Oxford Brookes stripped of Surveyors Sevens title

  The winners of this year’s National Surveyors Sevens tournament have been stripped of the title after it emerged that a key player who was voted man of the tournament was ineligible and playing under a false name.   The decision to disqualify Oxford Brookes University means the Estates Gazette-sponsored title passes to CB Richard Ellis, the team that Oxford beat 33-0 win in the final two weeks ago.   It is the first time in 16 years that CBRE has won the tournament, which is held annually at Richmond Athletic Ground.   RICS Matrix, the team Oxford Brookes beat 14-7 in a tight semi-final, has been awarded the runners-up trophy.   An Extraordinary General Meeting of the National Surveyors Sevens Committee was called on Monday to discuss the matter after it emerged that the false name Luke Budgen had been provided for the Oxford Brookes player awarded Man of the Tournament on several occasions throughout the day.   The player is ineligible because, while he is a student at Oxford Brookes, he is not taking a real estate-related course.   The university has now been disqualified from playing in the tournament alongside Cass Business School, which was discovered to have fielded two ineligible players.   The Surveyors Sevens Committee said it would now conduct a thorough review to ensure ineligible players did not take part in the future.   On a better note, the day’s selected charity, Kids Kidney Research, has raised a record £40,000.   paul.norman@estatesgazette.com