Beirut International Sevens 2009

International Sevens were played in Beirut recently with 6 teams competing in the 1^st Beirut International Sevens Tournament.

The tournament was played 2000 ft above sea level in the holiday resort of Bhamdoun, a 40 minute journey from Beirut and a popular summer retreat for Arab holidaymakers, away from the extreme heat of the city.

Beirut 7's winners 2009, Beirut Phoenicians

Six teams competed in the tournament, with teams using this tournament as warm up for upcoming tournaments in the Asian region.

Apart from two Lebanese teams - Beirut Phoenicians and Jamhour Barbarians, which featured some members of the United Nations peacekeeping force stationed in the south of Lebanon, two sides from Syria and two from Jordan made the trip to Beirut.

A full day of sevens rugby gave all sides a good workout and for the Jordanian sides a start to their overseas trip, where they are also competing in Kish Island, Iran and in Sri Lanka, both Asian Rugby Football Union sanctioned tournaments.

For the Beirut Phoenicians and the Damascus Zenobians, valuable game time was provided as build up to the Dubai Sevens, where both sides are playing in the Overseas International competition in early December.

The Syrian Eagles RFC also used the day as build up to the Kish Island Sevens in Iran.

The tournament was won by Beirut Phoenicians who beat Jordan A in the final 26 – 7, after losing to them in the first round of the tournament 14 – 7.

The Phoenicians only made the final after the Jamhour Barbarians managed to hold Damascus Zenobians to a draw in their final pool game, allowing Beirut Phoenicians into the final on a points differential count back.

They were too strong however in the final and showed that they had really improved their understanding of playing sevens throughout the day – playing good patient sevens and putting together some nice tries in the process. 

Visiting International Rugby Board, West Asia Project Manager Matthew Oakley, was able to witness some rugby from these fledgling Middle Eastern rugby nations, as he refereed some games, gaining some valuable insight into the state of rugby in places like Lebanon, Jordan and Syria at the same time.

The fact that rugby is growing in these countries is evidence of the fact that rugby is truly becoming a global game, with Lebanon also about to apply for associate membership status of the Asian Rugby Football Union, after recently forming a Federation in early November 2009.

Further events are planned between Lebanese, Syrian and Jordanian clubs in both sevens and fifteens, in the coming months and if this tournament is anything to go by then the standard of the game will quickly improve as players get more regular competition.

Text and images courtesy: Rob Yule

This article is also available in the following Country/s. Lebanon, Jordan