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In-form Kirkham Grammar head south this week for the National School Sevens as the leading northern light. They remain unbeaten in the shortened form of the game this season, retaining both their Fylde and Kukri North of England Schools Invitational Sevens titles and also taking the Birkenhead Schools trophy.

At Fylde, they played some consistent and attack minded rugby averaging 40 points a game in the group stages with Kieran Marmion, Daniel Bibby and Tommy Banks dangerous throughout. A second half blitz was good enough against Manchester Grammar School in the last 16, before quarter and semi-final druppings over Lanwit Major and the highly rated Warwick School setting up a showdown with Robert Clack London in the final.

Marmian’s try-scoring prowess continued proving too hot to handle for the Londoners guiding his team to a comfortable 40-5 win.

The tournament win came on the back of carrying off the Bowring Trophy for the second successive year when they beat Hymers College from Hull after extra time to win the Kukri North of England Schools Invitation Sevens at Birkenhead Park RFC.

It proved a thrilling climax with the finalists level at 17-17 at the end of normal time and the holders retaining the trophy with a sudden-death score to win 22-17. A major reason behind the success of the squad is the continuity of selection for Master i/c of Rugby Aled Trenhaille.

The experience of captain Jonathon Edwards, fly-half Daniel Bibby and winger Tommy Banks has been crucial providing a solid spine for the all-conquering northerners. So how does the coach rate his side's chances at Rosslyn Park?

“Our preparation has been going well, but The National Sevens is very difficult. You need a great deal of luck with the draw,” said Trenhaille who is also Head of Religious Studies at the school.

“We have a difficult pool this year with Oaklands winning the Hertfordshire Sevens and having close links with Saracens. Whilst both Wimbledon College and Amman Valley have reputations for playing attractive Sevens.”

The team cruised through the Pool stages at last years Nationals Schools before coming unstuck against John Fisher at the quarter-finals stage.

“We learnt a lot from the defeat last year and will have gained from the experience, but we still need luck and no injuries”.

Trenhaille himself is as huge advocate of school sevens and believes the Rosslyn Park event, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, is an ideal environment for player development.

“School boy Sevens gives an excellent opportunity for boys to display their ability in both attack and defense and The National Sevens is the ideal place and setting for this. The organisation of such an outstanding tournament must be very difficult but is always excellent.