Monthly Archives: December 2011

Earlier this year Rhino was put in touch with Teheran RFC by former Cambridge University captain and current Commercial Manager Stewart Eru and we were delighted to be able to supply the club with some second hand equipment, including contact equipment formerly used by the England squad. President Charles Wyley together with coach Idin Norashemi have been instrumental in developing the game in Iran at grass roots level at a time of falling expatriate numbers and TRFC competed once more in the recent Dubai Sevens International Social competition, with their achievements being highlighted in the tournament programme. Unfortunately, their efforts have been put on hold during the recent political upheavals – particularly as there is no current access to their training ground and equipment store in the British Embassy compound in Teheran. We congratulate Charles and his members for their pioneering efforts and wish them well in the current difficult circumstances facing the club.

Teheran RFC members with their Rhino equipment.

Rhino once more sponsored the Oku Memorial Trophy tournament played at Iffley Road Oxford on Saturday December 3rd. The event is played to honour the memory of Ambassador Katsuhiko Oku, a founder of London Japanese RFC who was tragically killed whilst on diplomatic duty in Iraq in 2003. The tournament was won by the Kew Occasionals who defeated Hertford College in the final. Ambassador Oku became the first Japanese national to play for the Blues XV at Oxford and become a member of Vincent’s the prestigious university sportsman’s club. He was also very active as a member of the JRFU International Committee in promoting Japan’s ambitions to host the Rugby World Cup. The trophy was presented by Lynn Evans, RFU staff coach who was OURFC’s coach in the early 80’s when Oku played for the Blues XV.

You can download a copy of the Oku Trophy programme here

Lynn Evans presents the Oku Trophy to Kew Occasionals joint captains Tom Clark and Tom Quayle after their 50—7 victory over Hertford College, with sponsor Rhino Rugby’s CEO Reg Clark, Hertford captain Andrew Gosling and OURFC General Manager Tim Stevens who refereed the final.

Rhino’s first venture into sponsoring  a ‘branded’ sevens side – in the International Open competition of the Dubai Sevens from December 1^st to 3^rd – turned out to be a somewhat unexpected success.  The ‘Move One Rhinos’, jointly sponsored by the Dubai-headquartered international logistics company Move One and by Sterling Financial Printers in addition to ourselves, proved to be the ‘dark horses’ of this particular tournament in reaching in the final.   Captained and managed by Matt Gupta, a former work experience intern with Rhino, The Rhinos beat sides from Ireland, France, Nigeria and the UAE to reach the final where they went down to pre-tournament favourites the French  ‘Reservoir Group Pyrenees 7s’. They at least had the pleasure of watching England take revenge for them later that same day, beating France 29-12 in the main IRB Sevens Series tournament.   Whilst we have no plans to emulate some of our teamwear rival companies in running sides on the semi-pro sevens circuit, we are delighted at the success of Matt’s squad and there is no doubt that The Rhinos will be re-appearing again in future.