the Picketts lock high performance centre in Enfield, London. In the long jump competition he leaped 4.75 metres to achieve the Silver and in the triple jump he jumped an impressive 10.35 metres to gain the bronze medal, just missing out on the silver medal by 3cm.

Dave is thrilled with his recent success and when asked to comment he said “I was happy with my performance at the championship. I only just arrived in time for the long jump, due to travel difficulties, so I was pleased to win the silver as I was not able to do my full warm up. The triple jump also went well and I only missed the silver medal by 3cm! It was good preparation for the British Indoor Championships at the same venue on 23 & 24 February, where I will be doing both the Long Jump & Triple Jump”.

Samurai Sportswear are proud of Dave’s successes and wish him the best of luck in the British Indoor Championships. 

Launceston sign a Warrior

Launceston RFC are happy to confirm the on-loan signing of Shane Drahm

Drahm (born 1977 in Brisbane) who plays for Worcester Warriors, has signed on-loan to the Cornish All Blacks until the end of the season.

Equally comfortable at fly-half or full back, Drahm holds a number of kicking records in the Guinness Premiership as one of the league's top ten marksmen in history and last season smashed through the 1,000 point barrier.

Drahm joined the Worcester Warriors in the summer of 2005, having formerly played for Northampton, Bristol and the Queensland Reds. His form last year has been recognised at international level, being selected to play for England A. Born in Australia; Shane qualifies to represent England due to residency.

Player Profile

Worcester History 2005-2008

SOS IRB Kit Aid Pick Up

John Broadfoot visited the House of Samurai in January to pick up the East Anglia's collection of used kit for the SOS Kit Aid.

Simon Griffith Marketing Manager for Samurai said “We fully support John in his excellent cause and Samurai will look forward to nurturing this great project. As a rugby brand we have a responsibility to collect unused kit for both the game and the children in these developing countries, this is why Samurai is pleased to be East Anglia’s Official SOS Kit Aid collection hub.

Anyone that wishes to find out more please visit http://www.sosirbkitaid.org.

If you have old and unused kit lying around, please donate as soon as you can. Thank you from all at Samurai Sportswear.

Rugby Ciencias Visit

Cameron Waghorn, Samurai Sportswear's Area Sales Manager for London and the Midlands was out in Spain last weekend to meet up with Samurai's first Spanish Partner club, Rugby Ciencias who are based in Sevilla.

Cameron Said 'It was good to get out to Spain again and catch up with Rugby Ciencias, they are doing some great things in the Spanish Premiership (Division de Honor) and are currently sitting 3rd'

Samurai Sportswear are proud to be associated with such a great club in Spain who next season will compete in no less than 3 competitions, Division de Honor, Copa Del Ray with Teams from Portugal and Copa Iberica

Cameron said “Samurai are launching the Replica shirt here in the UK as we feel that it will appeal to the tourist who has visited Sevilla and to help build the clubs profile here in the UK. With 4 Spanish International regulars in the First Team and a sprinkling of Overseas Talent from New Zealand and Fiji, Rugby Ciencias are looking to bring in experienced English Players looking for a new challenge in their careers.”

Rugby Ciencias have a goal to be the representatives for Spain in the 2010/11 Challenge Cup competition and compete with some of the best sides in Europe, for this to happen they have to knock El Salvador off top spot.

On Saturday 2^nd February 2008 Cheshunt beat Old Gravesendians from the Kent 1 league, 25-6, to book their place in the EDF Vase Junior Cup Quarter Finals.

Joining the competition in round 3, Cheshunt, who compete in Herts/Middlesex 2 League have defeated three teams competing in higher leagues than themselves, Verulamians (Herts/Middlesex 1), Old Merchant Taylors (Herts/Middlesex 1) and Sittingbourne (Kent 1).

In the last round they visited Medway and came away with a narrow but hard fought 17-13 victory.

Cheshunt are enjoying their best season for several years, hoping for promotion from Herts/Middlesex 2. This dream has been aided by the team losing only one game so far in the campaign.

