Cheltenham College picked up the Cracknell Cup at the Shiplake 7s on Sunday, their first silverware of a brilliant season.
An unbeaten fifteen-a-side season saw Cheltenham College finish fifth in the Daily Mail Trophy table, and it looks as though that form has been taken across to the shortened form of the game.
They topped a tricky Group C ahead of Caterham, long term rivals Radley College, and Emanuel to progress to the Cracknell Cup semi finals, named after former Shiplake pupil and England 7s captain, Chris Cracknell.
They faced last week’s Seaford 7s champions Hurstpierpoint College in that semi final, securing a brilliant 24-5 victory. That sent them into the final, where they would face St Paul’s, who had beaten the back to back champions, Bedford, 33-14 in their semi final after topping Group D.
Cheltenham were on form again in the final though, beating St Paul’s 24-12 to secure their first silverware of the season. The Plate final, for the losing semi finalists, was won by Hurstpierpoint College, 24-14 winners over Bedford.
The hosts, Shiplake College, won the Shield, for those finishing second in the Group. They beat Eastbourne College 24-14 in the final, following a 3-26 win over Caterham, Eastbourne meanwhile had beaten Worth 20-7. Caterham picked up the Bowl, for the Shield semi final losers, beating Worth 36-0.
Those finishing third in the Groups competed for the Trophy, which Radley College won thanks to a 21-19 win over Haileybury in the semi final and a 10-5 win over Tonbridge in the final. The Vase, meanwhile, was won by Abingdon. Those finishing bottom of the groups competed for the Vase, where Abingdon first beat Seaford College, and then New Hall 31-12 in the final.
Cheltenham College were undoubtedly the stars of the day though, and after a stunning season they now have the silverware they so richly deserve. Could there yet be more ahead?
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Shiplake 7s Results:
Cracknell Cup Final
Cheltenham College 24-12 St Paul’s
Plate Final
Hurstpierpoint College 24-14 Bedford
Semi Finals
Cheltenham College 24-5 Hurstpierpoint College
St Paul’s 33-14 Bedford
Shield Final
Shiplake College 24-14 Eastbourne College
Bowl Final
Caterham 36-0 Worth
Semi Finals
Shiplake College 31-26 Caterham
Eastbourne College 20-7 Worth
Trophy Final
Radley College 10-5 Tonbridge
Semi Finals
Radley College 21-19 Haileybury
Tonbridge 31-7 Caterham 2nd VII
Vase Final
Abingdon 31-12 New Hall
Semi Finals
Abingdon 19-14 Seaford College
New Hall 45-7 Emanuel
Final Group Standings | ||||
Pos | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
1 | Hurstpierpoint | Bedford | Cheltenham | St Paul’s |
2 | Shiplake College | Worth | Caterham | Eastbourne |
3 | Haileybury | Tonbridge | Radley College | Caterham 2nds |
4 | New Hall | Abingdon | Emanuel | Seaford College |