Some of the best young rugby talent was on show last Monday evening for the 23rd annual Gravesend Rugby Club invitation schools sevens and included two new entrants, Judd School and Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar.

Those that braved the searing cold were treated to some fast entertaining sevens played at a pace only available from the fittest of young legs.

Trophy holders Dartford Grammar, lost out in the closest of the evening’s matches although they made Rochester Maths work hard for their win 19-14. They then went on to beat Kings Rochester, 28-19, to get through to the Plate Final.

Judd School opened their account with an easy victory over Kings Rochester, 40-0 then eased past Rochester Maths, 27-0 to secure the first place in the main final.

The final first round game saw Campion against Duke of York, with the former putting twenty-six points on the board, before easing down to allow their opposition to run in two tries with one conversion for a final tally of 26-12.

In the plate semi-finals a tight game between Kings Rochester and Dartford saw the scores stand at 21-19 until Dartford eased through 28-19 with the final play of the game.

The second plate semi matched Duke of York against the luckless Gravesend Grammar with the latter scoring a lone try to seven and a final score-line of 41-5.

The second trophy semi-final put the high scoring pair Campion and Chislehurst and Sidcup together. The Essex seven were soon on the back-foot to two quick tries and were 19-10 adrift at half-time before going out 31-17.

In the plate final a tight affair between Dartford and Duke of York was level at 7-7 until a late flurry say Dartford gain the upper-hand for 19-7 victory.

In the trophy final, Judd School faced Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar but the latter had no answers to the speedy break-outs of the Tonbridge side who touched down seven times with all conversions successful for a tally of 49-0.

Truly worthy winners as Judd amassed 116 points with no score against.

Chairman of Gravesend RFC, Graham Haggar, praised the spirit in which the games had been played and congratulated Judd School for their fine display that brought them victory over Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar in the final.