The Christ College Sevens Squad’S Season Ends At The Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens

From its humble beginning in 1939, the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens has evolved into the world’s largest school rugby tournament with some 7,000 boys and girls aged 13 – 18 competing annually.

They started the tournament in fine style, beating Ashton Park 66-0 and followed this up with a 28-5 win over local rivals Hereford Cathedral School. However defeats to Oakham (22-12) and QEH Bristol (42-5) saw Christ College finish 3rd out of 5 in Group P.

The Christ College squad had shown fine form ahead of the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, winning the Plate at the West of England Sevens Tournament held at Colston’s in Bristol. Christ College drew their first fixture 5-5, against Monmouth School, but lost 19-12 against Cheltenham College. They then beat King’s Taunton 29-12, Kings Bruton 30-0 and secured a 10-0 win over the hosts, Colston’s. This propelled Christ College straight into the Plate Final where they battled to a terrific 10 – 5 win over Taunton School to secure the Plate.

A week later the Christ College squad followed this up with an excellent win in a one-off tournament at Cardiff Arms Park when they won The Chris Webber Cup. They stormed through Group A unbeaten, beating Ysgol Glantaf (24-14), King’s Worcester (22-10) and a notable 17-10 win over Llandovery College. This meant that Christ College topped their group, earning a place in the semi-final of the Cup against the 2nd place team in Group B. In the semi-final, Christ College beat a much-fancied Cheltenham College side, 17-5, to secure a place in the final. They went on to win the final in emphatic style, beating Monmouth School 31-5 to secure ‘The Chris Webber Cup’.

At the Cardiff tournament, Christ College’s Director of Rugby, Jon Goodridge, said: “The whole squad were simply incredible! They were desperately unlucky not to be Cup finalists at the West of England Tournament, but this victory here in Cardiff confirms that this is a squad with real potential!”

Christ College’s Sevens season has come to an end but, like the 15 aside tournament, they can look back on this season with a real sense of achievement and pride.