Wellington College secured the 2017 Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s Colts title in a thrilling final against Millfield.
These two legends of schoolboy rugby played out a stunning final, with Wellington College coming from behind to seal a stunning victory with a try in the very last play of the game to win 19-14.
It was a cruel way for Millfield to be beaten in what had been a fantastically good final, but it was oh so sweet for Wellington College, who had, in truth, been the standout team in the Colts tournament throughout.
They picked up from yesterday’s great success with a 29-5 victory over Harrow in their last 16 tie, an ominous sign for the rest of the field given Harrow’s form. That was followed by a highly impressive 24-0 win against last year’s champions, Brighton College.
Then came really the first big test that Wellington College had faced all tournament, against a strong Sedbergh side in the semi finals. Much like the final, it took a late Wellington College score to seal this game in dramatic fashion, 17-14 against their old northern rivals.
Millfield, meanwhile had come past Uppingham and Woodhouse Grove, before a stunning 41-10 semi final win over RGS High Wycombe sent them into the final flying high on confidence.
As the final approached, the nerves began to build all around the Rosslyn Park 7s grounds, and the game started in that vein, it was a tense and tight affair.
Wellington College sparked the game into life with a try midway through the half, and form there it really took off. This was rugby that would not have looked out of place in the U18 Cup final on Friday, let alone the Colts. Millfield responded brilliantly to that setback though, scoring a beauty to send the sides in at half time tied at 7-7.
They ten took the lead shortly after a break with a truly exceptional try, and when they won a penalty on their own tryline with only a couple of minutes left, it felt like that might just be that.
How wrong we all were though, and we should have known better, this is a Wellington College side that is made of stern stuff. As one spectator pointed out, this group lost a NatWest Cup final as U15s, they were not going to let another major final slip from their grasp.
Sure enough they fired back, scoring a wonderous try after the most deft of chips when all looked lost, before that dramatic final score. Millfield had been soaking up the pressure, but as Wellington moved the ball from side to side, they suddenly had an opening on the right hand side.
They shifted the ball there at lightening speed, firing it wide, all Millfield could do was force the try into the corner, but unfortunately for them that was an effort in vain with the time up on the clock.
In the end though, Millfield will hold their heads up high, this Wellington College group are a very special bunch indeed and are deserved winners. Their play across the two days has been by far and away the standout play of week so far.
Congratulations to Wellington College a fine result and a stunning achievement, they will undoubtedly be back and challenging for more silverware next year, this time as U18s – everyone else, beware!
Colts Final
Wellington College 19-14 Millfield
Colts Semi Final Results:
Wellington College 17-14 Sedbergh
Millfield 41-10 RGS High Wycombe
Colts Quarter Final Results:
Brighton College 0-24 Wellington College
Sedbergh 17-7 Portsmouth Grammar School
Woodhouse Grove 5-26 Millfield
Blundell’s 7-10 RGS High Wycombe
Colts Last 16 Results:
Brighton College 15-10 Colston’s
Harrow 5-29 Wellington College
Sedbergh 21-12 Aylesbury Grammar School
Portsmouth Grammar School 7-0 Warwick
Woodhouse Grove 14-5 Dulwich College
Uppingham 7-31 Millfield
Blundell’s 19-5 Eton College
RGS High Wycombe 31-14 Wimbledon College
Colts Last 32 Round Results:
Brighton College (Winner A) 29-0 Sherborne (Winner B)
Ipswich (C) 0-62 Colston’s (D)
RGS Guildford (E) 12-31 Harrow (F)
Kirkham Grammar School (G) 0-50 Wellington College (H)
Sedbergh (I) 54-7 Maidstone Grammar School (J)
Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg (K) 5-40 Aylesbury Grammar School (R)
Portsmouth Grammar School (L) 21-7 Whitgift (M)
Warwick (N) 26-21 Cowbridge Comprehensive (O)
Ysgol Y Preseli (P) 5-38 Woodhouse Grove (Q)
RGS Newcastle (S) 21-28 Dulwich College (T)
Uffculme (U) 10-50 Uppingham (V)
Newcastle-Under-Lyme (W) 5-33 Millfield (X)
Ivybridge Community College (Y) 12-39 Blundell’s (FF)
Eton College (Z) 43-7 Clifton College (AA)
RGS High Wycombe (BB) 33-17 Barnard Castle (CC)
Wimbledon College (DD) 36-28 Llandovery College (EE)
