Wimbledon College Wins National Rugby 7s Event - Again!

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Talented youngsters triumph over familiar opponents

Wimbledon College backed up last year’s triumph at the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School 7s at U13 level by winning this year’s U14 Cup.

In a remarkable turn of events, the U14 final this year was the same as at last year’s U13 final, as Wimbledon College met Welsh side Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf.

Glantaf, clearly, wanted revenge for that defeat last year, but Wimbledon College were simply too strong, and their incredible pace was just too much to handle.

They had knocked out Oakham in the elimination round, before finishing top of an incredibly tough quarter final pool ahead of Warwick and Hampton, two schools that could easily have had designs on the Cup.

They were tested, really tested, in the semi final against Wellington College, but eventually came through 19-12 victors. Glantaf, meanwhile, had beaten Bishop’s Stortford High School 31-0 in their semi final.

That trickier semi final perhaps battle-hardened Wimbledon College though, for they seemed the side that was just more ‘on it’ in the final, playing with real intensity and causing plenty of excitement in the large crowd that had gathered to watch.

That intensity paid off with an excellent 26-10 win, a back to back titles for this special group of young players that Wimbledon College have produced.

They will not be able to do it again next year, but watch out in 2019 when both schools will be in the U16 Cup competition.

Pictured (below L-R) back row; J Curri, C Acquah, A Brosch, L Buttaci (Capt) C Cleaves, J Eguaibor, N Jibulu

Front row; K Kanor, C Millar, J Scrivener, N Flannery, N Sibal.

Director of Rugby Neil Hallett said: "To win it once (2016 - U13) is an excellent achievement but to follow it up with this year's success is an outstanding. Especially as the standard is even higher! 

"This team are a talented group of boys and the potential is huge. Every coach at the College is now vying to take them next year! The College is extremely proud of these young men and how well they conducted themselves over the two days.

"It shows the strength and quality of rugby at the College, especially how we had two of our three teams reach the second day. The boys' victory is just another memorable event to help celebrate the College's 125th anniversary." The College's U16s reached the last 16 in their event.

March 29, 2017