St Edward's Chronicle Summer 2018

34 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Rugby Sevens By Rob Cottrell, Master i/c Rugby

1st VII Going into the showcase event of the season, and the largest schools' rugby tournament in the world, the senior squad had almost no preparation with all the tournaments they had entered being cancelled due to bad weather. In spite of this, it was a wonderfully successful tournament for our 1st VII squad at the Rosslyn Park 7s in the National Schools Vase tournament contested by 180 schools. The team progressed to the main competition on the second day of the event after winning all their games on the first day – a feat that has not been achieved for at least 12 years (when the tournament was in a different format and certainly consisted of less teams). There were convincing wins against RGS Guildford, Oratory, and Wellingborough in the group stages. Most impressively, especially considering the tired bodies and minds, the team produced their best performance in their knock-out game at the end of the day: they beat a highly-regarded Berkhamsted team 31-14, and progressed to the last 18 teams in the tournament. After preparing meticulously for day two to ensure they had the best possible chance of success, the team returned to the tournament on Thursday morning. Their first game was a winner-takes-all clash against St Peter’s, York. Teddies faced an incredibly powerful opposition and within the first couple of minutes were down 0-14. However, once again, this group of young men showed strength of character and fought back to 19-21. In the last few seconds of the match, the team came within inches of the opposition line as well as having an opportunity for a penalty conversion to win the game – unfortunately it wasn’t to be, and St Peter’s went on all the way to the final. An agonising result and an example of the fine margins in top- level sport. The lethal Dekoye Coker and Josh Moore scored an impressive 8 and 7 tries respectively, and it is no surprise that Cameron King was selected for England Counties and England Sevens Academy trials after the athleticism he displayed over the whole tournament.

in winning one match and losing three to the big-hitting schools of serious rugby pedigree such as Brighton College, RGS High Wycombe and Malvern College, but the margin of loss and victory was always close in a fiercely competitive pool. By the end of the day the Yearlings were operating on a rota of just eight players after injuries, leaving those still playing utterly exhausted. At their best they played some very good 7s and as a learning experience it was invaluable; they will surely improve and progress in seasons to come.

In many games they came up against bigger, stronger, quicker, and more experienced opposition but they showed what can be achieved when you act as a collective and never as an individual; have endless grit and determination; and take pride in your work – they were a credit to their coaches and to the School. Colts Adverse weather conditions all term and a lack of opportunities to showcase their skill meant that the Colts were always going to find it difficult to exit their group at the same tournament. A difficult draw did not help matters, and although a good opening performance against Kirkham Grammar School set the tone for the day, ultimately it was a hard day for the team. Maxi Madrian was by far the most consistent and effective player in both defence and attack. Daniel Hoggar and Harrison Wells both scored a brace of tries as Fourth Formers playing a year up, so there is plenty to be excited about for next year. Yearlings The Yearlings squad very much enjoyed their day at Rosslyn Park. Finding time to train as a full squad proved challenging prior to the event but the boys were on superb form and gave of their best. The pool games resulted

Josh Moore and Isaac Brennan were selected for the prestigious Samurai VIIs, winning the UR7s Open Tournament

The senior Rosslyn Park National Schools VIIs team who progressed to the last 18 teams from a field of 180.