22nd annual invitation floodlit schools sevens (From News Shopper)

22nd annual invitation floodlit schools sevens

12:30pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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Some of the best young rugby talent was on show last Monday evening for the 22nd annual Gravesend Rugby Club invitation schools sevens.

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 Campion School, from Essex were first through to the cup semi-finals although they had to work hard for their win over Rochester Maths, 24-17.

The second contest of the evening went to the wire as Gravesend Grammar School were victors over City of London Freemans 21-19. Kings Canterbury were far too strong Kings Rochester as they ran in six tries to nil and a final tally of 38-0.

The final first round game was again a keenly contested affair between Dartford Grammar School and Duke of York, Dover. 7-12 down at the interval, Dartford GS slipped further behind as Duke of York moved on to 7-19 but the local side rallied to bring themselves level at full-time, and then score the golden try in extra-time for 24-19.

In the plate semi-finals a tight game between Rochester Maths and City of London was all square 15-15 at the whistle and Rochester scored first in the added time to go through 20-15. The other semi put Kings Rochester against Duke of York with the latter winning comfortably 10-31.

Campion School players looked decidedly more physically mature than Gravesend Grammar and eased through to the cup final by 40-5. Kings Canterbury who had looked impressive in their first round win were soon behind and at the break trailed Dartford GS by 0-19. A spirited revival in the second period however was not enough as Dartford went through 17-24.

Both the Plate and the Cup finals went to extra time. In the former, the teams were locked together 17-17 before Rochester Maths raced in for the first score in extra time for their win 22-17 over Duke of York.

In the Cup final, Campion, winners of the competition for the past three years, faced their stiffest test of the evening when they came up against a well drilled Dartford GS. Neither set of players allowed much room for their opponents to work in as the defensive lines kept tight.

Campion were first to score wide out for 5-0 but the lead was short lived as a gap appeared Dartford raced in between the post and 5-7, quickly followed by a second touch-down 5-12. Campion eventually found space to get through and level in the dying seconds but it was Dartford who crossed for the first score in extra time to add their name to the trophy with a 12-19 victory.

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