Day 4 at the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s is always a big day, with the Colts tournament finishing off and the U14 Cup beginning alongside the flagship U18 Cup competition.
2022 was no different, after 3 years Thursday is still moving day and what a day it proved, with thrilling competition across all three competitions as well as a number of the Prep Schools and Girls teams that will be playing tomorrow making an appearance to soak in what was an absolutely epic atmosphere in the sun.
After four days, talking of the sunshine and the sheer joy at being here is still not growing old. It is an utter pleasure to be back for everyone, player, staff, supporter, organiser, and even media.
Colts
Harrow claimed the Colts title at the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s after a stunning series of performances across the two days here in the sunshine of South West London.
Harrow were absolutely clinical, topping a tough Group E ahead of Bedford Modern and Kirkham Grammar School before meeting a mighty Wellington College side in the quarter finals, who had topped Group F ahead of King’s College Taunton and Stowe.
Harrow were so so impressive in that quarter final though, performing outstandingly well to defeat the Berkshire side 38-5 and progress to a semi final against Trinity, who had looked like one of the outstanding sides all day after bettering Millfield and St Peter’s in their Day 2 group ahead of a 33-7 defeat of King’s Macclesfield in the quarter finals.
Harrow again dug oh so deep though, having to play some of their very best stuff to secure a 22-12 win and a place in the final against Eton College.
Eton were on a roll, having finished ahead of St Paul’s and Clifton College in their pool, they then went on a knockout rampage, defeating Rugby School 21-14 in their quarter ahead of a highly impressive 24-7 defeat of St Ambrose College in the semi finals.
In front of a big crowd on RE1, which loads of games still finishing up, the two sides ran out to a loud reception, and though Eton gave it absolutely everything – throughout the day their side could be heard talking of playing for each other – they were powerless to resist this outstanding Harrow School side as they claimed an utterly brilliant 29-12 victory.
Silverware again for Harrow then, who won the U14 tournament in the last Rosslyn Park 7s before Covid, back in 2019, they are making somewhat of a habit of securing silverware here at the Nationals!
Colts Champions: Harrow
Colts Final
Harrow 29-12 Eton College
Semi Finals
Eton College 24-7 St Ambrose College, Harrow 22-12 Trinity
Quarter Finals
Eton College 21-14 Rugby, Whigift 7-26 St Ambrose College, Harrow 38-5 Wellington College, King’s Macclesfield 7-33 Trinity
Day 2 Pool Final Standings:
| Pos | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| 1 | Eton College | Rugby | Whitgift | St Ambrose College |
| 2 | St Paul’s | Sedbergh | Warwick | St John’s Leatherhead |
| 3 | Clifton College | QEGS Wakefield | George Watson’s College | Oundle |
| Pos | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
| 1 | Harrow | Wellington College | King’s Macclesfield | Trinity |
| 2 | Bedford Modern | King’s College, Taunton | Stamford | Millfield |
| 3 | Kirkham Grammar | Stowe | Trent College | St Peter’s, Gloucester |
U18 Cup
The U18 Cup got off to an absolute flyer on Thursday with some absolutely stunning performances throughout the day as some of the biggest names in all of schoolboy rugby flexed their muscles, while a number of others found themselves looking from the outside in as the tournament moves towards Day 2, such is the intensity of the competition. Only the top side in each group plus the best two runners up made the Cup quarter finals, the remaining eight runners up heading to the Plate quarters.
Reigning champions Sedbergh were utterly rampant, storming to the top of Group A and conceding just five points along the way, it was a performance of utter dominance from the men in Brown, sending them to the Quarter Finals.
Alongside them in Group 1 in tomorrow’s quarter finals are Barnard Castle and Cranleigh, who got through by the closest of margins. Barnard Castle lost out to Llandovery College in Group B, but a defeat for Llandovery saw Barnard Castle through on points difference. Things were even closer for former champions Cranleigh, who drew with giants Kirkham Grammar School, but still got through on points difference.
Kirkham Grammar School’s campaign was not done though, they qualified for tomorrow’s Cup quarter final groups thanks to that superior points total, heading to quarter final Group 2, where they will face a Bedford side that went through the day unbeaten, and Millfield School, the most successful ever side here at Rosslyn Park and a side that were looking utterly formidable.
