Cranleigh made it back to back titles at the Hampton School Founders’ Day 7s with a superb day’s efforts in Wednesday’s tournament.
It was a seventh Hampton 7s final on the bounce for Cranleigh and a fourth Hampton 7s title since 2012 as they defeated the hosts 26-12 in the final.
It was a familiar looking final as well, the fifth time that these two have met in this final since 2016. Hampton were leading the head to head in these finals 3-1 but Cranleigh have now narrowed it to 3-1.
It was a slow start to the day for Cranleigh, who opened with a 10-7 defeat to London Irish ACE side Bishop Wand and edged to a 22-19 victory over Millfield. After that though they exploded into live with strong victories over Gordon’s and St Benedict’s to send them to the top of the table ahead of Gordon’s thanks to their try scoring exploits, and therefore a place in the final.
It had been a sensational Group overall, St Benedict’s won a thriller against Millfield, 29-26, while Bishop Wand and Millfield drew 31-31, close barley does the group justice.
Group 1 had some tight affairs too, not least the final game of the group that saw Hurstpierpoint College and Ipswich draw 26-26. Surprisingly that was Ipswich’s best result of the day, having reached last year’s final, though they pushed Hampton incredibly close in the opener as the hosts clinched a 28-24 victory.
That set the ball rolling for this strong Hampton side, and their key game as the group took shape looked to be against Epsom College, who were looking strong. Hampton were up to the task though, taking a 26-12 victory to send them into the final, Epsom meanwhile finished second in the group and therefore went to the Plate final.
Up against them in the Plate final were Gordon’s, but after such an energy-sapping group Gordon’s were up against it and this top quality Epsom College side were quick to pounce, racing to a 49-5 victory and their first silverware here at the Hampton 7s.
The Cup final then was that familiar Hampton v Cranleigh tale and the two put on a fine show. For the second year running though, Cranleigh were the class of the field and this side that has somehow almost crept under the radar this year suddenly were making a big statement, a crucial piece of silverware at the start of a run that is soon going to take in the Edwin Doran Surrey Schools Senior 7s and the Rosslyn Park National School 7s, tournaments that this school has plenty of experience in competing right at the sharp end.
School 7s season is ramping up!
Hampton School Founders’ Day 7s Champions – Cranleigh
Cup Final: Cranleigh 26-12 Hampton
Plate Winners – Epsom College
Plate Final: Epsom College 49-5 Gordon’s
Final Group Standings
Group 1
| Pos | Team | W | D | L | Points |
| 1 | Hampton | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2 | Epsom College | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 3 | Hurstpierpoint College | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | John Fisher | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | Ipswich | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Group 2
| Pos | Team | W | D | L | Points |
| 1 | Cranleigh | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | Gordon’s | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 3 | St Benedict’s | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 4 | Bishop Wand | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 5 | Millfield | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Previous Finals:
Cup
2022 Cranleigh 28-21 Ipswich
2021 N/A
2020 Hampton 31-12 Cranleigh
2019 Cranleigh 27-14 Hampton
2018 Brighton College 40-5 Cranleigh
2017 Hampton 19-10 Cranleigh
2016 Hampton 24-19 Cranleigh
2015 John Fisher 15-14 Hampton
2014 Brighton College 21-17 Whitgift
2013 Whitgift 19-17 Hampton
2012 Cranleigh 33-14 Whitgift
Plate
2022 Hampton 29-26 Bishop Wand
2021 N/A
2020 St John’s, Leatherhead 32-7 St Paul’s Catholic College
2019 St John’s, Leatherhead 31-19 RGS High Wycombe
2018 Hampton 31-10 St Paul’s Catholic College
2017 Brighton College 26-24 St Paul’s Catholic College
2016 John Fisher 31-7 St Benedict’s
2015 Brighton College 12-0 St Paul’s
2014 John Fisher 26-12 Hampton
2013 Cranleigh 28-7 Campion
2012 Hampton 45-12 Campion
