Brighton boys gear up for big one with Surrey win

BRIGHTON College produced an excellent performance throughout the day as they won a first ever Surrey 7s title, beating Wellington College 24-21 in a terrific final.

As well as beating Wellington, Brighton fought back against Bishop Wand from 12-0 down and defeated strong Harrow and Marlborough College sides in the competition, which acts a tournament both for Surrey schools and other top rugby schools throughout the country.

Director of rugby Nick Buoy was proud to win the hugely prestigious competition. “It’s been an amazing day,” he said. “I think it’s the toughest tournament of all the school 7s tournaments, so many good teams around and so many big games to play in one day. Their heart was huge. I couldn’t be prouder.

“We’ll take a lot of confidence into Rosslyn Park, but I think as a standalone achievement it’s really special, the boys have got these memories for life.”

In the Plate, Hampton recovered from a flat, disappointing group stage to overcome St John’s Leatherhead, Whitgift and Epsom to claim the title they won in 2015 to boost their own confidence for the upcoming National 7s.

Another team who will go into the tournament at Rosslyn Park with plenty of optimism is Bromsgrove, who followed up last week’s Shakespeare 7s title with a stunning display in the knockout stages to blow away KES Stratford, RGS Worcester and Monmouth to win the Solihull 7s.

Before Rosslyn Park, the attention will turn back to the 15-a-side game as next week sees the National Cup Finals at both U15s and U18s level.

Last Sunday at Sixways, QEGS Wakefield edged out Ipswich 22-19 in a thrilling U15s semi-final, before Wellington College overpowered Radley College 36-7 to confirm their place against QEGS in the final.

In the U18s, Trinity beat Sherborne 29-12 for the right to play Kirkham in the final. Both matches will be at Twickenham on Wednesday.