Group 3 sees Wellington College, who had quietly gone about their business through the day on their way to an unbeaten topping of Pool F. Joining them in a terrifically tough quarter final pool are two sides they know well, Whitgift and ACE side Bishop Wand, both of whom also went through their pools unbeaten in seriously impressive fashion.
The final Cup quarter final group sees Hampton in Group 4, who provided one of the stories of the day as they won an absolute epic against Surrey 7s champions Brighton College. That helped Hampton claim top spot in the group and relegated the Surrey champions to the Plate, not something that many would have predicted pre tournament. What many would not have predicted pre-Covid was that Ipswich would be here in the Cup quarter final Pools, but here they are. The fastest rising team in the country performed brilliantly to top Group J unbeaten, ahead of the likes of Hartpury College. Joining those two are the second of the best two runners-up, Clfton College, who finished behind Wellington College in Group F but put in some epic displays – definitely do not count them out.
It is sure to be a classic of a competition on Friday, the four quarter final pool winners will head to the semi finals, getting there is going to be oh so tough though, this competition is so intense, so tough, and of such a high quality.
Anyone could win it, and in the sunshine at the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s, what more could anyone ask for.
Over in the Plate the remaining second placed sides compete across two pools, with the top two in each heading to the semi finals.
St Benedict’s, who looked really strong in Millfield’s Pool, are in Group 1 alongside Myerscough College, Coleg Sir Gar, and Hartpury College, a formidable quartet if ever there was one. Group 2 meanwhile sees the Surrey 7s champions Brighton College against Llandovery College, who really were close to Cup qualification, as well as two other powerhouses in Woodhouse Grove and Rugby – winning that Plate competition is going to take just about as much hard graft as the main Cup.
You can check out the schedule for tomorrow’s action and the live streams links by following this link: Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s – Day 5 Preview.
Cup Quarter Final Pools:
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 |
| Sedbergh | Bedford | Wellington College | Hampton |
| Barnard Castle | Millfield | Whitgift | Ipswich |
| Cranleigh | Kirkham Grammar | Bishop Wand | Clifton College |
Plate Quarter Final Pools:
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
| St Benedict’s | Brighton College |
| Myerscough College | Woodhouse Grove |
| Coleg Sir Gar | Rugby |
| Hartpury College | Llandovery College |
Final Group Standings:
| Pos | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E |
| 1 | Sedbergh | Barnard Castle | Cranleigh | Bedford | Millfield |
| 2 | Rugby | Llandovery College | Kirkham Grammar | Myerscough College | St Benedict’s |
| 3 | Stourport High | Glantaf | John Fisher | Newport High | Coleg Llandrillo |
| 4 | Harrogate Grammar | Beechen Cliff | Oaklands College | Sherborne | Ivybridge |
| 5 | Neath Port Talbot | Hurstpierpoint College | Coleg Gwent | Bishop Burton College | St Ambrose College |
| Pos | Group F | Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J |
| 1 | Wellington College | Whitgift | Bishop Wand | Hampton | Ipswich |
| 2 | Clifton College | Woodhouse Grove | Coleg Sir Gar | Brighton College | Hartpury College |
| 3 | Eton College | Denstone College | Harrow | Ystalyfera | Samuel Whitbread |
| 4 | St John’s, Leatherhead | City of Oxford College | St Joseph’s College | Exeter College | Dulwich College |
| 5 | Bishop Stopford | Cobham International | Cardiff & Vale College | Henley College | Warwick |
U14 Cup
Day 4 of the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s also meant the U14 Cup where an impressive tournament began to take shape across the various grounds here at the Rosslyn Park 7s.
The job of the day was ultimately to whittle down the staggering 210 teams to a mere 21 for tomorrow’s Day 2 Pools, and what a day it was in getting there as we saw some sensational rugby being played.
Over 42 groups the winning teams emerged and were sent to the all important elimination round. Harrow were the defending champions, and topped their group, but in the elimination round they faced a rampant Rhydywaun side, who beat them 35-10 to head to the Day 2 Groups, where they will be in Group A alongside Trinity and Hurstpierpoint College. Trinity were brilliant, flying to the top of their pool and then beating St Ambrose College by a stunning 50-0 margin, while Hurstpierpoint College were 21-7 victors over Newbridge.
