Sedbergh look in good form ahead of their Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s titles defence after winning Sunday’s Mount St Mary’s College 7s.

They did so despite having a couple of top players absent due to U18 International duty, but still finished the day unbeaten having scored a serious haul of points.

They were given a fright in the final though by a strong St Peter’s York side. St Peter’s led 17-7 at the break only for the men in brown to really find their stride in the second half as they produced a stunning comeback for a 33-17 victory.

Earlier in the day Sedbergh had topped Group 4 ahead of Ashville College, Durham, and French side St Louis DG. The top two from each of the four groups went through to the Cup quarter final, the bottom two to the Plate quarter finals.

For Sedbergh that meant a quarter final against Group 3 runners up Pocklington, the side they beat in the final of the Worksop 7s. Pocklington meanwhile had been beaten to top spot in the group by Schools Cup semi finalists, Woodhouse Grove, who would face Ashville College.

On the other side of the draw the hosts, Mount St Mary’s, had topped Group 1 and faced Group 2 runners up Hymers College, while St Peter’s were up against RGS Worcester.

Hymers gave the hosts a bit of a challenge, but Mount St Mary’s made it through 19-10, while Sedbergh, Woodhouse Grove, and St Peter’s all progressed with relative ease.

Into the semi finals then, where rivals Sedbergh and Woodhouse Grove went head to head. Once again though Sedbergh were on fire and took a 33-5 victory. St Peter’s and Mount St Mary’s meanwhile had a really tight one, won by just one score as St Peter’s took it 12-5.

Into the final St Peter’s must have been feeling good 17-7 up at the half, but this Sedbergh side is resilient, confident, and oozes quality and they simply could not be stopped in a glorious second half.

Over in the Plate, meanwhile, Durham made it two trophies for Group 4 as they sealed the silverware, beating Yarm 34-7 in the quarters ahead of a 26-12 win over Nottingham High School in the semis. They met Bradford Grammar in the final, who had beaten Barnard Castle and Uppingham, taking a thrilling game 24-17 to claim the Plate.

Ultimately though the day will be remembered for the performances of Sedbergh, who must be feeling confident ahead of the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s in a little over a week’s time. It is shaping up to be another spectacular tournament.

Mount St Mary’s 7s Results:

Champions – Sedbergh

Plate – Durham

Cup

Final

Sedbergh 33-17 St Peter’s York (7-17 HT)

Semi Finals

Sedbergh 33-5 Woodhouse Grove

St Peter’s,York 12-5 Mount St Mary’s

Quarter Finals

Sedbergh 34-7 Pocklington

Woodhouse Grove 36-0 Ashville College

St Peter’s, York 39-0 RGS Worcester

Mount St Mary’s 19-10 Hymers College

Plate

Final

Durham 24-17 Bradford Grammar

Semi Finals

Durham 26-12 Nottingham High School

Bradford Grammar 33-17 Uppingham

Quarter Finals

Durham 34-7 Yarm

Nottingham High School 31-7 St Louis DG

Bradford Grammar 17-12 Barnard Castle

Uppingham 24-21 Ampleforth College

Final Groups Standings

Images via Trevor Jones & Mount St Mary’s College