Samurai Sportswear are proud of Cheshunts achievements this year and wish them the best of luck for the Quarter finals of the EDF Vase Junior Cup.

Success Of Young Hockey Stars

Merchiston Castle School Win The Bell Lawrie Cup!!!

Merchiston Castle won the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Under-18 Cup for the first time in six years against a youthful and fast-improving George Watson’s in front of a 5,562 strong crowd at rain-lashed Murrayfield.

It was Merchiston’s fifth success overall in the competition and maintained their unbeaten record against Scottish sides this season. “Horrible, ugly but we’ll take it,” was the succinct summary of their coach, Mark Appleson. True, up to a point, as even allowing for the conditions, Merchiston did manage to bring some width to their game in the second period.

Tommy Palacios and Sam Hughes both scored tries and Glen Leslie scored a conversion and penalty kick to make the final score 15 – 3.

Darwin 7’s ‘The Hottest 7’s in the World’ January 2008

Day 1;

The temperature was already at 33°c when the first game of the tournament started at 12.20pm in the hot Darwin Summer sun, humidity was at around 95% so the players were feeling the pinch before they even ran onto the field. The first day of the tournament saw the Samurai’s triumph over the 1^st Brigade (35-0), The North Queensland Cowboys (22-0) and The Dingoes (43-0).

Day 2;

If at all possible day two was even hotter than day one with the hottest temperatures for this event being reached well into the mid 30’s with nearly 100% humidity. All the early seeded teams had progressed well from day one with Aussie Spirit and ULR Samurai having scored the same amount of points, 110 and not conceding any. The South Sea Drifters were living up to there favourites tag from day one scoring 135 points and conceding only 12, the dark horses Gordon had it a little tougher on day one but still progressed undefeated.

Samurai had a relatively easy first up match, winning 64-0 against the lowest side from the South Sea Drifters Pool, Campbell town Harlequins. With 10 tries and 7 conversions the Samurai wrapped up their most impressive display of the weekend building on from the previous evenings display against the Dingoes. The Samurai team progressed onto a tough quarter final against the Australian Legends.

The Samurai’s had to wait 4 hours the game against the Australian Legends in the severe Darwin Heat. Legends took the game to the Samurai in the first half trading tries to leave it level at Half Time at 7-7. The 2^nd half was a much more disciplined display by the Samurai’s who ran out eventual 26-7 winners. The Samurai’s booked a Semi-Final place against the Aussie Spirit team.

Unfortunately the writing was on the wall for this match as the Aussie Spirit team had punished there quarter final opponents Brisbane Fiji 35-0 and the stuttering performance of the Samurai in there win over the Australian Legends. The Samurai’s went down and out of the Darwin 7’s 7-14 to the Aussie Spirit..

The final saw the Aussie Spirit going down, losing to the impressive South Sea Drifters side, 27-12.

To the full match reports written by Cameron Waghorn Click here.

New Face of Samurai Hockey - Sophie Robinson

We are delighted to announce that Sophie Robinson (19) is the new face of Samurai Hockey. Sophie is one of the most gifted and highly thought of youngsters in British Ladies Hockey.

She has already gained 9 senior caps for Wales and has played many times for the U21 team. Sophie played her junior hockey at the Newark (Otters and Beavers) club and currently plays league hockey for Nottingham Highfields.

Merchiston Fort Hard For Place in the Final

In front of 2,000 supporters Merchiston Castle School RFC booked their place in the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup final which takes place on Friday 25th January at Murrayfield (kick off 7.30pm). They pulled off an impressive 27-3 victory over a battling George Heriot’s side. This and their season successes has made them a Samurai Featured team.

The Man of the Match award was chosen by Scotland and Edinburgh players, No 8 Dave Callam and stand-off Phil Godman who decided to honour worthy recipient, Merchistons captain, Russell Weir.

Samurai would like to congratulate the team on all their achievements thus far and wish them the best of luck in the Final.

