Millfield claimed made it back to back 7s titles as they claimed Wednesday’s Edwin Doran Surrey Schools Senior 7s title to back up last week’s Ipswich Floodlit 7s victory.

The Somerset side are the most successful in Surrey 7s history but had not lifted the trophy in a decade prior to today’s outstanding demonstration of 7s, that they did so in the absence of some star internationals as well only made it all the more impressive.

They did it the hard way too, beating Dulwich College, Whitgift, Wellington College, and then Cranleigh in the knockout rounds, schools rugby legends all. It was, at time, a masterclass of the short-form version of the game, particularly as they day wore on. Dulwich College pushed them hard in the group and then in a repeat fixture in the last 16 before Whitgift, who were excellent all day, came within a whisker in the quarter finals.

However by the semi finals stage Millfield were in the sort of mood, and playing the sort of style, that has made them historically the most successful side at just about any tournament that they enter. They beat Wellington College 27-7 in the semi final, a Wellington College side that had breezed through their pool before winning tight games over 2019 and 2020 champions Epsom College and an RGS Guildford side that need to be kept an eye on at Rosslyn Park – they look good. Millfield had clicked into gear though and were not about to slow down, the likes of Charles Heffron, Ben Morrow, and Owen Erasmus were looking superb as they booked their place in the final.

Cranleigh on the other side of the draw were turning heads. They had actually qualified as one of the best runners up after a late defeat to Beechen Cliff in their group, but through the knockout rounds they were flying, beating Blundell’s in the last 16 before earning their revenge over Beechen Cliff in the quarters, before their crowning performance, a 29-0 victory in the semi finals over an Eton College side that had knocked out a very strong Brighton College side.

In the final though, there was little that Cranleigh could do in the face of what was utter precision from Millfield, who perhaps had a bit of a point to prove as well after Cranleigh had won the final of the Hampton School Founders’ Day 7s against them a couple of weeks ago.

Millfield skipper Morgan Williams and fellow scrum half Elis James were buzzing, but it was flying wing Zach Weightman-Dauda that grabbed the headlines with a stunning performance that was a real point of difference between the sides. His pace earned him a couple of scores, but his ability to close space, and to stay on his feet was just as important as his team sealed a remarkable 28-12 victory that simply never felt in doubt.

These tournaments are rarely about the individual though, ultimately it is about the collective and that was the case today as Millfield played a brand of 7s for which they are renowned. Calm, patient, and clinical. Their ability to move the point of attack, to keep the ball moving and to add relentless depth was, and is, outstanding. In the end as bodies tired at what is one of the hardest and longest days on the 7s calendar, that patient play, putting miles into the defence’s legs, was the difference between them and the rest.

Without question they now lay down a huge marker for the Howden Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s, back to back titles and titles won among the most challenging of fields is a huge statement with two weeks to go ahead of the U18 Cup kick off.

Others made statements too though, Whitgift gave Millfield an almighty challenge, Eton College were strong, Brighton College too, Beechen Cliff added to the theory that ACE Colleges might give the Nationals a greater crack this year, while RGS Guildford look capable of magic. Cranleigh too were outstanding, running out of steam at the end of a relentless day perhaps, but definitely capable of challenging at Rosslyn Park.

Eleven sides went through their groups unbeaten, including among those not mentioned Bishop Wand, a thrilling St Edward’s Oxford side, Blundell’s, and a Hampton side that put in one of their best 7s displays of the season. Rugby meanwhile drew with St George’s Weybridge, but look a side that will pose an entirely different challenge to many other sides.

Over in the Surrey Plate St Paul’s triumphed, they had finished second in Pool L behind Blundell’s but ahead of Reed’s, and it would be Reed’s that they would meet in the final after Reed’s had defeat Caterham and then old rivals St George’s in an epic Plate semi final, while St Paul’s had a couple of crackers themselves against Trinity and City of London Freemen’s. In the final though, St Paul’s were sensational, putting in a display worthy of the silverware to secure a 33-12 victory and the Surrey Plate title.

That will fill them with confidence ahead of the challenges to come, no doubt, and plenty will have come away feeling that they are on the right track. None more so though than Millfield, who simply added to the legend.

An exciting couple of weeks lies ahead!

Edwin Doran Surrey Schools Senior 7s Results:

Edwin Doran Surrey Schools Senior 7s Champions: Millfield

Cup Final: Millfield 28-12 Cranleigh

Semi Finals: Wellington College 7-27 Millfield, Eton College 0-29 Cranleigh

Quarter Finals: Wellington College 27-22 RGS Guildford, Whitgift 26-28 Millfield, Brighton College 14-19 Eton College, Beechen Cliff 12-27 Cranleigh

Last 16: Wellington College 17-12 Epsom College, RGS Guildford 31-26 Bishop Wand, Whitgift 21-7 Hampton, Millfield 33-21 Dulwich College, Brighton College 17-12 Gordon’s, Eton College 45-17 St Edward’s Oxford, Rugby 12-24 Beechen Cliff, Blundell’s 7-24 Cranleigh

Surrey Plate Champions: St Paul’s

Plate Final: Reed’s 12-33 St Paul’s

Semi Finals: Reed’s 36-31 St George’s Weybridge, City of London Freemen’s 21-26 St Paul’s

Quarter Finals: Caterham 12-26 Reed’s, St George’s Weybridge 17-12 Tiffin, KCS Wimbledon 26-33 City of London Freemen’s, St Paul’s 21-17 Trinity

Edwin Doran Surrey Schools Senior 7s Final Group Standings:

Unbeaten: Welly, RGSG, Bish Wand, Whitgift, Hampton, Millfield, Brighton, Eton, Teddies, Beechen, Blundell’s

Not: Rugby (drew with St George’s)