Group B will see Hampton, George Watson’s College, and St Paul’s all together, Hampton saw off St Peter’s York in a cracker, 21-14, while George Watson’s beat Haileybury 35-7, and St Paul’s won 12-5 against visitors Dubai College.
Group C includes Brighton College, who won a good game with St Benedict’s 19-12, while Ellesmere College will join them after winning a thriller against Uppingham, 33-26. Dean Close complete the group after their 33-12 defeat of QEH.
Over in Group D Ipswich impress at move than one level, they are there after a 31-12 defeat of RGS Worcester and will be joined by Clifton College, after their 33-22 defeat f Eton College, and Wellington College, who look seriously impressive – a stunning 50-7 eliminator against Woodhouse Grove took them here.
Group E sees Warwick in there after their 33-14 defeat of Glantaf, while Reigate Grammar are through after a tight 22-21 defeat of Berkhamsted, but look out for Sedbergh, 48-14 in their eliminator against Bromsgrove.
Blundell’s impressed in reaching Group F on Day 2, a 47-14 victory over Barnard Castle in their eliminator really stood out, and they are joined by Oakham, who beat Garth Olwg 38-14, King’s Worcester complete the group, they beat The Crypt with a cracking performance, 39-0.
The final Day 2 group in the U14 Cup is Group G, which features Westcliff High, who defeated Bishop’s Stortford High 31-12, Radley College join them, a 38-12 victory over Haverfordwest helping them along, and Whitchurch High School complete the group after their 19-10 defeat of Ystalyfera.
The losers of the elimination round head to equivalent Plate groups, and both competitions follow the same format, with the Day 2 group winners, plus the best runners up, heading to the Quarter Finals.
You can check out the schedule for tomorrow’s action and the live streams links by following this link: Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s – Day 5 Preview.
Cup Day 2 Pools
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| Trinity | Hampton | Ellesmere College | Ipswich |
| Hurstpierpoint College | George Watson’s College | Brighton College | Wellington College |
| Rhydywaun | St Paul’s | Dean Close | Clifton College |
| Group E | Group F | Group G |
| Reigate Grammar | King’s Worcester | Westcliff High |
| Warwick | Blundell’s | Radley College |
| Sedbergh | Oakham | Whitchurch High |
Plate Day 2 Pools
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| St Ambrose College | Dubai Colleg | St Benedict’s | Eton College |
| Harrow | Haileybury | QEH | RGS Worcester |
| Newbridge | St Peter’s, York | Uppingham | Woodhouse Grove |
| Group E | Group F | Group G |
| Berkhamsted | The Crypt | Bishop’s Stortford HS |
| Bromsgrove | Barnard Castle | Haverfordwest |
| Glantaf | Garth Olwg | Ystalyfera |
Elimination round:
Harrow 10-35 Rhydywaun
Hurstpierpoint College 21-7 Newbridge
Trinity 50-0 St Ambrose College
George Watson’s College 35-7 Haileybury
St Paul’s 12-5 Dubai College
St Peter’s York 14-21 Hampton
Dean Close 33-12 QEH
Brighton College 19-12 St Benedict’s
Uppingham 26-33 Ellesmere College
Eton College 22-33 Clifton College
Wellington College 50-7 Woodhouse Grove
Ipswich 31-12 RGS Worcester
Warwick 33-14 Glantaf
Sedbergh 48-14 Bromsgrove
Berkhamsted 21-22 Reigate Grammar
Oakham 38-14 Garth Olwg
The Crypt 0-39 King’s Worcester
Blundell’s 47-14 Barnard Castle
Bishop’s Stortford High 12-31 Westcliff High
Radley College 38-12 Haverfordwest
Ystalyfera 10-19 Whitchurch High