Harry's Big Day at Murrayfield

Park Lane Dinner for Sporting Chance

James Painton Memorial Match

Held on January 6th, a cold but sunny winter's day, the James Painton Memorial Match saw the current Kings' School Macclesfield 1st XV, James' old school, face up against the JJP Barbarians, an old boys team made up from old team mates of James.

At the end of the game with all players feeling truly exhausted, the school's 1st team ran out winners by 35-32. The game was a huge success and it was a tribute to James that hundreds of people lined the pitch to support the match.

Scottish Success Story

18 year old Scottish success story Chris Fusaro is a Samurai Sponsored player. This article written by Colin Renton (Scotsman.com) documents his year and his rising talent.

The 18-year-old, who is studying chemical engineering at Edinburgh University, made spectacular progress in 2007, beginning the year in age group rugby and ending it in Scotland colours on the IRB Sevens circuit. Heriot's flanker Chris Fusaro believes 2008 will take him a step closer to his dream of playing professional rugby.

Old Buckingham - New Champions

2007 saw the introduction of the Samurai International Sportswear Indoor Cricket League held at Taverham, Norfolk. The league comprised of 5 teams; Gt Witchingham, Vauxhall Mallards, Brooke, Mattishall and Old Buckingham. The Premier Winners of the competition were Old Buckenham Cricket Club.

After winning seven out of seven matches the final league game began with Old Buckingham topping the table and being unable to be caught; however a 100% winning record was in their sights. The final match culminated in a fantastic performance by Old Buckingham against a very strong Gt Witchingham team full of experience.

Old Buckingham finished up with an impressive record of eight wins out of eight, and were way ahead in the final table. Samurai's Director (top right photo (on the left)) Neil Bridgstock had the pleasure of handing the team their well deserved shield.

Players involved: Jimmy Heaney, Rob Austin, Pete Goldsmith, Andy Austin, Darren Savage, Ali Beales, Ross Bailey, Jonathan Fudge, Frank Garrod, Tom Banham, Greg Mann, Terry Perry, and Chris Howes.

Featured Team (04.01.08) - Fylde RFC

Fylde RFC have been chosen as a “Featured team” due to their impressive results as of late. Fylde have been on an unbeaten run of 6 league matches including 3 wins in December against Hull Ionians, Beverley and Preston G. These results have taken them from 2nd bottom to 3rd place in the National League Three (North).

Featured Team (18.12.07) – Bridgend College

Bridgend College has been chosen as a featured team due to their fantastic successes this season. The team lost only one game in the schools league 1^st division and worked hard to get into the Gullivers super 16 tournament final where they achieved runners-up.

Successful results this season include beating; st Davids coll (24 – 22), Neath (14 – 10), Whitchurch (8 – 7), Swansea Coll (67 – 21), Gorseinon Coll (55 – 0), Cowbridge (47 – 21) and Cross keys Coll (48 – 6).
 
Bridgend also managed impressive victories over Filton Coll, Truro Coll, Ivybridge, Neath Coll, and Bradford Grammar on their way to the Gullivers super 16 tournament before losing to Hartpury Coll in the final.

The Bridgend lads have worked hard this season and Samurai International Sportswear are proud to include them as a featured team.

The Cornish Pirates confirm the on-loan signing of Mark Ireland

The Cornish Pirates have confirmed the on-loan signing of London Irish’s Mark Ireland. Ireland has signed to the Pirates until the 31^st December with a view to sign him to the end of the season.

Mark Ireland who was educated at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe and went on to study Communications and Media Studies at Brunel University joined the London Irish in July 2007 from Newbury RFC. Newbury was where he built up a notable reputation as a strong running centre or winger. Previously he played for London Wasps and Harlequins which confirms his capability.

Pirates head coach, Jim McKay commented “We have felt for sometime that mark is someone who could do a job for us. He is big, strong and deceptively fast, a piece of the jigsaw that could easily fit to enable us to achieve our goals”.

