Sedbergh claimed the Will Welch Cup on Friday night as RGS Newcastle hosted an eight-team tournament at the University of Newcastle.

Sedbergh were nigh on unstoppable on the night, conceding just fourteen points all tournament and scoring a stunning 176. All of that despite missing enough players to construct a whole other 7s side due to Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League action.

Harrogate Grammar School were their closest challengers, the Yorkshire side have been on the rise for a few years now and are a real presence on the circuit. They were the only side to score against Sedbergh, going down 33-7 in their pool and before meeting them again in the final, where they peformed well for a closer 21-7 defeat, having shown their quality in defeating Newcastle Falcons’ ACE side, Gosforth Academy, 26-19 in the semi finals.

Gosforth had topped the other pool ahead of Dame Allan’s, who went down 28-0 to Sedbergh in their semi final.

Indeed it was Group A that was to prove dominant all night, proving both Cup finalists and both Plate finalists as hosts RGS Newcastle met Newcastle School for Boys in that final, having beated St Peter’s York and Barnard Castle respectively in the semi finals. RGS claimed the Plate silverware, winning a cracking final 21-14.

Ultimately though, it was Sedbergh that were rightly the talk of the town. An utterly dominant display despite so many important players being absent. With the North of England School 7s and the Rosslyn Park National School 7s both on the horizon, they have laid down an early marker.

Will Welch Cup Champions – Sedbergh

Final: Sedbergh 21-7 Harrogate Grammar

Semi Finals: Sedbergh 28-0 Dame Allan’s, Harrogate Grammar 26-19 Gosforth Academy

Plate Winners – RGS Newcastle

Final: RGS Newcastle 21-14 Newcastle School for Boys

Semi Finals: RGS Newcastle 24-12 St Peter’s York, Newcastle School for Boys 26-14 Barnard Castle

Final Group Standings: