Paul Hull will take charge of Shoguns Sevens squad
Paul Hull
By Duncan Wood
July 24 2002
Paul Hull who should have graced Twickenham more frequently as a player will take charge of Bristol's Middlesex Sevens challenge. He will manage a squad that is to be confirmed nearer the time but will feature a mix of youth and experience.
The Middlesex Sevens is due to take place on Saturday August 17th and Paul Hull will be in charge of a mixture of first team and Academy players.
It's the third year in a row that the tournament will have clashed with the club's preseason preparations. Two seasons ago, the first XV were in action at Newport on the day and, last season, had a friednly game with Newbury on the following day.
However, Hully seemed to be in upbeat mood when he commented to the club website, www.bristolshoguns.co.uk:
“We’re constantly working on skills and competitive sevens tournaments like the Middlesex event offers players the opportunity to put them into practice. The Sevens game creates a lot of open spaces for players to use their skills and is ideal in the build up to the new season.This season the Middlesex Sevens will be a useful tool for the entire Club with a number of first team players mixing with U21s for the event in August.”
Last season, a youthful Shoguns outfit took on a Newcastle team containing Pat Lam, Inga Tuigamala, Epi Taione and Hugh Vyvyan to name but four. The likes of Joe Mbu, Richard Martin-Redman and Paul Hodgson battled gamely but went down 45-7.
They tasted victory in the Plate competition beating London Welsh 21-0 with scores from Martin-Redman, Owen Evans and Paul Hodgson. However, they fell to Quins in the Plate semi final 26-12.
Joe Mbu then finished the day in bizarre fashion by guesting for Newcastle in the final as they had been hit by injury during the course of the tournament!
This season the draw fhas paired us with a tough first round draw against Zurich Championship semi-finalists, Northampton Saints.
Middlesex Sevens Information Line
0871 871 0777
www.middlesex7s.com