The Chronicle, Summer 2019

42 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Rugby Sevens By Rob Cottrell, Master i/c of Rugby 1st VII With a tough 15-a-side season under their belts, the 1st team faced the challenge of living up to the very strong pedigree of success at Sevens. They certainly didn’t disappoint. Having despatched Cheltenham, Radley and MCS with superbly convincing victories in the opening weeks of the term, the boys’ confidence was riding high for the Oakham 7s tournament a few weeks later. They won their group to reach the Cup draw, beating The Perse, Trent College and Royal Hospital School along the way, only to be stalled in the Quarter Final with a now depleted squad due to injuries, requiring the call up of some of the U16 players. Still, their pride was certainly intact and they were relishing the next challenge of the Rosslyn Park National Schools’ Sevens tournament - by playing numbers, the biggest rugby tournament in the world. The National Sevens tournament sees hundreds of teams and some 9,000 players descend on south-west London for this most prestigious of tournaments that draws teams from across the globe.

St Edward’s entered sides in all three of the boys’ age groups this season. First to play were the 1st VII who were looking to achieve what so few teams do in reaching the second day of the tournament for the third time in four years. The 12-man squad had a simply outstanding day amongst a field of 280 other teams, winning all of their pool matches against some reputable sides, often by sizeable margins - most notably a 59-5 drubbing of XVs rivals Malvern. Their first match was against RGS Worcester and they had the added, and rare, bonus of being selected for live broadcast. The 1st VII did themselves proud with a 19-5 win, following it up with a powerful performance against Prior Park, which they won 45-0. As the afternoon games began, Teddies found themselves on the main show pitch, with live broadcast and full commentary to accompany their 33-5 win over Reed’s, before the match against Malvern completed the pool stage.  The elimination match drew Teddies against one of the perennial tournament favourites in Epsom. The score line didn’t

tell the story in what was actually a highly competitive game, but unfortunately the match ended 0-27. Teddies held their opposition to a 0-0 second half until the very last minute which showed their strength of character under such a tough onslaught by a team that recently won the prestigious Surrey 7s by beating Cranleigh in the final. Wednesday brought entry to the Bowl competition and an opener against last year’s Vase finalists, St Peter’s, York. St Peter’s showed their mettle and demonstrated why their name comes with a reputation, but a final win by 46 to 17 against an Eastbourne side that had already seen off Marlborough and Wycliffe, among others, was no bad way to end the tournament for the 1st VII. William James’ performance saw him stand out as one of the tournament’s best players as remarked by several head coaches and organisers. With well over ten tries to his name over the two days of competition, he was one of the highest try-scorers of the tournament which is a remarkable

1st VII Squad at Rosslyn Park Schools Sevens 2019