The Cornish Pirates had previously tried to sign Ireland before he joined the London Irish but Jim McKay understood, saying “not surprisingly being a talented and ambitious player he took the opportunity of a short-term contract at London Irish. It might be a second attempt, but we are delighted to acquire his services”.

Samurai Sportswear wishes Mark Ireland the best of luck with his time at the Cornish Pirates. To find out more about the Cornish Pirates click here.

Make sure you are good this Christmas and get you presents (on time!)

Samurai Score Sportswear Partnership

Samurai International Sportswear is pleased to announce the successful migration of the Samurai brand into New Zealand and Australia, with an agreement for Score Sportswear to be the registered distributor of the brand in aforementioned territories.

“Finally break out the champagne” said Helen Clarke of Score Sportswear, New Zealand, after some months of careful planning.

Score Sportswear are based in Auckland, New Zealand. Helen Clarke and Craig Stratford spent a week with the Samurai Sportswear team in November which allowed the two companies to observe and understand the way each other operate.

Ex-England rugby full back and sales director of Samurai Simon Hodgkinson said ‘I am particularly excited about this opportunity because Helen and her team have a very successful, well-established business that has a huge amount of experience in both the team wear and retail markets’.

Everybody involved is really looking forward to this exciting partnership, which will allow the Samurai brand to gain its first foothold in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hunt Gets England Call Up

Hunt said "I have only ever played for One Invitation 7s Team and that's Samurai, I would never want to play for any other as they have given me everything in terms of support and opportunities. I owed my initial selection to Samurai and I owe my re-selection to them."

Wasps Ladies FC 2007/2008

Samurai were pleased to sign Wasps Ladies FC at the beginning of this season. Samurai are proud to be the official kit supplier to the Wasps who are an historic community rugby club closely associated with London Wasps and Twyford School.

Over the last 5 years the Wasps team has achieved 3 League titles and in 2004-2005 won both the Premiership League and Cup. Their 1st team formed the core of the England Women's World Cup Squad in 2006 with 9 “Waspies” travelling to Canada to represent England, Canada and Samoa. Several of the Wasps players were also selected to play for England in the Women's 6 Nations in 2007 (captained by Sue Day from Wasps) and the European Championships in 2007 (captained by Shelley Rae from Wasps).

The Wasp’s are currently (up until 21.11.07) third in the RUFW Premiership after winning 5 of their 7 matches played. To keep up with results and table standings click here.

This signing compliments the already impressive Samurai signing of Premiership side Lichfield ladies RUFC.

Samurai look forward to a long and successful venture with such a triumphant Wasps ladies team.

To read more about the Wasps Ladies FC team click here.

Feature Team (14.11.07) – University of Glasgow RFC

University of Glasgow RFC 1sts and 2nds have been chosen as a Samurai Feature team due to their impressive starts to their seasons. Both teams have won three matches with no defeats.

The 1sts have managed to score 80 points and have only conceded 8 in their first three matches which has put them top of the table. The 2nds have gained an impressive 130 points and conceded only 26 points which has also landed them top of their table.  To check the tables and results for the University of Glasgow 1sts click here and for the University of Glasgow 2nds click here.

University of Glasgow RFC were also selected to represent Scotland in a student World Cup 7s tournament in Marseille during the World Cup in France. The team came third, beating teams such as New Zealand which highlights even more the talent of this side. To read the match reports click here.

Samurai International Sportswear is proud to introduce University of Glasgow as a featured team and is delighted to be associated with them.

Vipers Show Real Venom

South African Vipers raised the Ablitt Cup at the 60th Anniversary Singapore Cricket Club International Sevens. The team who were wearing their Samurai produced kit pulled off an impressive 50-0 victory over New Zealand based 2006 Cup holders Ponsonby.

South African Coach Paul Treu was delighted to win the Ablitt Cup, he stated: “It was our goal to win and we are proud to have our name on this fantastic trophy. We have come here with nearly half of the national squad players and we were keen to set the standard and continue the success of South African rugby. This has been the perfect preparation for the IRB World Sevens Series and we couldn’t have asked for a better tournament.”

