Rosslyn Park National Sevens Vase Competition

On the morning of day one of the Rosslyn Park National Sevens Vase competition, the St Paul’s Under 18s were one of 228 teams vying for the prestigious trophy. By the afternoon of day two, St Paul’s were one of only 4 teams left in the competition as they strode out onto the pitch for the semi-final, and to be able to relay their achievements along the way fills me with pride.

On the first day, the boys had to win all 3 of their group games, as well as a straight knock out game against fellow group winners The Campion School in order to make it to day two. In what was to become a staple of the tournament, this knockout game was a closely contested affair, with St Paul’s running out winners by 17-15.

On the second day, an even tougher group awaited, composed solely of teams who had achieved the difficult feat of qualifying for day two. Nevertheless, the boys won each of these games, beating Dollar Academy (14-12), St Peter’s School York (28-19), and Bedford Modern School (26-24). Such was the intensity of the group that two of the three games were decided by conversions.

The boys were then drawn in the quarter final against a very strong St. Edwards Oxford side who got off to a fast start with two early tries. However, in front of a large, pressure-inducing crowd, our boys once again dug deep and showed tremendous fighting spirit and resilience to come back and win the game 19-14.

Sadly, after winning their previous eight games, their ninth game in two days would prove too much. By the time the semi-final came round, our squad size was reduced by several injuries and the remaining boys had nothing left in their bodies to give. Despite never ceasing to fight, St Paul’s were eventually beaten by a strong Lancaster Grammar side by 29-14.

Whilst I normally consider it wrong of me to single out individual players for SPS Rugby Club as the whole team often does and, particularly in this case , did give their all, it would be equally wrong of me not to give a special mention to Nathan Bottomley (Upper Eighth) and Andreas Hadjiloizou (Upper Eighth) who played outstanding well throughout the two days of rugby sevens. I would like to finish by saying that this group of young men have given everything to the Rugby Club in their time at St. Paul’s School. Rosslyn Park is the largest school sevens tournament in the world and to make it to day two of this competition, let alone to then go on to the semi-final stage is nothing short of exceptional. They have done our school and themselves proud!

Well done and congratulations to each of the following boys for their incredible effort and commitment over the two days: Nathan Bottomley (Upper Eighth), Andreas Hadjiloizou(Upper Eighth) , Marco Sicheri (Upper Eighth), Ned Bowman (Upper Eighth), Thomas Darke (Upper Eighth), Charlie White (Upper Eighth), Jacob Bethell (Lower Eighth), Lorenzo Massi (Upper Eighth), Nick Tredre (Upper Eighth), Billy Davies (Upper Eighth), Gabriel Hoffman (Upper Eighth), Torgua Lee Imnadze (Upper Eighth), Dan Taylor (Lower Eighth), Manny Dell (Lower Eighth).

Written by Andy Maguire, Head of Rugby