The 2024 Reed’s 7s takes place this Sunday, with U18s, U16s, and U15s competitions taking place at the Surrey School.
The U18 tournament may have shrunk since pre-covid times, but what has now come together is a perfect first toe back in the water for these schools after half term, ahead of the intense March 7s schedule.
All three competitions will be simple round-robin groups, with the winners of each of those groups the champions in their respective age categories.
Reed’s 7s U18 Draw: Epsom College, Reed’s, St John’s Leatherhead, The Oratory, Tonbridge
The U18s looks incredibly strong, and contains an Epsom College side that has won the last two Reed’s 7s competitions, in 2022 when there was a knockout element, they beat Framlingham College 43-0 in the final to seal the title, then last year they went through all the games unbeaten to claim the spoils.
This year they will face stiff competition, not least from Tonbridge, who had a strong fifteen-a-side season and should have a good 7s squad too. The Oratory also enjoyed a strong 15s season and will be looking to make a mark as well, meanwhile St John’s Leatherhead will be coming straight from Wednesday’s Hampton School Founders’ Day 7s, so will have a good amount of practice behind them. Hosts Reed’s, meanwhile, will be hugely motivated. They have never claimed the major silverware at their home tournament and would love to change that this year.
U16s: Bloxham, Felsted, Reed’s, The Oratory, Worth
Both hosts Reed’s and The Oratory enter teams in the U16s as well as the U18s, and The Oratory will be feeling particularly confident after their stunning triumph at the Gordon’s School U16 Invitational 7s before half term. Joining those two are strong sides in Worth and Bloxham, plus Felsted, who have such a rich history in this competition at U18 level and will now look to replicate that at U16 level.
U15s: Cranmore, Epsom College, Felsted, Reed’s, St John’s Leatherhead
In the U15s tournament Cranmore are the only side without a team playing in either the U16s or U18s as well, so will be eager to make their mark. Reed’s meanwhile as the hosts are the only team with a side in all three competitions. Epsom College and St John’s Leatherhead would both love to go away with happy U15s and U18s, similarly Felsted with their U16s and U15s.
