On Thursday the 11th of August, Pol Roger Portfolio hosted a touch rugby tournament in order to raise funds for The Drinks Trust.
With 18 teams attending, this was the largest the competition has been since it began, four years ago. The teams comprised members of the wine trade, from companies such as Rémy Cointreau, Freixenet Copestick, Jeroboams, Lanique Wines, Jascots, Moet Hennessy, Pernod Ricard, Liberty Wines, Berry Bros. & Rudd, Stannary Wines, Hallgarten & Novum, Maison Marques et Domaines and Lea & Sandeman. Each team was composed of seven players with three substitutes and at least two women on the pitch at any one time.
Each game took place over ten minutes in a rugby 7s format, refereeing was done by former professional rugby players Nathan Hines and Jack Clifford. After a pools championship round, Pernod Ricard, Jascots, Liberty, and Moet Hennessy progressed to the semi-finals, before a final game between Pernod Ricard and Liberty. A tightly contested match ensued, and Pernod Ricard won out under the August sun, triumphing for the second year in a row. Barn Elms playing fields played hosts to the games, with Barnes RFC being the venue for a post-match raffle to increase funds and donations for the Drinks Trust. In total, £3,205 was raised for the charity, the largest sum so far in the history of the competition. Raffle prizes were contributed from the Barbarians FC, Gilbert Rugby, St Pauls Cathedral, Charlie Allen as well as all the teams, and refreshments by Timothy Taylors and Igo Wine.
With the Tournament growing in size each year, Pol Roger Portfolio looks forward to hosting again next year on 10th August. Details for submitting teams will be posted closer to the time, and we hope to see you there!
