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'Pieman' is back, without the pies and very much one for the ladies

First he ate all the pies. Then he turned his attention to salad. And now he's been cutting up the oranges.

Martin Hollis - aka 'The Pieman' - made his 10th appearance at the Hong Kong Sevens on the weekend and his first since 2006. And how times have changed.

Where once only found sat in the stands, rising to wave pies and pints and extra poundage to the chants of the Hong Kong Stadium faithful, this year he patrolled the sidelines as manager of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union Ladies in the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Hong Kong Women's Sevens on Friday.

In between, of course, the big Englishman has shed about 45kg, and he could not be happier.

After moving to Dubai in 2005, Hollis has involved himself in managing colts and under-16 representative sides in the Gulf. Helping out with the women, he says, was a natural progression.

'After moving to the region, they were looking for volunteers who had a little bit of rugby experience. So I said 'by all means',' he says.

'Rugby itself in the region is obviously very much an expat sport, but it's actually bigger than you may think because the rugby club is a community stronghold. Some of the clubs are 400 to 600 strong and the women's side is a natural part of that community.

'It is constantly developing and gaining more acceptance - just like all women's sport in the Gulf.'

As well as passing on his rugby knowledge - gleaned from his playing days in the UK and on tours to the great rugby grounds of the world - and passing out those oranges and refreshments to the Gulf players during breaks in play, Hollis let the women know a little about the Hong Kong event, and his place in its history.

'I think they have been a bit surprised, as I have a bit of a legacy, don't I,' says Hollis, who first came to Hong Kong for the 1993 event.

'I have lost all the weight but people around the world still know me as 'Pie' anyway. I've shown the players some of the books and photos. They were so excited about coming over. They know what a great event it is and they want to show the world that they can play the game, too.'

Hollis says the hard-living days are well and truly behind him.

A good thing considering he once estimated a regular day at Hong Kong Stadium would include 10 pints poured in over the top of at least a dozen pies.

The former forex trader now spends most of his time helping organise sporting tours for the UK-based Gullivers group.

'I'm still around 45kg down from my heaviest in the late 90s,' says Hollis. 'But once I had got that big I realised I just had to calm down. I had to calm my lifestyle down - that was pretty obvious.

'But I have a lot less stress now and I spend most of my time involved with sport which is something I really love.'

While in Dubai, Hollis has witnessed the rise of sevens rugby . The Gulf state last year hosted the sevens World Cup and continues to expand all forms of the game,

'People there now believe the Dubai Sevens has taken over from Hong Kong,' he says.

'In terms of players there are 12 different tournaments on at the same time, from local clubs to internationals. And so that much is true.

'But it certainly hasn't got the atmosphere that Hong Kong has. I have been telling the players you have to experience that for yourself to really understand what it's all about.'

And Hollis is revelling in it all, pies or no pies.

'It has been great seeing some old pals and getting back into that Hong Kong Sevens scene,' says Hollis. 'But more importantly it's been great helping the girls learn how to play rugby at this standard. They played against the best and that's the way you learn. Most of the squad competed in the Asian championships last year and the World Cup qualifiers in 2008, so it was important to give them some exposure.'

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