Epsom College retained their Sussex Schools 7s title at Christ’s Hospital on Sunday, claiming the Cup ahead of a very strong field.

They sealed their triumph in a final against a side that they knew plenty about from the fifteen-a-side season, Hurstpierpoint College, whom they had defeated in the Champions Trophy semi final.

Before meeting in Sunday’s final, the two sides had to work seriously hard, Epsom came through a tough Group 2 ahead of Caterham, Pangbourne College, King’s Canterbury, and Worth, while Hurstpierpoint emerged from a four team Group 3 ahead of the hosts, Christ’s Hospital, Wimbledon College, and Wisbech Grammar.

Only the top side from each group progressed to the Cup, so it was straight to the semi finals where Epsom beat Group 1 winners and perennial 7s winners, Brighton College, 17-5. Hurstpierpoint meanwhile beat Dulwich College, who already have a 7s title to their name this season by an impressive 40-12 margin after Dulwich had topped Group 4.

Come the final though Epsom just had too much, securing an impressive 31-19 victory that will have them heading into the rest of the 7s season, and Rosslyn Park in a months time, full of confidence.

Henley College won the Plate, consisting of second placed finishers in the group, the AASE side finished second to Dulwich in their pool before beating Caterham 26-21 in the Plate final after a walkover in the semi final.

Meanwhile the Shield was won by Wimbledon College. Those finishing third in their groups contested the Shield and after finishing behind Hurstpierpoint and Christ’s Hospital in Group 3, Wimbledon faced a semi final against Group 4s challengers, Brighton College’s 2^nd VII. They won that impressively, 35-0, before a thrilling final against Group 1s New Hall, where Wimbledon just came out on top, 24-22.

The final piece of silverware was the Bowl, contested by sides finishing fourth in their group. Cardinal Newman, from Group 1, picked up the title here, beating Robert Clack 47-26 after a semi final walkover against Wisbech Grammar.

Ultimately the day was about that Cup run though, and both Epsom and Hurstpierpoint will take a huge amount from this. Both beat quality sides in their semi finals in the form of Brighton and Dulwich, results which should fill them with confidence ahead of later challenges.

For Epsom though it was a real day to remember, a first piece of silverware this season and a real gauntlet laid down ahead of the remainder of the school 7s season.

Epsom also won the girls title, with their side winning a round-robin competition ahead of Robert Clack, Reigate Grammar, Worthing College, and host Christ College.

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Images via Epsom College

Sussex Schools 7s Results:

Champions – Epsom College

Plate Winners – Henley College

Shield Winners – Wimbledon College

Bowl Winners – Cardinal Newman

Cup Results

Final

Epsom College 31-19 Hurstpierpoint College

Semi Finals

Epsom College 17-5 Brighton College

Hurstpierpoint College 40-12 Dulwich College

Plate Results

Final

Henley College 26-21 Caterham

Semi Finals

Henley College w/o Christ’s Hospital

Caterham 19-12 Felsted

Shield Results

Final

Wimbledon College 24-22 New Hall

Semi Finals

Wimbledon College 35-0 Brighton College 2^nd VII

New Hall 29-5 Pangbourne College

Bowl Results

Final

Cardinal Newman 47-26 Robert Clack

Semi Finals

Cardinal Newman 27-12 King’s Canterbury

Robert Clack w/o Wisbech GS

Final Group Standings