After nearly three long years, the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s finally returned after two tournaments lost to Covid, and returned in style.
Day 1 saw the Junior (U13) and U11 competitions take place amidst glorious sunshine across South West London, the Rosslyn Park 7s are at their absolute finest when the sun beats down across the pitches, bringing extra life to the whole event.
After nearly three long years, including a couple of virtual tournaments, it was the perfect return.
On the field the action was outstanding, with both RE1 and RE2 being live streamed, both of which you can rewatch below.
RE1
RE2
Both the U13s and the U11s were playing a group only ‘festival’ format, as per RFU regulations. Which meant no prizes, although Scarisbrick Hall did win the Coach Logic try of the day for their U13s’ effort in Group F, where they finished second to King’s Ely on mere points difference.
Juniors (U13s)
Elsewhere in the Juniors competition their were nine sides from the fourteen groups that went through with a perfect five from five record, Richard Challoner in Group A, St Joseph’s College in Group E, Woodlands in Group H, Hampton in Group I, Berkhamsted in Group J, New Hall in Group K, Westbourne House in Group L, Rokeby in Group N, and a very exciting Stamford side in Group M.
Elsewhere St Ambrose College, Ivybridge, and St Richard Reynolds were all also unbeaten, though did draw a game, while in Group B Glantaf lost to Rhydywaun, but still managed to top the group on points difference after Rhydywaun then suffered a later defeat.
| Pos | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| 1 | Richard Challoner | Glantaf | St Richard Reynolds | Ivybridge |
| 2 | Birkenhead | Rhydywaun | Westcliff High | Warwick |
| 3 | Prince Henry’s | King’s Worcester | St Anselm’s | Gwyr |
| 4 | Wisbech Grammar | Monmouth | QEH | Newquay Tretheras |
| 5 | Mount St Mary’s | Whitmore High | The Oratory | Stockport GS |
| 6 | Holyrood Academy | Ashville Harrogate | KES Bath | St Benedict’s |
| Pos | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
| 1 | St Joseph’s College | King’s Ely | St Ambrose College | Woodlands |
| 2 | St John’s | Scarisbrick Hall | Royal Alexandra | Lancaster RGS |
| 3 | NSB | Eltham College | Yarm | QES Barnet |
| 4 | Colston’s | Bohunt | Ibstock Place | KCS Wimbledon |
| 5 | Newcastle SfB | Samuel Ryder | Birkdale | London Oratory |
| 6 | RGS Guildford | Oakham | Norwich | Llangatwg |
| Pos | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L |
| 1 | Hampton | Berkhamsted | New Hall | Westbourne House |
| 2 | Caterham | Sir Joseph Will | Stanwell | Campion |
| 3 | Bromsgrove | Rodillian Academy | Bedford Modern | Prior Park Academy |
| 4 | Gordon’s | Colfe’s | KES Birmingham | Welland Park |
| 5 | Hurstpierpoint | John Fisher | Blundell’s | Orleans Park |
| 6 | Haileybury | Mount Kelly | St Olave’s Grammar | Leicester Grammar |
| Pos | Group M | Group N |
| 1 | Stamford | Rokeby |
| 2 | Wallington CGS | Ashfold |
| 3 | Red House | Arnold House |
| 4 | CoL Freemen’s | Penyrheol |
| 5 | Preistlands | Bredon |
| 6 | Woodbridge | UCS |
U11 Festival
In the U11 tournament four of the five groups were won by sides that went through the day unbeaten. In Group A KCS Wimbledon topped the pile, while local rivals Wimbledon College topped Group E through their junior school, Donhead. Group D was topped by Dulwich College, while Group B saw a first – an international sister school of a big UK name topping the pile, Repton School’s Dubai School. Group C was a tighter affair, with Cranmore finishing up on top. A draw with St Hugh’s opened things up, but their performances against the rest of the group saw them stay ahead of the pack.
| Pos | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E |
| 1 | KCS Wimbledon | Repton School, (Dubai) | Cranmore | Dulwich College | Donhead (Wim College Prep) |
| 2 | St John’s Beaumont | St Paul’s | Bromsgrove | Milbourne Lodge | Hawthorns |
| 3 | St Benedict’s | Warwick | Willington Independent | Wetherby Preparatory | Terra Nova |
| 4 | Brighton College Prep | Ashfold | St Hughes | Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun | Rokeby |
| 5 | The Oratory | Arnold House School | Hampton | Hall Grove | Scarisbrick Hall |
| 6 | Stover | Danes Hill | Thomas’s Battersea | Wisbech Grammar | Hurlingham |
It was a terrific day of rugby for all involved, but perhaps most importantly a terrific day of rugby full stop. Having the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s feels like schools rugby normality finally fully returning. The world has changed, the 7s have changed, but when the sun shines on the Rosslyn Park 7s and the players are enjoying themselves, there is simply nothing better.
