Ipswich School claimed the Seaford Southern Tens title after a fantastic day of rugby and some wonderful, hard-fought, performances.

Fifteen teams gathered at Seaford College on what was a glorious January day, with the sunshine and temperatures making it truly feel like the beginning of the short-format season.

From the outset it was clear that this was going to be a competition that would take some serious performances and some real grit in order to triumph. In every group sides were making big cases throughout the morning to be in the conversation for potential champions.

Trinity were gunning for three in a row and came within a whisker of Cup action from Group 3, however RGS High Wycombe, who deserve praise beyond measure this season, pipped them by a try to take top spot in the group.

The hosts, Seaford College, were off to a flyer with impressive early performances. But the group decider in Group 1 was to be against Marlborough College, who had started just as well. Bursting with confidence though, Seaford sealed a 17-7 victory to storm into the Cup knockouts, leaving Marlborough College in the Plate and looking dangerous.

Group 2 was a three team group, which instantaneously placed an even greater weight on each game. Rising highest to the challenge were Dulwich College, who had a challenging fifteen-a-side season but arrived here and sent a message to the watching schools rugby public, topping a group that included perennial heavyweights at the Seaford 10s, Christ College Brecon, and a Hurstpierpoint College side that has enjoyed one of the greatest seasons in their history. Dulwich more than made their mark.

Group 4 had meanwhile been labelled the group of death and boy did it live up to the hype, with Felsted, Gordon’s, Epsom College, and eventual champions Ipswich all making this one unpredictable. Ipswich topped it, a dogged 14-10 victory over Epsom College proving key, but they had to scrap right the way through including a late score for a crucial victory over Gordon’s. In the end three of the four trophies on offer would be won by sides from this group.

The most significant of those was of course the Cup, and what a competition that proved to be. Both semi finals were epics. RGS High Wycombe took the lead against Seaford College and built it out to 14-0, but down to 8 men after two yellow cards and with time on the clock they had to did deep. Deep they dug though, wearing down the clock so that when they did eventually crack, there was no time for more from Seaford College, who had been sensational all day, to come back, finishing 14-5.

On the other side for a long time Dulwich College looked like they might stun Ipswich, who had reached last year’s final and were eager to go one better. The South East London side led 5-0 but a stunning try under the sticks from Connor Holdcroft, which would go on to win Try of the Tournament, took Ipswich 7-5 ahead. Once in front, this superb Suffolk side was not about to look back and they added another for a 14-5 victory to set up a second final on the bounce.

The final saw two sides that each had amazing stories behind them, and great performances too, Ipswich were looking to add silverware to what had already been the greatest season in their history, while RGS High Wycombe were looking to go one better than earlier in the season when they reached the St Joseph’s Festival final only to miss out on the title to a magnificent late drop goal from Kirkham Grammar School’s Ollie Davies.

It was to be heartbreak again though for this young RGS High Wycombe side as Ipswich dug right into the depths of their abilities, working harder and harder to try and create the edge. RGS had taken an early lead, but Ipswich struck back through some wizardry from Holdcroft and Edoardo Todaro to level the game at 7-7. It would stay that way until half time, despite a siege from RGS on the Ipswich line. The second half was beyond tense, both sides giving every inch of themselves to the cause, until Todaro, the Ipswich School sensation, reached out for the line with just three and a half minutes remaining – a finish of pure guts.

It gave Ipswich a 12-7 lead, a lead that they would hold onto to the end to claim the title, a year on after heartbreak in the final. After their efforts this season to date it was no less than they deserved, and a real sign of the character of this side to come through in what was their first major outing since that tough defeat to Harrow before Christmas in the Cup. They dealt with that defeat magnificently and on Sunday they demonstrated it, showing a real edge to their game to claim a wonderful title.

RGS High Wycombe deserve endless praise too though, this young group has reached the final of the two biggest tournaments of the season to date. They have been wonderful all year, and their time will surely come in the weeks ahead, and it was no surprise to see Lucas Norton, their brilliant scrum half, claim the Player of the Tournament award.

Elsewhere, Marlborough College claimed the Plate in dramatic fashion ahead of Epsom College. Marlborough had beaten reigning Cup champions Trinity in their semi final, while Epsom had seen off 2022 finalists Christ College. The two could barely be separated in the final, finishing up level at 14-14 to head into extra time – and golden point.

Marlborough College had the wind behind them, a key advantage given its strength, and they used it to keep the pressure on and to score the try that earned them the Plate title after a magnificent day’s play from both.

Over in the Vase it was Group 4 that was at it again, Gordon’s beating Hurstpierpoint College in the semis in stunning fashion before beat Canford, who had beaten Solihull, 14-7 in the final to claim the silverware. Group 4 also claimed the Bowl, Felsted winning a round robin style competition ahead of St Benedict’s and Bishop Wordsworth’s to return to Essex with the silverware.

In the end though the day was all about that wonderful Cup final, the performances of RGS High Wycombe, and the outstanding Ipswich School. A stunning achievement to return back to Suffolk with one of the most prestigious prizes in the school game.

Champions – Ipswich

Cup Final: Ipswich 12-7 RGS High Wycombe

Semi Finals: RGS High Wycombe 14-5 Seaford College, Ipswich 14-5 Dulwich College

Plate Final: Marlborough College 19-14 Epsom College

Semi Finals: Marlborough College 21-10 Trinity, Epsom College 36-7 Christ College

Vase Final: Gordon’s 14-7 Canford

Semi Finals: Canford 17-7 Solihull, Gordon’s 40-0 Hurstpierpoint College

Bowl Round Robin: Felsted

Final Group Standings