TOURNAMENT WRAP-UP 2023
80 teams from 45 law and financial services firms lined up to play in this year’s Law Society RFC 7s & Netball Tournament on Sunday 17th September, with LTN & Partners (who sponsored the Fair Play Award in 2022) this year’s Headline Sponsor.
Despite a patch of rain that loomed for an hour or so, the three tournaments (rugby, netball and mixed tag) all kicked off at 11.00am, with teams getting through a multitude of pool matches before filtering into the knockout stages. As in the past four years, teams were provided with rugby balls and netballs from Brockwell Capital to train and play with, a particular highlight of the day.
MIXED TAG
Mixed Tag continues to grow with 28 teams taking part, however, without Accenture (last year’s winners) who were unable to attempt to retain their title. Stephenson Harwood stepped in and won the Cup, beating Mishcon de Reya in the final, which was held on the main pitch in front of the Richmond grandstand for the first time this year.
Eversheds Sutherland won the Plate, beating new entrants to the tournament PWC and Goodwin Procter won the Bowl.
The coveted Fair Play Award, which was sponsored this year by Lockton and presented by ex-England international Paul Volley, was won by Kennedy’s.
RUGBY
A few late dropouts in the run up to the tournament, because of some injuries taken during pre-season matches and due to the Rugby World Cup, saw 16 teams taking to the field.
Last year’s winners William Fry had to settle for the Plate this year beating Travers Smith in the final. Clyde and Co took home the Cup beating Kennedy’s (who have now lost in the final for the past two years and have vowed to win it next year!).
The Fair Play award (which is voted for by the referees for the team showing the best sportsmanship throughout the tournament) was won by EY.
NETBALL
Netball continues to be the biggest of the tournaments, with a waiting list of four firms hoping to step-in should there be a drop out. 32 teams competed for the Cup, Plate and Bowl with all eyes on Freshfields to see if they could win it four times in a row.
Unfortunately for them, they were pipped in the final against new entrant Deloitte, which included the best netball on the day and ended all square at full time. Deloitte took the Cup with the first goal in extra time.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner won the Plate, beating EY and Simmons and Simmons took home the Bowl, with Baker McKenzie being presented with the Fair Play Award, narrowly beating three other teams which were in contention by the umpires.
All three tournaments were played in the spirt in which the event is aiming for, with good quality matches aligned to a social and family friendly atmosphere. The England World Cup rugby match vs Japan was on post tournament, along with the usual hog roast (provided by LTN & Partners), beer pong and DJ. LawCare set up a charity donations page for teams to compete against each other in a challenge to see who could raise the most funds, which was won by Stephenson Harwood.
Daniel How Tournament Director told us:
‘It’s great to see the tournament going from strength to strength, and we are looking at ways of expanding next year with the introduction of 5-a-side football. A massive congratulations to our winning teams and thanks to all those who turned up and helped to make it another successful event.’
For further information, and sponsorship opportunities for 2024, please contact Daniel at: lawsocietyrugby7s@yahoo.co.uk or on 07889 641 939.
LTN & Partners is a combination of ex-law firm partners, top-tier recruiters and business professionals which make them distinctive in the market. Their talent management teams concentrate on partner and associate searches, team moves and, in-house legal searches across EMEA, Australasia, Asia, and the US. For more information contact them at: hello@ltnpartners.com
For more information on LawCare, please contact their free, independent and confidential helpline: 0800 279 6888, email support@lawcare.org.uk or visit www.lawcare.org.uk for live chat and a range of factsheets and other resources.