Spoilt for Choice in Twickenham

Correspondent

Two major events will take place either side of the A316 in Twickenham on Saturday with some fourteen rugby teams on display. World Club Champions, Bradford Bulls will make their second visit of the season to the Twickenham Stoop to play Harlequins RL in the engage Super League, and just across the road the NEC Harlequins will compete in the Middlesex 7's.

Harlequins Rugby League are encouraging those who buy tickets to the Middlesex Sevens to take in some world class rugby league as well. By presenting a valid MX7's ticket at the Twickenham Stoop Ticket Office you will be entitled to a half priced ticket (£20 tickets reduced to £10) to see Quins RL tackle Bradford Bulls.

The event schedules allow a stack of time for a visit to both venues. The MX7's kicks off around 11am with the Quins due to play Gloucester at precisely 11.18am. Some twelve teams will then compete across a six hour day which culminates in the final at about 5.30pm.

If that sounds like a long time to sit and watch seven-a-side rugby, it is. It's also a long time to spend drinking!

The MX7's are much like a social marathon which mixes several shots of rugby with plenty of drink. In fact, when asked what they are most looking forward to from this year's Middlesex Sevens, 31% said 'the drinking', while just a few more were most looking forward to 'exciting rugby'.

Bradford Bulls know all about the Middlesex Sevens. They are the most recent rugby league club to have won the title adding to Wigan Warriors efforts in 1997.

It promises to be a big day for rugby in Twickenham on Saturday 12th August and fans need not be at sixes and sevens when choosing which event to attend. Why not choose both?

Harlequins RL play Bradford Bulls at the Twickenham Stoop at 3pm on Saturday 12th August with the full time hooter expected to sound at around 4.30pm. The Middlesex Sevens Final is scheduled for 5.25pm and the walk between the two venues takes about 5 minutes.

Asked if it was possible to avoid this clash of events Harlequins RL Chief Executive Nic Cartwright commented:

"We will only ever shift our fixture for a very big event at Twickenham and when recommended to do so by police, or if NEC Harlequins require to the pitch. Television commitments may also from time to time require a move from our preferred timeslot."

Our decision to play our games on Saturday afternoons was based on a lot of information and we stand by that."

This situation is not ideal but our ticket promotion may tempt a number of people across from the Sevens who want to watch elite rugby league in the flesh. They will not only see 'fast-flowing rugby'; they'll also see eighty minutes of non-stop, brutal defence."

Quins' home game against Wigan Warriors will be played at 3pm on Sunday 10th September at the Twickenham Stoop. NEC Harlequins play Gloucester at 3pm on Saturday 9th September at the Stoop, hence the shift to Sunday.

Tickets to see Quins RL v Bradford Bulls are now on sale from as little as £12 when purchased in advance. Be sure to come dressed for the Beach Party for your chance to WIN a mystery prize.