Bedford demonstrated on Sunday afternoon that their fifteen-side-form of last term is most certainly going to transform into 7s form this term as they powered to the Oakham 7s title.

They were at their absolute clinical best in the final, beating Stowe by a stunning 42-5 margin, a Stowe side who had topped a group that included Stamford, and had beaten the host Oakham 33-10 in the semi final.

Bedford, meanwhile, had been given a good game by St Joseph’s College, eventually winning 19-14 against the side who had had to get past Rugby, Nottingham High School, and Ashville College in Group 4.

Hosts Oakham will be relatively pleased with their efforts, they came top of the pile in Group 1 against Trent College, Culford, and their huge local rivals, Uppingham, to set up their semi final against Stowe.

Rugby claimed the Plate, they had finished second behind St Joseph’s College in Group 4 to set up a semi final against The Oratory, who finished behind Bedford in Group 2.

Rugby won that one 33-17, giving them a Plate final against Stamford, local rivals of Oakham again, who had beaten Trent College in a thriller in their semi final 31-29.

Rugby had too much for Stamford in the final though, winning 36-10 to claim the silverware.

The plaudits though must go to this incredible group of Bedford. After playing such attractive and successful rugby in the fifteen-a-side season, and starting with a bang in the 7s season, they must be among the favourites at Rosslyn Park this year.

Oakham 7s Champions – Bedford

Cup Final

Stowe 5-42 Bedford

Cup Semi Finals

Oakham 10-33 Stowe

Bedford 19-14 St Joseph’s College

Plate Final

Stamford 10-36 Rugby

Plate Semi Finals

Trent College 29-31 Stamford

The Oratory 17-33 Rugby