Rugby 7s (5th-10th March)
This is the time of year where Rugby 7s tournaments take place, both midweek and at weekends, and LRGS pupils have been producing some fantastic performances throughout. Last week was a busy one, including 6 teams playing over last weekend.
Tuesday 5th
The U14As played some good rugby during the tournament in a closely contested group. The group ended in a 3-way tie with Manchester GS and Shrewsbury, with LRGS placed 3rd based on try’s scored (19 vs 20). However, after losing the first match, and the team well in contention to top the group, the U14s went undefeated for the rest of the day and won the 3rd place play-off match.
U14A results @ Wirral GS 7s:
Lost vs Manchester GS
Won vs Wirral GS
Won vs Shrewsbury
Won vs St Ambrose
Won vs Birkenhead (3rd place final)
The U14B VII attended the Giggleswick 7s and made a fantastic start with 2 wins. However, we narrowly lost to Giggleswick in the final group match, but still managed to qualify for the cup semi-final. Although well beaten by Stonyhurst A on the day, the players performed well throughout and showed the depth of talented players we have in Year 9.
U 14B results @ Giggleswick 7s:
Won vs Bradford GS B
Won vs St Mary’s, Crosby A
Lost vs Giggleswick A
Lost vs Stonyhurst College A (Cup semi-final)
Wednesday 6th
The 2nd VII had a successful day at Austin Friars 7s and won the competition with some fine 7s played. It wasn’t straight forward by any means with difficult fixtures throughout the group stages. Newcastle School for Boys and Ripon GS looked strong throughout, but a last play lost to Trinity put a place in the final at risk, but thankfully a place in the final was secured based on results vs teams on equal points. The final vs QEGS, Penrith was an open and lung-busting match, but the team came good and fully deserved the win.
2nd VII results @ Austin Friars 7s:
Won vs Keswick
Won vs Newcastle School for Boys
Lost vs Trinity
Won vs Ripon GS
Won vs QEGS, Penrith (Final)
Saturday 9th
The King’s Macclesfield 7s has grown in size over the last few years, and now the competition takes place for 5 age groups (U12 to U16). LRGS entered a team into each age group on a cold, but fine day for 7s in dry conditions.
The U12s had a tightly contested group and missed out on a place in the 1st place final due to try’s scored. A fantastic win over Warwick (eventual winners) showed the team were playing as good as any in the competition, and fully deserved success, which came in the way of winning the 2nd place final vs King’s Macclesfield.
U12 results @ King’s Macclesfield 7s:
Won vs Sandbach
Won vs Manchester GS
Lost vs St Anselm’s
Won vs Warwick
Won vs Audenshaw (2nd place final)
The U13s played some good rugby in the group stages, and showed glimpses of the work being done in training. The team lost 2 matches in the group stages but managed to finish 2nd and won the 2nd place final vs King’s Macclesfield. Another top effort, and the squad should be excited for their final tournaments, including the national Rosslyn Park 7s.
U13 results @ King’s Macclesfield 7s:
Won vs Sandbach
Won vs Queen Mary’s GS
Lost vs Kirkham GS
Lost vs Manchester GS
Won vs King’s Macclesfield (2nd place final)
This was a tough group for the U14s, which included an opening encounter vs Glenalmond College from Scotland. The 7s season can often enable our pupils to play against teams outside our fixture list, which is a valuable experience for them. A fine performance vs Sedbergh (eventual winners) gave the team confidence, but unfortunately the boys did not progress into the knockout stages.
U14 results @ King’s Macclesfield 7s:
Lost vs Glenalmond College (Sco)
Draw vs Sedbergh School
Won vs Wirral GS
Lost vs St Anselms College
The U15s had a tough day and lost all 3 matches. 7s is a high pressure game where mistakes are costly and matches come thick and fast. The U15s are another talented group, and lost against strong sides. A few more training sessions before the last competition at Audenshaw, and hopefully the hard work can pay off.
U15 results @ King’s Macclesfield 7s:
Lost vs Stonyhurst College
Lost vs St Anselm’s College
Lost vs Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni (Wal)
The U16s were the pick of the sides from Saturday and won the U16 cup. It is worth noting that the U16s have not been able to train much since HT (with mocks), so 7s preparation has certainly been limited. However, the boys have had a fantastic XV season, been a top bunch of players to coach (ORJ/GAJM will testify), and fully deserve their success. The team had to show lots of mental strength in the knockout matches with some very close matches in the semi-final vs Bradford GS (7 point win) and final vs King’s Macclesfield (4 point win). Huge congratulations!
U16 results @ King’s Macclesfield 7s:
Won vs Stonyhurst College
Won vs Audenshaw School
Won vs St Anselm’s College
Won vs Solihull School
Won vs Bradford GS (Semi Final)
Won vs King’s Macclesfield (Final)
Sunday 10th
The 1st VII played their first tournament of the season following cancellation of the North of England 7s on Sunday 3rd March. The weather conditions were testing for all teams following rain overnight and during the morning, but the hosts did brilliantly to keep everything on with pitches getting heavier through the day. A number of top rugby schools attend this competition and the standard was high throughout. Some fine performances during the group stages meant a deserving final vs Kirkham GS. With lots of fatigue in the legs due to the heavy conditions, the players showed fantastic composure against top opposition in the final, and came out winners. Congratulations!
1st VII results @ Mount St Mary’s 7s:
Won vs Mount St Mary’s
Won vs Birkdale
Won vs Denstone College
Won vs St Peter’s, York
Won vs Kirkham GS (Final)