Our Year 11 boys created history last Wednesday when they became the first QEHS team ever to compete in the biggest rugby union tournament in the world – the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens.
Having travelled down to London by train on Tuesday afternoon, the 13-man squad arrived at Roehampton the following morning for the U16 Boys Colts competition – along with no less than 239 other teams and more than 3000 players.
With just one sevens tournament of preparation under their belts, in a competition dominated by fee-paying schools who play this format of rugby regularly and with only 32 teams going through to the second day, our boys were generally regarded as huge underdogs.
However, that was not how the squad viewed themselves, and they proved as much by showing from the start of their opening game against Shrewsbury School – where Charles Darwin was a pupil – how quickly they are evolving as a sevens team.
Fantastic ball retention and excellent movement meant Shrewsbury didn’t touch the ball in an opening few minutes which ended with Teddy S capping a fantastic line break by scoring QEHS’s first try.
Another score looked likely as QEHS camped in Shrewsbury’s 22. However, when the ball went astray in a howling wind, we were caught on the break and the scores were levelled.
Shrewsbury then added further tries either side of half-time as they hit their stride, and QEHS skipper Will F was forced off – and out of the tournament – with an ankle injury.
However, QEHS rallied and scored a second fine try through the rampaging Thomas W.
Shrewsbury thought they had secured a win when they scored a fourth try with a few minutes left, only for Isaac J to crash over for QEHS’s third try and Elliott P to land his second out of three conversion attempts.
That set up an exciting finish, with QEHS knowing a converted try would see them take victory. But, as they pressed deep into the opposition half, the ball went astray and Shrewsbury broke clear to finally make the game safe.
After a two-hour wait, during which time the players toured the huge site – featuring 24 pitches – QEHS lined up against Cathedral School, Llandaff, another fee-paying school with a rich rugby history whose old boys include current Wales international Louis-Rees Zammit.
QEHS enjoyed at least as much possession as the Welsh side throughout the game. But Llandaff – two-time Rosslyn Park finalists in the last 20 years – showed our boys the value of attacking efficiency, scoring three tries without reply, while errors or defensive pressure blunted our cutting edge.
Lewis L powered over the line for QEHS’s first try, which – contrary to the referee’s opinion – was successfully converted. But Llandaff added another score before the final whistle to clinch a 22-5 (actually 7!) victory.
The interval between our second and third group games saw the weather take a turn, as heavy rain and then hail combined with the biting wind to give our lads a reminder of home!
But the boys were determined to finish their historic first-ever Rosslyn Park campaign with a win.
Again, the opposition was a private school with a strong rugby heritage – Wycliffe College. And the task for our lads looked a daunting one when they conceded two early tries.
However, QEHS responded brilliantly, scoring five tries without reply to move towards victory, and a last-gasp Wycliffe try counted for nothing.
All of the boys did QEHS proud – and were expertly coached by Jonas T’s dad, Steve.
A full match report for the great success of the girls’ team will follow.
Respect. Engage. Aspire.
