Wednesday sees the annual Hampton School Founders’ Day 7s take place, one of the key early tournament of the season.
Ten teams are involved, nine of which competed in last year’s competition, the only change sees St John’s Leatherhead join the party in place of Bishop Wand.
As always, it is an incredibly strong field but the challenge for all is a simple one; can they break Cranleigh’s stranglehold on the competition? Cranleigh have featured in the last seven finals in a row, winning three of them, including the past two in a row, to add to a previous title in 2012. The hat-trick would add to what is already an incredible achievement, spanning multiple teams.
Last year it was a terrific performance in the final that earned them a 26-12 victory over Hampton, a game that has been the final of this competition five times since its inception in 2012, with Hampton leading the head to head 3-2. Indeed only once has one or the other of these sides not featured in the final, 2014, when Brighton College just edged out Whitgift, neither of whom feature nowadays.
Those that do feature though are heavyweight indeed, Ipswich, finalists in 2022 in an epic against Cranleigh and winners already this season of the Seaford Southern 10s and the Hurstpierpoint 7s. Millfield, the schools rugby legends, whose reputation is a possibly even more fearsome on the 7s field. Epsom College, who won last year’s Plate and who are one of the great school 7s outfits. Similarly Hurstpierpoint College, who have the potential for brilliance, likewise ACE side Gordon’s, 2015 champions John Fisher, the ever dangerous St Benedict’s, and the newly reinstated St John’s Leatherhead, back to back Plate winners in 2018 and 2019.
It is worth noting as well, given the quality of the field, just what an achievement winning the Plate is. The ten teams are divided into two groups of five teams each, and the group winners progress straight to the Cup final, that means that the Plate is always a high quality affair, featuring the two pool runners up.
Hampton are drawn in Group 1 as hosts, alongside Hurstpierpoint College, John Fisher, St John’s Leatherhead, and Millfield. A challenging group for all, without question. Group 2 is fearsome as well, featuring the Champions, Cranleigh, alongside Gordon’s, Ipswich, St Benedict’s, and the Plate champions Epsom College.
There may be many bridges to cross between Wednesday and the likes of the Edwin Doran Surrey Schools Senior 7s and the Rosslyn Park National School 7s, but Wednesday afternoon’s Hampton School Founders’ Day 7s will teach us a lot about who to keep an eye on as we start to cross those bridges.
Hampton School Founders’ Day 7s Draw:
Group 1
Hampton
Hurstpierpoint College
John Fisher
Millfield
St John’s, Leatherhead
Group 2
Cranleigh
Epsom College
Gordon’s
Ipswich
St Benedict’s
Previous Finals:
Cup
2023 Cranleigh 26-12 Hampton
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
2023 Epsom College 49-5 Gordon’s
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