Final Day 1 Group Standings:
| Pos | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| 1 | Harrow | Rhydywaun | Hurstpierpoint College | Newbridge |
| 2 | Magdalen College | KCS Wimbledon | RGS Guildford | Worth |
| 3 | Cathedral School, Llandaff | Cheltenham College | KES Bath | Shebbear College |
| 4 | King’s Ely | RGS Colchester | Ampleforth College | Ibstock Place |
| Pos | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
| 1 | Trinity | St Ambrose College | George Watson’s College | Haileybury |
| 2 | King’s Macclesfield | Whitgift | Grey Court | Marlborough College |
| 3 | Stanwell | King’s Canterbury | Waterloo Schools | Caer Elen |
| 4 | Birkdale | Devonport High | Framlingham College | Downside |
| Pos | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L |
| 1 | St Paul’s | Dubai College | St Peter’s, York | Hampton |
| 2 | KES Birmingham | LLangatwg | Epsom College | QEGS Wakefield |
| 3 | Welland Park Academy | Portsmouth Grammar | Norwich | St Anselm’s College |
| 4 | Scarisbrick Hall | Woodlands | QES Barnet | Gordon’s |
| Pos | Group M | Group N | Group O | Group P |
| 1 | Dean Cloe | QEH | Brighton College | St Benedict’s |
| 2 | Windsor Boys’ | Rugby | Tonbridge | The Leys |
| 3 | Stowe | Cwm Rhymni | London Oratory | RGS Newcastle |
| 4 | Yarm | Birkenhead | Bryanston | Greenhill |
| Pos | Group Q | Group R | Group S | Group T |
| 1 | Uppingham | Ellesmere College | Eton College | Clifton College |
| 2 | Bedford | The Oratory | Mill Hill | Campion |
| 3 | Wimbledon College | Hymers College | Eltham College | Oundle |
| 4 | Coopers’ Coborn | Bedford Modern | Mount Kelly | Pangbourne College |
| Pos | Group U | Group V | Group W | Group X |
| 1 | Wellington College | Woodhouse Grove | Ipswich | RGS Worcester |
| 2 | Rodillian Academy | Simon Langton Grammar | Prince Henry’s Grammar | Ivybridge |
| 3 | Cedars | Weydon | Caterham | Pocklington |
| 4 | Bristol Grammar | Malvern College | Wycliffe College | Birkdale |
| Pos | Group Y | Group Z | Group AA | Group BB |
| 1 | Warwick | Glantaf | Sedbergh | Bromsgrove |
| 2 | Richard Challoner | Churcher’s College | King’s College, Taunton | Seaford College |
| 3 | Uffculme | Shrewsbury | Gresham’s | Dollar Academy |
| 4 | Wirral Grammar | Northampton School for Boys | Wallington County Grammar | Wellingborough |
| Pos | Group CC | Group DD | Group EE | Group FF |
| 1 | Berkhamsted | Reigate Grammar | Oakham | Garth Olwg |
| 2 | Emanuel | Dulwich College | Stockport Grammar | St John’s, Leatherhead |
| 3 | Royal Hospital School | Sherborne | Bradford Grammar | St Joseph’s College |
| 4 | St Edward’s, Oxford | Manchester Grammar | Durham | Hereford Cathedral |
| Pos | Group GG | Group HH | Group II | Group JJ |
| 1 | The Crypt | King’s Worcester | Blundell’s | Barnard Castle |
| 2 | Colston’s | John Fisher | Prior Park College | Dunottar |
| 3 | Stamford | Solihull | King’s Gloucester | Embley |
| 4 | Fulham Boys | Wisbech Grammar | Reddam House | Aldwickbury |
| Pos | Group KK | Group LL | Group MM | Group NN |
| 1 | Bishop’s Stortford High | Westcliff High | Radley College | Haverfordwest |
| 2 | Gunnersbury | Gravesend Grammar | Dyffryn Aman | Brynteg |
| 3 | Bro Edern | Sevenoaks | Lutterworth | Leicester Grammar |
| 4 | Sutton Valence | Queen’s College, Taunton | Denstone College | West Monmouth |
| Pos | Group OO | Group PP |
| 1 | Bro Dur | Whitchurch High |
| 2 | Millfield | Mount St Mary’s College |
| 3 | Taunton | Kingsdale |
| 4 | Cardinal Newman | Hill House |