The South African Vipers worked hard for a 26-0 half time score line. Danwell Demass and Fabian Juries were the heroes each scoring three tries.  

Ponsonby Coach Jack Huch was gracious in defeat and showed good sportsmanship in praising the Vipers: “They were just too good. We were beaten at the breakdown and after the first two tries we just didn’t seem to recover. We are a young side and it was good to benchmark ourselves against an international team like South Africa. They were well prepared, quick and extremely accurate in their skill execution.”

Samurai are proud to be associated with such a World Class team and hope that the Vipers success continues.

South Pacific Treasure

The Cornish Pirates are proud to confirm the signing of one of Tonga’s 2007 World Cup heroes, Vunga Lilo. Jim McKay, head coach of the Cornish Pirates, commented ''Vunga is a utility back who will give us various options and increase the competition for places. He had a memorable World Cup experience playing for Tonga and we are now delighted to welcome him to Cornwall.''

Vunga was a consistent member of Tonga’s 2007 World Cup team who did themselves proud by beating the USA and fierce local rivals Samoa. Although they lost to eventual finalists England (36-20) and South Africa (30-25), the score lines shows that Tonga are not a national team to be take lightly.

Vunga, 24, who plays at centre and on the wing made his International debut just before the World Cup finals in France. His International record speaks for itself, with 7 caps he has managed to score four tries and a penalty which cements his credentials as a world class rugby player.

Commenting on the World Cup and his feelings about joining the Cornish Pirates Vunga stated ''It was a real honour to play in rugby's biggest event, where I really wanted to do the best for my country - as I do now for the Cornish Pirates.''

Samurai are proud to be linked with the Cornish Pirates and are pleased to welcome Vunga lilo to the Cornish Pirates.

To read more about the newly formed partnership between Vunga Lilo and The Cornish Pirates click here.

Samurai Sign Two Big names in Rugby League

Meads Cup Final - North Otago 25 – Wanganui 8

North Otago Leads the way to the Meads Cup Final

North Otago will host Wanganui in next Saturday's Meads Cup final in the Heartland rugby championship after eliminating defending champions Wairarapa-Bush.

They beat Wairarapa 30-13 at Oamaru's Centennial Park in the second semifinal after Wanganui beat Mid Canterbury 18-12 in Ashburton.

The result meant North Otago avenged their recent 7-15 loss to Wairarapa Bush, who had ended their unbeaten run in the competition this season.

North Otago scored two tries through flanker and captain Joe Mamea and winger Stephen Sasagi, who got a second try in the second half, to lead 20-6 at halftime and pressed on for a deserved win.

Wairarapa-Bush found the big and hard-running North Otago players such as Sasagi, Mamea, centre Fa'aitu Tumoheloa and halfback Kilifi Fangupo difficult to stop in first-up tackles.

No 8 Regan Laughton was another influential figure for North Otago.

He pounced on Wairarapa's quick take of the 22m drop-out twice, both times disrupting their attempts by sticking his toe through and then turning over possession for his team's points. On the first occasion it led to a penalty which Glenn Dickson kicked to make it 3-3 and the second time that occurred North Otago punished them with Mamea's try in the 21st minute.

Wairarapa Bush pushed the North Otago pack off a scrum in the 38th minute and went to halftime 6-20 behind but inspired by the strength shown by their forwards.

North Otago could have stretched their lead had Sasagi been more careful and accurate with his pass with the line clear before Wairarapa took control of the game for about 10 minutes from the 55th minute.

They raided the North Otago line and replacement front rower Brendan Walker was eventually rewarded a try, which John Dodd converted, adding to his two penalties.

But that was Wairarapa's lot. Sasagi came back for a second try.

Fullback Glenn Dickson scored 15 points for North Otago from three penalties and three conversions.

North Otago 30: (Stephen Sasagi 2, Joe Mamea tries; Glenn Dickson 3 pen, 3 con).

Wairarapa-Bush 13: (Brendan Walker try; John Dodd 2 pen, con).

