Then, at the Loughborough 7s several weeks later, in one of the finest displays in their history, the O-UNIT destroyed teams with a fluent,
off-loading brand of sevens. A demolition-job on regular rivals Team Sanders set the tone in the group stages, and a significant final loomed: against the Bulldogs, previous winners, comprised of professional and semi-pro players, and a team renowned on the circuit.

In sodden conditions, the O-UNIT’s greater cohesion and tackling, not to mention a brace of powerful tries from Matt O’Neill, secured the victory, 19 – 14. Strong performances in reaching the semi-finals of the Stoneygate and Exeter tournaments capped off a great year for the O-UNIT.

The 2004 season was a similar success. The O-UNIT reached the final of the Winchester 7s (being beaten by a team they had comprehensively outplayed in the group stages, but who had been boosted by several fresh “ringers” in the intervening rounds) and narrowly lost in the semis of the Stoneygate 7s, to a well-drilled club side.

However, the best was yet to come. On a gorgeous sun-washed day in June, Otters Rugby trounced all-comers (helped by outstanding individual displays from Taylor-Jenkins, Clarke and Mcleod) at the Exeter University 7s, playing probably the finest 7s in its history.

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