Bedford School won all six of their games at the John Pieroni U15 Sevens, hosted by Wimbledon College, finishing with a 29-12 win over Whitgift School U15s in the Trophy final.
John Pieroni, ex-head boy and captain of Wimbledon College’s 1st XV rugby, died in March 1983 while undergoing a minor eye operation at Kingston Hospital. Since then, a rugby tournament in his honour has become one of the leading U15 Sevens tournaments in the South of England, attracting leading school sides from across the region. With the 2024 tournament having had to be cancelled due to ground conditions it was great to see a strong group of schools sides gathering to benefit from the dry pitches at Coombe Lane.
The three sets of group matches being played on the main Wimbledon College pitches saw the likely group winners emerge quite early, with Whitgift recording three convincing wins in Group 1 against Berkhamsted, London Oratory and Hampton. Although they suffered a reversal in their final group game to local rivals John Fisher they still progressed to the Trophy semi-finals having topped the group thanks to their head-to-head win over Berkhamsted who thus qualified for the Plate semi-finals. The third place in the group – and thus qualification for the Shield semi-finals – went to Hampton, thanks to their head-to-head win against Fisher and despite Fisher’s superior points difference.
Groups 2 and 3 were dominated by Ipswich School and Bedford School respectively, both recording four clear wins and a points difference in three figures. With three schools, RGS Guildford, Trinity School and Wimbledon College tied on 4 group points and with the same head-to-head records, the remaining places were decided on points difference, with the hosts losing out following a strong performance by RGS in the final group game against Trinity. Second and third places in Group 3 were clear-cut, with Emanuel School qualifying for the Plate and Dulwich College for the Shield.
The closest fought group, Group 4, was being played 200 metres up the road on the Old Wimbledonians pitches. Despite the withdrawal of Brighton College this still looked a tough group on paper, with several tight games. After Epsom College had looked impressive against Seaford College, Skinners’ played out a nail-biting game against Warwick School. who scored three converted tries while the Kent school ran in four tries but were unable to convert any, missing a conversion in front of the posts which would have given them victory by a point. With Skinners’ losing to Epsom but beating Seaford, the stage was set for a group decider between Warwick and Epsom, the Midlands-based school prevailing by a single score.
With the knockout phase moving to the main pitches, the Shield semi-finals saw Skinners, finally landing some conversions, dominant against Hampton and Dulwich getting the better of South London rivals Trinity in a close game. The Shield final, on the 1st XV pitch, was close at half-time before Skinners found some excellent form after the interval to win 33-14. In the Plate Epsom racked up the points in the second half against Berkhamsted to progress to the final, while on the adjoining pitch, Emanuel played some excellent defence to hold RGS to two scores and deservedly record the win. In the final Epsom’s size advantage and athleticism proved too much on the big pitch and they ran out comfortable winners despite being reduced to six players for a while, though Emanuel continued to battle away and at last got on the scoreboard with a late try.
Both Trophy semi-finals were close-run games, with the head changing hands between Warwick and Whitgift several times. Warwick came close to forcing a draw on the final play, with their athletic wing chasing a long grubber and recovering to score, but he was unable to get close to the posts and the conversion attempt was unsuccessful. The other semi-final, between two schools that had won all their group games by large margins, finished a few minutes later and was if anything even closer with again a two-point margin in favour of Bedford. In the final, Bedford survived a lengthy period of possession and pressure by Whitgift and when they finally broke out some excellent handling saw them run in three unanswered tries before the interval. Although Whitgift narrowed the gap with a score early in the second half, Bedford regained control with two further scores before Whitgift managed a consolation try at the end. Thus, Bedford were presented with the Trophy they had won when the tournament was last played in 2023 and, with one of their players being awarded the Player of the Tournament, they will have had a happy journey home.
Congratulations and thanks are also due to Neil Hallett and his excellent supporting team for their tireless efforts in planning and managing a splendid competition.
Finals Results:
John Peroni Trophy: Whitgift School 12-29 Bedford School
Plate: Epsom College 40-5 Emanuel School
Shield: Skinners’ School 33-14 Dulwich College
By Peter Crawshaw
