Wellington College cemented themselves as the favourites for the HSBC Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s title by winning the Surrey 7s.

In a dramatic final they beat 2014 Champions Millfield 17-12, with Millfield almost leveling the game with the last play of the game.

The two sides were the class of the field, topping their respective groups before securing last sixteen and quarter final victories. It was in the semi finals where the two really showed their quality though, Wellington College beating a good St Joseph’s College side 38-0, while Millfield beat Coleg Sir Gar 40-14.

At the start of the day early adjustments had to be made due to four teams being unable to attend, meaning that Group G was removed and its teams filled the vacated spaces. Leaving eleven groups, which meant that they last sixteen would compromise of the eleven group winners plus the top five runners up, with the remaining top eight Surrey schools going into the Surrey Plate.

That certainly did not reduce the excitement or the drama though as once again Richmond Athletic Ground was home to a fantastic day of 7s rugby.

Once the groups were decided the Surrey Plate could then be organised, a competition well won by Hampton, who having maybe not progressed as they would have liked in the Cup, produced some excellent rugby in the Plate. They saw off Dulwich College and Emanuel before beating Tiffin 36-5 in the final. In their three knockout games they scored 104 points and conceded just 19, superb rugby.

Wellington were similarly good over in the Cup though, scoring 101 points in their three games leading into the final.

The final was a step up on just about everything that had gone before though, two top quality school teams playing at a superbly high level. It was tense, intense, and fast all at the same time.

Millfield took the lead but three tries from Wellington, including a brace from England U18 star Sam Aspland-Robsinson, saw Wellington take a 17-7 lead.

Millfield hit back in the second half though to narrow the gap to 17-12, and with the clock already in the red they pressed for a crucial third score, but strong defence from Wellington eventually forced Millfield into an error, passing the ball into touch.

It is yet another trophy this season for Wellington who, much like Millfield last year, head into Rosslyn Park unbeaten on the 7s field. The question is, can anyone stop them carrying on that run?

Whether they can or not, it will certainly be worth watching the boys in black and gold, their brand of 7s is not just effective, it is creative, fast, and played in ‘true’ 7s style. Entertaining stuff to the last.

The gauntlet has been laid down. You would imagine it will not be long before these two are fighting things out yet again.

Surrey 7s Cup Champions – Wellington College

Final:

Wellington College 17-12 Millfield

Semi Finals:

Coleg Sir Gar 14-40 Millfield

Wellington College 38-0 St Joseph’s College

Quarter Finals:

John Fisher 10-38 Coleg Sir Gar

Millfield 24-7 Oaklands College

Campion 0-31 Wellington College

Henley College 12-40 St Joseph’s College

Last 16:

Epsom College 14-24 John Fisher

Coleg Sir Gar 38-24 Felsted

Millfield 17-5 Harrow

Cranleigh 17-24 Oaklands College

Brighton College 12-19 Campion

Trinity 0-32 Wellington College

Caterham 7-31 Henley College

St Joseph’s College 50-12 Haileybury

Surrey Plate Champions – Hampton

Final:

Hampton 36-5 Tiffin

Semi Finals:

Hampton 35-7 Emanuel

Grodons 7-22 Tiffin

Quarter Finals:

Hampton 33-7 Dulwich College

RGS Guildford 5-26 Emanuel

Wallington CGS 17-24 Gordons

Whitgift 12-17 Tiffin

*Group G was removed due to teams being unable to attend.