As spring term concludes, we look back on a very busy week of Rugby Sevens across the school. During the final week of term our high-flying Under-15s were in action at the ‘John Pieroni 7s’ hosted by our friends Wimbledon College and our U14, U16 and U18 squads were in action at the worlds largest schools rugby tournament, the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens.
On Sunday 20th March, our U15s travelled to Coombe Lane boosted by the confidence of winning the Surrey County U15 Plate in the previous week. The boys were drawn in a tough group alongside Wimbledon College, St. Pauls Boys School, Eton College and Skinners. The boys put in a dominant performance to beat Wimbledon College 20 – 12. We went toe-to-toe with St. Paul’s and were drawn level 21 – 21 before receiving two yellow cards and eventually losing out. The boys took on Eton College next, and up by 5 points for much of the game will look back on a 7 – 5 loss as an opportunity missed. The boys ended the day again locked in a battle, losing narrowly to Skinners School 19 – 12 and exiting the competition in fourth place overall on points difference.
Tuesday 22nd March our U18s headed to Roehampton, excited to play on the national stage. We were drawn in Group A against Bromsgrove School, 2019 winners, and Welsh schools Ysgol Y Preseli and Bassaleg School. The boys were on the big stage, the Vase opener on RE1 liver streamed across the world on the NexGen platform. The U18s grew with confidence throughout the day, beating Bassaleg School 42 – 12 in the final group match.
It was the turn of our U16s on Wednesday, who took on Colts favourites, the Warwick School, in round one. The boys started brightly and shocked spectators and the opposition alike. The boys went into the half 14 – 12 at half-time. The Warwickshire School soon found their feet, and ran out eventual winners 47 – 21 but a fantastic effort from our U16s who were without three of the starting seven due to injury.
Thursday the 24th of March was arguably the school’s best opportunity to progress on the National stage. Our U14As had only lost three games in the autumn and our U14Bs, had only lost one game. We have four premiership pathway players at this age-group and arguably a couple more to come. The boys drew Berkhamsted, St. Edward’s and the Royal Hospital School. The boys made light work of the Royal Hospital, winning 24 – 14. They fought off a competitive ‘Teddy’s’ to win 19 – 14 and sadly came unstuck against a physical Berkhamsted, losing 26 – 5 to finish second in the group overall with two wins and one loss.
Mr Gaynor (Director of Rugby)
