With their confidence high after their convincing 56-0 win over Newlands School last week, a squad of ten Year 7 boys made the short trip over to the other side of Brighton for a Rugby 7s competition.

In the group stage the boys had a tough opening match against Warden Park.  The opening five minutes saw Shoreham defending deep in their own half for the lion’s share of the opening five minutes before eventually conceding a try.  With a couple of substitutions at half time, the boys were back out with fresh legs and raring to go.  The second half was very exciting with some quality rugby being played by the both teams.  With only a couple of minutes to go, Captain Marcus Law broke through Warden Park’s line and ran half the pitch before being tackled inside their five metre line.  Unfortunately, support did not arrive in time and Warden Park took possession of the ball and promptly scored themselves down the other end to make the full score 12-0.

The second group stage match was against Brighton College Lower School.  Shoreham took forward their momentum from their first match and played some good rugby, running some good lines and tackling well and after three minutes were ahead 7-0.  Brighton came back strong and tied the game shortly before half time and went on to win with a second half try 14-7.

After 2 matches and two defeats, progress in the tournament was not looking likely.  However, the boys’ spirit did not drop and they ground out a 14-7 victory against St. Christopher’s.

After all the scores had been tallied, with three school’s on one win and two losses, surprisingly, but not undeservedly, Shoreham qualified for the trophy semi-final on points difference.

Having finished runners up, we were scheduled to play the winners of group A, Rydon, a team that had chalked up some big score-lines on some of their group stage opponents.  With a new lease of life, given by their somewhat surprising qualification, Shoreham came out with bags of energy and determination and got stuck in to a battle of attrition that was a very exciting game to watch.  Shoreham conceded first and Rydon converted but minutes later Shoreham had the ball practically on Rydon try-line but could not touch it down to level the score before half time.

In the second half, Rydon scored again but this only the made the boys try harder and play better!  Scrummaging well all afternoon, Jacob Thompson, Benjamin Cottey-Hill and Cameron Lake-Gouhari won yet another scrum and Alex Townley passed the ball out to the backs who moved the ball down the line to Max Southall who broke away on the overlap and made a good fifty yard run before being forced into touch for a Rydon Lineout.  There was a late try and conversion from scrum half, Alex Townley that brought the score-line to 14-7, but time had slipped away and the final whistle sounded.

On the whole, a super afternoon of rugby with every player giving 100% effort in every match; well done Year 7!