Kirkham Grammar School’s impressive march towards Rosslyn Park continued on Sunday as they secured the prestigious Quilter Cheviot North of England School 7s.

Kirkham must now, surely, by all onlookers be considering among the handful of favourites for the HSBC Rosslyn Park National School 7s title at the end of next week. Their quality, scorelines, and relentless collection of trophies suggests that they have to be, and indeed having won this competition, the biggest on their circuit, they could well be the very favourites.

The won the title last year and began their defence in style, topping Group A ahead of Giggleswick, Old Swinford Hospital, RGS Lancaster, and French side Sacre Coeur.

Then followed arguably their toughest game, a 17-10 over the impressive Queen Ethelburga’s, who had topped Group D.

That led to a 17-0 win against Pocklington, setting up the final against the mightily impressive Woodhouse Grove. Woodhouse Grove pipped Ampleforth College to Group G before knocking out Austin Friars in the quarter finals. Their most impressive result though was their 14-5 win over Barnard Castle in the semi finals, the North Eastern side had knocked out Sedbergh in the quarters, albeit a Sedbergh side shorn of some key players who were on England duty.

In the final though there was simply no stopping this brilliant Kirkham Grammar School side, who ran in the tries for a stunning 31-0 victory and yet another piece of silverware in this remarkable season.

Over in the Plate Malvern College won a thrilling final against King’s Worcester, 26-21. Malvern had finished second to Barnard Castle in Group F while King’s Worcester were behind Queen Ethelburga’s in Group D.

Ultimately though, once again, the story was all about Kirkham. Can they go on and claim that Rosslyn Park title?

Quilter Cheviot North of England School Invitational 7s Results:

Cup

Final

Kirkham Grammar School 31-0 Woodhouse Grove

Semi Finals

Kirkham Grammar School 17-0 Pocklington

Woodhouse Grove 14-5 Barnard Castle

Quarter Finals

Kirkham Grammar 17-10 Queen Ethelburga’s

Pocklington 14-7 RGS Newcastle

Woodhouse Grove 17-5 Austin Friars

Barnard Castle 12-10 Sedbergh

Plate

Final

Malvern College 26-21 King’s Worcester

Semi Finals

Malvern College 15-5 Bradford Grammar

King’s Worcester 24-19 Durham

Quarter Finals

Malvern College 26-7 Ampleforth College

Bradford Grammar 26-5 Stockport Grammar

King’s Worcester 31-19 King’s Macclesfield

Durham 33-7 Giggleswick