MRT08 - the results and report

All in all, 14 teams from six different countries participated in what was a hugely successful tournament, principally held at Myllypuro Sports Park in Helsinki.

Thursday 26 June 2008

26 June held the best intentions to host a Junior Introduction to rugby. The idea being that people would be welcome to attend in a central Helsinki park to learn some of the basics of rugby amongst players from all over Europe who had been arriving during the day. Unfortunately, the turnout was only one child, as the weekend before had marked the Mid Summer celebrations in Finland, typically meaning most children were out of Helsinki at summer cottages and the like.

The event turned into an impromptu touch tournament among the arriving teams, and in hindsight, it did allow for some friendly banter and competition. This casual and relaxed introduction to the tournament set the tone.

Friday 27 June 2008 – Pool Play

With the late sunset, there was no requirement to start play until 1700. Thereby giving the teams more options to arrive on Friday as well. The teams were split into three pools, where each team played five teams (except for one pool, who had one less team and therefore one less game). The weather was ominous, and one slight shower failed to dampen some very high spirits, resulting in some fantastic rugby being played and in magnificent sprit.

The pool results allowed all teams to be ranked and set up Saturday to be a knockout play day. But to ensure the other teams couldn’t complain about a lack of hospitality, they were all bussed to Uunisaari where the saunas were made available, and a bar and buffet ensured all had an enjoyable evening. Some players were rumoured to have left the island at 3am…

Saturday 28 June – Knockout Rounds & Finals

Saturday dawned spectacularly fine, and teams straggled into Myllypuro Sports Park with the first kick off having to be delayed by 30 minutes. Whilst reasons had been given such as late bus arrivals, uncertainty with the metro system and poor taxi supply, one only has to wonder how well the local bars did after the tournament left Uunisaari!

However, we kicked off with all teams and to a bang. The fine rugby that had been played the previous night continued, and even though some teams only played once or twice during the entire day, the festival atmosphere continued all day. This was aided with the arrival of the pitch side sauna, a belly sliding competition and approximately 250 curious Finns wondering who was disturbing their Saturday peace. Even the local police turned up with rare smiles.

The purpose of the day was to find award four trophies. The Plate would be battled between the top four, the Cup for 5-8, the Shield for 9-12 and the Wooden Spoon awarded to the team finishing last.

Prior to the final matches for the trophies, a womens’ friendly match was arranged with players coming from HRC, the Helsinki Warriors’ Club and Tampere Rugby Union Club. Due to the lack of domestic interest, a Womens’ tournament wasn’t able to be held with only HRC registering. This is a point that the organisers want to rectify in 2009.

In the end though, all rugby was finished by 1700 to allow all the players to return to their hotels, shower and then proceed to the prizegiving to be held at Kaivohuone.

Final Results

On hand, our sponsor representatives Messrs Guy Fifield (Denton Wilde Sapte) & Andrew Cotton (Proc0pe & Horncope), Ms Heta Lampinen (Finnish Rugby Federation 'Chairman') and Mr Juhani Majanen (HRC Vice Chairman) presented the prizes to the winners.

Baltic Wooden Spoon: Rauma Ice Pack Rugby Club (Finland)
Baltic Shield: Northern Stars (Finland)
Baltic Cup: Rugby Club du Plateau Briard (France)
Baltic Plate (Champions): Denton Wilde Sapte (United Kingdom)

Congratulations have been passed on to the team of lawyers from DWS.

We thank everyone for their involvement and hope to see you back next year for what is already planning to be a refined and improved tournament to this one.