Boys’ Rugby

My final thanks, of course, go to the players. It was a privilege to share their journey and I hope all would do it all again if they had the chance.

Jonathan Hughes

U14 Rugby Sevens

U16 Rugby Sevens

What a roller coaster of a season. We started on a real high in a friendly triangular tournament at BB against Cheltenham and Millfield. We then fell away for much of the term without being able to play with any consistency or form. Finally, we hit the heights again at Rosslyn Park, especially on that first day.

The West of England and Gloucestershire Schools tournaments did at least give us game time, but without our strongest 12 at any time. I must give a ‘shout out’ here, to all the players who did not make the final RP7 cut (you know who you are). All improved as players and they performed with heart and desire. However, rugby sevens is a very tough game to adapt to in such a short space of time. I hope that they enjoyed giving it a go and took happy memories with them.

At Rosslyn, due to our indifferent form going into the national competition, expectations were modest. It was a super effort to win our group, and Eastbourne, our toughest opponents, really made us sweat in a tight 19-17 game to decide the pool. What was pleasing about the group qualifying matches was the fact that all 12 players performed at their best and finally we played to our system (as Pat Lam would say). Our elimination game at the end of the first day against another group winner (Reed’s School), was actually quite a comfortable win (26-7). We had achieved our goal to get to the finals day and be in the top 24 schools out of 192 starting the competition. More significantly, the team were now able to enjoy a relaxing Lido pool session, a trip to Nando’s and a second night at the Travelodge - how memories are made! The second day was a tough experience, injuries played their part, but to be fair to our round-robin opponents of St Paul’s and Harrow (eventual finalists), we were not at the races and were well beaten.

My thanks go to all the parents, who gave up their time to share in our journey; they provided wonderful support through both tough and good times.

A massive thanks to Mr Slym, who did the lion’s share of the coaching, and without whom, the team would not have enjoyed the success that they achieved. Thank you too to Mr Salter and Mr Grewcock who provided all the logistic support, and without them Rugby 7s at Clifton would not be flourishing.

The successes of the Michaelmas Term’s rugby prompted a little more organisation to the sevens programme for the U14s. Weekly training sessions with Mr Balfour, Mr Grewcock and Mr Evans alongside their major sports brought a level of fitness and discipline that was going to serve the boys well in the competitions. The first was a trip to Dean Close. An eagerly awaited match against Radley in the group went Clifton’s way and the boys progressed as the topseeded side into the semi-finals. Monmouth provided a match of exceptional sevens with great skill on show from Danny Boyle, Vinny Sims and Lewis Popple in particular leading Clifton into a final against Cheltenham. With no rest between matches, Clifton started strongly, going up 19-5 at half time, before starting to tire. Cheltenham scored early in the second half, and then scored as the final whistle blew. A successful conversion would have taken the game to extra time but it drifted wide. The first piece of silverware was won. Next up was the Bristol Schools Sevens on a cold, windy Monday at Colston’s. Clifton made light work of the group stage, before meeting the hosts in the final. Learning lessons from the week before, the side was well rested going into the final and produced a convincing display to allow captain Lewis Popple to collect the second trophy.

With Rosslyn Park now looming on the horizon, the team went to play an invitational at Sherborne. Again, the group stage proved straightforward enough, as did the semi-final against our hosts. Millfield awaited in the final. A very well drilled Millfield side took the win and with that, the boys experienced the disappointment of losing for the first time in Clifton colours. The following week provided a chance to right the wrongs. The South-West Sevens was called off at the last minute, so a trip to Millfield gave us the opportunity to do so on their turf. Order was restored and the team left with two victories against our esteemed hosts.

Rosslyn Park was the culmination of all of the work that the boys had put in. Group game wins against Campion, Oundle and Pangbourne set up a qualifier for day two against Eton College. In front of the Seniors, U16s, girls and Prep

School, Clifton played the best sevens of their season to win and progress. It was one of my personal highlights of the season and demonstrated the camaraderie within the school. Day two would see Wellington on the main pitch, and a game broadcast to the world via YouTube. A few fingernails were lost as the match went back and forth but in the end Wellington held on for a 10-7 win. A consolation win against Ipswich meant we finished the day on a high but the boys left with a sense of “what if?”. I am so optimistic for this year group as they progress through the school and it was a pleasure to support them through their first sevens season.

Charlie Balfour