Surrey Schools U15 Rugby 7s Plate Winners

On Tuesday 8th March 2022, our U15 rugby sevens squad travelled to Caterham School to compete in the Surrey County sevens. This was a fantastic occasion, superbly hosted by Caterham school and well attended by some of the top schools across the county.

Emanuel was drawn in Group E alongside Hampton, Richard Challoner and the Ashcombe school. We faced the group favourites, Hampton, first. The boys put in a spirited effort and had plenty of opportunities to score but failed to convert, losing 26 – 0. This would, however, be the last time the boys lost that day. Up next, we played the Ashcombe school, winning 28 – 12 and leaving it all to play for in the final group game. The winner of our fixture with Richard Challoner, would decide the pathway into the Plate or Bowl. Emanuel ran out comfortable winners, 38 – 5, to finish second in the group behind Hampton.

The afternoon heated up with the knockout stages and Emanuel were to progress in the plate competition. We drew the Cedars School, Croydon in the quarter finals. Cedars were a big, athletic side with several exciting players. The boys managed the game superbly and looked in control throughout. Sean and James directed the flow of the game and Rory and Archie grew in confidence and stature. We comfortably beat the Cedars school, 24 – 5 to move onto the plate semi-final. Dunottar School, Reigate won their quarter final and faced Emanuel School next. A nervous start saw us concede early on. Once the boys regrouped, they never looked back, winning 28 – 10 and progressing into the final.

The Surrey Schools Plate Final match saw us up against John Fisher, a strong rugby playing school with a rich history and understandably favourites to win. A poor start from Emanuel meant that we were three tries down, looking to manage the score line and the clock. However, an inspirational second half performance, with the players showing real grit and resilience, saw us close the gap. The referee called ‘last play’ at the Emanuel re-start. The side was down 26 – 24, having come back into the game. James kicked the ball high, Lucas chased hard and competed for the ball, winning the ariel contest. Emanuel had possession and make a line break. Lucas put Archie away in the corner and Emanuel School snatched the victory from the grasp of John Fisher, winning 29 – 26.

The Year 10 boys were a credit to the school and to themselves throughout the day. This will give them such confidence going into the John Pieroni 7s, hosted by Wimbledon College on Sunday 20th March.

Mr Gaynor (Director of Rugby)