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The Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens kicked off yesterday with the Juniors and Preparatory schools taking centre stage and though young in age they boys aged 14 and below did not disappoint in what was a great start to the tournament.

To win the national schools title team would have to play seven matches throughout the day - no mean feat for any rugby player no matter there age - but the quality of play in both tournaments was not dimmed as the sun shone brightly in Roehampton on day 1 of the tournament.

In the Junior tournament last year's winners, RGS High Wycombe, proved to be as competitive as always, winning their group comfortably and qualifying for the last 16. Alongside them were other notable performances from Barnard Castle, John Fisher, Brynteg and Woodhouse Grove all running out easy group winners.

In the latter stages of the tournament it was Whitgift, with the determination and class that is required to win at the National Schools, who shone through as they dominated the knockout rounds winning 33-0 against Barnard Castle, 39-14 against Brynteg and running out comfortable winners in the final 24-0 against a game Warwick team.

In the preparatory schools tournament it was the perenial challengers that rose to the top with the knock outs taking a familiar form with Caldicott, Sedbergh, Dulwich, Dragon and the Oratory all qualifying.

All of the knockout matches were closely fought, with the largest winning margin being only 12 points. It was anyone's title but was going to take a massive effort to overcome so many good sides.

The semi-finals saw The Downs defeat Sedbergh 19-5, which set up a final with Bedford who had won a close game against Dulwich - a single conversion being the difference between the two sides in a 14-12 scoreline.

The scene was set for a hard fought final and the crowd was not let down. The Downs played the better rugby, winning 24-14 to become worthy National Schools Champions for 2009.

Both tournaments saw quality rugby played from top to bottom and the 2009 National Schools Sevens certainly kicked off in style. The older years and remaining competitions - Colts, Girls, Festival and Open - now have a lot to live up to...