Top international Sevens team HFW Wailers triumphed in the prestigious Amsterdam 7s Competition last weekend. The team, which is based in the North-East, overcame Castricum, ve Arendeu, Lorraine, Moldova and the Bassett Hypothekers Hounds in the preliminary stages, before overcoming leading Sevens sides White Hart Marauders and Samurai International in the knockout rounds. The Wailers were far too strong for the Templars in the final and cruised to a convincing 39-5 victory. Their victory was based on an outstanding defensive effort which saw them only concede 6 tries in two days of competition, whilst scoring 49.

Captain Hamish Smales, who plays his club rugby at Tynedale, was delighted with his side, saying that,’ It feels fantastic. We have been coming here since 2005 so it has been a long time coming. The tournament was amazing and we had excellent hosts in Castricum RFC.’

The side now travels to London on Saturday 4th June for the first leg of the National Sevens Series, Rugby Rocks.

Squad: Ben Frankland (Team Northumbria), Jamie Gibbs (Esher), Josh Fowles (Macclesfield), Joe Knowles (Lymm), Tyson Lewis (Blackheath), Phil Chesters (Ealing), Sep Visser (Tynedale), Raynor Parkinson (Hilversum), Liam Steele (Stewarts Melville FP), Oli Stedman (Leeds Carnegie), Joe Ajuwa (Llanelli), Charlie Walker (Harlequins) and Hamish Smales (Tynedale-Captain).

Director of Rugby: Andy Howells

Coach: Nick Gandy

Physio: Matt White

Team Manager/Assistant coach: Ed Midcalf