Millfield claimed the 2023 South Coast 7s tournament at Portsmouth Grammar School on Sunday, the first major 7s tournament of the season.

They beat reigning champions Brighton College 19-15 after a stunning day’s play that had seen them lose to both Epsom College and Brighton College in the Group Stage and yet come storming back to beat both in the knockouts.

The tournament was, in effect, two tournaments – a Cup competition and a Shield competition, with the Groups for each drawn separately, with two groups of four in the Cup and two groups of four in the Shield.

Cup

Epsom College had topped group 1 on what was to prove ultimately a tragic day for all at the school. Our thoughts are with the entire Epsom College community.

On the field they had beaten Brighton College, Millfield, and Canford, to pit them in a quarter final against Seaford College, who had finished fourth in Group 2. That group had been headed by Marlborough College, who started the day absolutely brilliantly to finish up ahead of Bishop Wordsworth’s, Whitchurch High, and Seaford.

Marlborough’s quarter final was therefore against Canford, while Millfield faced Bishop Wordsworth’s and Brighton College took on Whitchurch High.

Brighton were sensational in their quarter final, winning 43-14 to set up a semi final against Marlborough College, which they again impressed in for a 35-14 victory.

On the other side Millfield and Epsom College would meet after both had strong quarter finals. Millfield would turn around the result from the group stage though to win a tight one 12-5 to set up a fantastic final against Brighton College.

All four semi finalists are going to be key sides to look out for on the 7s circuit this year.

The defeated quarter finalists went through to the Plate, while saw Canford claim the silverware with a 12-7 victory over Bishop Wordsworth’s.

Champions – Millfield

Cup Results

Final: Millfield 19-15 Brighton College

Semi Finals: Millfield 12-5 Epsom College, Brighton College 35-14 Marlborough College

Quarter Finals: Epsom College 38-5 Seaford College, Millfield 31-12 Bishop Wordsworth’s, Brighton College 43-14 Whitchurch High, Marlborough College 35-22 Canford

Plate Final: Canford 12-7 Bishop Wordsworth’s

Semi Finals: Bishop Wordsworth’s 26-17 Seaford College, Canford 40-7 Whitchurch High

Cup Groups Final Standings

Shield

The Shield saw Bryanston claim the honour after topping a tricky Group 2 ahead of Gordon’s, RGS Guildford, and Sherborne. It sent them to a quarter final against Royal Hospital, who had finished being hosts Portsmouth Grammar, Dauntsey’s, and eventual finalists Wimbledon College in Group 1.

Wimbledon College therefore took on Sherborne in the quarters, while Dauntsey’s met RGS Guildford and Portsmouth Grammar took on Gordon’s.

Bryanston were brilliant against RHS, winning 36-5 to set up a semi final with the superb RGS Guildford, who had won 40-7. Wimbledon College meanwhile won a thriller against Sherborne and would fact Gordon’s, who had narrowly beaten the hosts.

The semi finals were both tight affairs, Bryanston and Wimbledon College winning by just two points each to set up the final, where Bryanston found the momentum for a 26-10 victory.

As in the Cup, the losing quarter finalists still had games to play as they headed to the Bowl, where the hosts had plenty to shout about after impressive performances against Sherborne and Royal Hospital saw them claim the silverware.

Champions – Bryanston

Shield Results

Final: Bryanston 26-10 Wimbledon College

Semi Finals: Bryanston 24-22 RGS Guildford, Wimbledon College 19-17 Gordon’s

Quarter Finals: Bryanston 36-5 Royal Hospital School, RGS Guildford 40-7 Dauntsey’s, Gordon’s 24-17 Portsmouth Grammar, Wimbledon College 27-22 Sherborne

Bowl Final: Portsmouth Grammar 31-14 Royal Hospital School

Semi Finals: Portsmouth Grammar 19-12 Sherborne, Royal Hospital 31-7 Dauntsey’s

Shield Groups Final Standings