Sos Kit Aid Partnership 

"SOS IRB Kit Aid is delighted to announce that Samurai Sportswear of Norwich are the first premier UK kit supplier to become an official SOS area kit collector. SOS Chairman John Broadfoot said - Simon and his team are great supporters of SOS and it is great to see a company with such imagination that they want to put something back into the game as well. We hope that all schools/clubs in the Norfolk and surrounding areas, who have good quality, clean rugby kit to donate to SOS, will now do it by contacting Samurai direct - please see the SOS website www.sosirbkitaid.org <http://www.sosirbkitaid.org/> for details. 
                                                           
Welcome on board Samurai - we look forward to working with you in the future " 
                                                                

Sincere Regards
John Broadfoot

Great Britain Rugby Wheelchair Success

The Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby team succeeded in their bid to qualify for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games by winning their third consecutive European Championship crown.

The GB side remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning all five of their round-robin Games against Ireland (40-15), Finland (18-16), Switzerland (25-21), Austria (54-28) and Belgium (30-25) - which saw them finish top of their group.

The team then beat Sweden with a narrow 21-20 victory to book their place in the final against Germany, who had also won all their games in the run up to the final.

Having already qualified their place for Beijing, all that was left to play for was the title and GB was determined to win. Despite a closely fought contest with the German side it was GB who eventually triumphed with a 28-26 victory.

Chief executive of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) Jean Collingwood said: "The competition has been tough with some surprises along the way such as Finland, who as the home nation, proved to be testing opponents."

"The 12-man squad however proved GB are tough competition and succeeded in maintaining their dominance in Europe. The guys train and work hard 24/7, 52 weeks a year and nothing gets in the way of competition success."

"Our next mission is to do well in Beijing - now we have qualified - but London 2012 is also high on our agenda, with a strong vision of being a centrepiece in all the excitement and winning gold in front of a home crowd."

Congratulations and good luck for Beijing!

The Pirates stage a mutiny against the Chiefs

Great news from Twickenham last on the 15th April. The Pirates prevailed over the Exeter Chiefs 19-16 winning the EDF National Trophy Final.

The game started with Twickenham bathed in sunshine. Exeter had two very powerful centres who looked like they were going to cause some problems for the Pirates all game. They did exactly that in the first half, going very close to scoring only to be cut down by superb cover defending by The Pirates. The first half resulted in only a penalty kick for each team.

So it was level pegging at 3-3 at half time. It looked as though Exeter were the stronger side with their powerful backs. They proved it when they hit the lead through a try from Fullback Gary Kingdom and then an exchange of penalties from Tony Yapp and Alberto Di Bernardo made the score 6-16.

Finally, with 20 minutes to play the Pirates rallied and with only 10 minutes left they got the try they needed by Hooker Villi Ma'isi. Then a further penalty with 5 minutes to go resulted in another shot at goal for Alberto, which he slotted. Thankfully, The Pirates held on during the last few nervous minutes to win their first major trophy.

It was pleasing to see a huge wave of Pirates shirts at Twickenham.

A big thanks has to go out to all concerned to get the kit & replicas out to The Pirates shop and other retailers in time for the final. Well done guys & girls!

Chinese New Year 2007

Will all customers please note that our bespoke manufacturing facility in

China will be closed for Chinese New Year. Production will stop for the

period - 12th to 28th of February 2007.

All orders placed before January 5th will be delivered before the shutdown

period but of course all bespoke orders placed after that date will have an

extended lead time of 8-10 weeks. Please contact the sales office on

01508 531010 if you would like further advice.

Rugby Round-Up is pleased to announce that Samurai Sportswear

has agreed to sponsor the RAPTOR Heroes League for season 2006/07.

Please click here to read the whole press release.

Skin Tight Rugby Kit

Two Cornish Pirates players were invited to try out the rugby club's

new look in a unique way on Thursday 27 July. This particular kit

took hours to put on!

Click here to read the full story.

build on the Warriors community spirit."