Sedbergh won the first Trophy of the week at the 2018 Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s as they won a brilliant Colts tournament.

They beat a fantastic Clifton College team in the final, 19-7, displaying the same sort of clinical edge that they had shown all day.

In James Naylor they had the outstanding player of the day too, and he was rightly rewarded for his efforts with the Akuma Player of the Tournament award.

It was a team effort from Sedbergh though, not the biggest, they relied on a collective organisation in defence and a highly skilled and clinical attacking edge.

They had powered into the knockouts yesterday, topping their pool before beating Ysgol Y Preseli in the last 32. They began today’s efforts in the last 16 with a fantastic 31-12 win over Ivybridge, who were many punters’ pick for the tournament after their efforts as U14s.

There was plenty of other excitement in that last 16 round through, with close wins for Millfield, Bromsgrove, and Thomas Hardye, while Sherborne needed extra time for a 22-17 win over Whitgift.

Clifton College were impressing all onlookers though as they saw off RGS High Wycombe 43-0, while reigning Champions Wellington College looked daunting, beating Epsom College 28-5, Tonbridge meanwhile saw off Hampton 34-5.

Into the quarters, where Sedbergh enjoyed another cracking win, this time beating Bromsgrove 28-7 to set up a semi final against Tonbridge, who ahd beaten Millfield 29-10. On the other side of the draw Wellington had beaten Sherborne 26-12 to reach the semi final against Clifton, who had beaten Thomas Hardye 38-7.

Sedbergh remained utterly clinical yet hugely pleasing on the eye in their semi final win over Tonbridge, scoring some wonderful tries for a 21-5 win. It was the other semi though that would prove the game of the day as Clifton College came back from 15-14 down in the last play against the reigning champions. Wellington looked sure of victory but Clifton dug right into the depths of their reserves to score a stunning try in the very last play of the game.

Perhaps that was their final, or perhaps was simply that in the final against Sedbergh they came up against a side that was playing at an even higher level than the already outstanding level produced through this Colts tournament.

Sedbergh were simply too hot in defence to lose here, hounding Clifton down at every opportunity and simply running them out of options. It was stunning to watch, more akin to the understanding and knowledge we see at U18 level rather than U16 level.

That is itself is perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to this outstanding Sedbergh group. Physically they looked more like U16s than many, yet mentally, skilfully, and tactically, they would have been perfectly at home in the U18 competitions.

Colts Final:

Clifton College 7-19 Sedbergh

Colts Semi Final Results:

Wellington College 15-21 Clifton College

Sedbergh 21-5 Tonbridge

Colts Quarter Final Results:

Wellington College 26-12 Sherborne

Thomas Hardye 7-38 Clifton College

Sedbergh 28-7 Bromsgrove

Tonbridge 29-10 Millfield

Colts Last 16 Results:

Wellington College 28-5 Epsom College

Whitgift 17-22 Sherborne (AET)

Thomas Hardye 14-12 Devonport HS

Clifton College 43-0 RGS High Wycombe

Sedbergh 31-12 Ivybridge Community College

Cheltenham College 10-14 Bromsgrove

Tonbridge 34-5 Hampton

Dulwich College 12-14 Millfield

Colts Last 32 Results:

Wellington College 36-0 Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni

Durham 22-27 Epsom College

Mount St Mary’s College 12-22 Whitgift

Sherborne 24-5 Cowbridge Comprehensive

Thomas Hardye 43-7 Newbridge

Llandovery College 14-17 Devonport High School

Clifton College 35-14 Whitchurch High School

Uppingham 7-14 RGS High Wycombe

Sedbergh 21-7 Ysgol Y Preseli

Ivybridge 24-0 Waterloo Schools

Cheltenham College 22-17 Eton College

Bromsgrove 26-10 Campion

St Benedict’s 5-36 Tonbridge

Royal Hospital School 12-17 Hampton

Dulwich College 38-12 Worksop College

Cwmtawe 10-33 Millfield

Colts Groups Final Standings