ON SATURDAY, May 14, Old Penarthians host the 67th consecutive season of their Seven-a-Side Tournament.

This tournament is one of the most constant items in the local rugby calendar and it is hoped that large crowds will again turn up at Cwrt-y-vil Playing Fields, St Marks Road to watch this highly enjoyable and competitive event.

The tournament started in 1950 as the ‘brain child’ of the then honorary secretary, Bill Whittaker, and it has gone from strength to strength since those formative years when it was contested at Penarth County School until 1963 with one season at Cogan in 1951.

In May 1964 the event was the first function to be held at the newly completed clubhouse in St Marks Road, which at the time was devoid of furniture or fittings and members satisfied the thirst of the spectators by pulling pints from casks set up on trestle tables. Not only has the Sevens changed but so has the clubhouse and the facilities with the latest improvements centred upon the new lounge facilities and furnishings.

The traditional tournament features 16 teams but this year the number of entrants has been affected by the WRU decision to extend the traditional season from the end of April allowing matches to be played up to and including May 28.

The tournament invariably attracts representative teams drawn from players in the higher echelons of the leagues and their involvement in club fixtures has unfortunately prevented teams from entering the Sevens. One of the casualties of this situation means that last year’s winners Welsh Charitables are unable to field a side

That said the competition still features two ever present teams Old Penarthians and Old Cantonians, two of the recent winners Glantaf Goats and Voyagers, last year’s beaten semi-finalists Shangri-La Squirrels, regular English visitors from Corsham and a new entry from South Wales Fire Service.

To accommodate the fewer teams this year the tournament will feature four groups at the initial stages of the competition before the group winners’ progress to the Main Cup Competition whilst the group runners-up will progress to the Plate Competition semi-finals.

The full list of teams and the group draw is as follows:

Group A: Voyagers, Pursuit Warriors, Corsham and Fire Service

Group B: Hen Fois y Fro, Dame Daniel and Shangri-La Squirrels

Group C: Glam Wanderers OB, St Josephs and Glantaf Goats

Group D: Old Penarthians, Scorpions 7s and Old Cantonians

The inaugural winners were Old Penarthians and the most successful side in the tournament has been Caerphilly GSOB, with nine victories from 13 finals.

Last year saw the Voyagers lose their 2014 crown to the Welsh Charitables in an engrossing final by 41 points to 20 points. Old Penarthians managed to progress to the semi-finals of the Plate competition losing narrowly to St Peters by 21 points to 19. St Peters however lost the final to local catholic rivals St Josephs by 40 -33.

There is also a Player of the Tournament Trophy, initiated in 1974, and awarded to the player who has made the biggest impact on the day. The first winner was Neil Collins of St Josephs. The only players to have won the award twice are David Bishop of Old Illtydians and Matthew Maclean of Glan Taf. Last year’s recipient was Sam Evans of the Welsh Charitables.

As usual the Sevens tournament kicks-off at 2pm with the final of the main competition due to start at 6.30pm. Entrance to the field will be by programme which can be purchased on the day, priced at £2. Ample car parking is also available at the ground for a cost of £4 for which two match day programmes will be provided.