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Millfield School continued their strong form which has seen them win at the South Coast and West of England Sevens by taking the Surrey Sevens yesterday. Millfield beat a strong Tonbridge outfit 32-0 in the final to guarantee they will arrive at National Schools in fine morale.

The Surrey tournament is widely seen as one of the best tournaments on the schools circuit, mixing one term and two term schools over one day of fast paced Sevens. The standard of the tournament is such that no group game is an easy one and teams have to win 4 knock-out matches to take the tournament. 

The knock out stages

The last 16 saw the top placed team from each group taking on a runner up from another. It was Tonbridge School who sent a real message to their rivals in defeating finalists at the South Coast Sevens, Colstons handily 31-12. Elsewhere it was Brighton College who recently won the Sussex Open defeating Sevenoaks 33-10 to make the Quarter Finals.

England International and London Irish star Peter Richards has been doing some coaching with the Sussex school and his time appears to of been paying off, Richards has noted the growth in Sevens recently saying "the idea of the Olympics in 2016 add an extra level of excitement to tournaments like this".

Reigning champions, Wellington College struggled from the outset and the coaching staff will surely be somewhat anxious about the side defending the Festival title at Nationals. 'Welly' made it to the quarter-finals with a hard fought, sometimes frustrating victory against Sherborne 12-10 but they came up against an inspired Filton side who gained revenge for a loss at the group stages in Portsmouth 10 days ago by winning 17-12.

In the other quarter-finals Tonbridge defeated Welsh school Coleg Sir Gar 26-21. Coleg have come up short a number of times this season but will be pleased with a good days work in making the final 8. Millfield won the battle of the form sides in beating Brighton College, it was Harrow School, who are more known for their 15s ability who were now catching the eye in beating finalists from the weekend in Taunton, Bryanston.

Two great semi Finals

In the first semi-final the substantial crowds were treated to a fantastic game of 7s between Millfield and Harrow. Harrow showed they were far from fearful of their opponents in scoring first from a turnover deep in Millfield territory and whilst the Somerset school hit back almost immediately it was again Harrow who pushed the level with some great wide play and weak Millfield defending they got their 2nd. From the restart though Millfield gained possession and behind some masterful control from Captain Henry Thomas they scored again and held the half-time lead. After the intermission the Millfield fitness showed with 3 very well worked scores. As had been throughout the day, Millfield dominated the breakdown and with some skilful midfield play were able to pull away. Harrow scored the final try but though the game was gone by that point it went some way to show the valiant nature of the side.

The 2nd semi-final was a much closer affair with Tonbridge defeating Filton 27-19. The game hinged on a number of big decisions that went the way of the school from Kent and with winger Damilola Segun dominating from wide they were able to pull away from a tired Filton in the 2nd half.

Dominant Millfield

The final as with many school boy finals turned out to be rather one-sided with Millfield dominating from the outset. The very fit and efficient Millfield side were able to score at regular intervals behind the elusive and lightning fast Miles Mantella whose reputation is growing each week. Tonbridge never gave up the chase but rarely allowed into the game by the superb Millfield side who had looked a class apart all day with only Harrow getting close in one half of sevens throughout the day. A final score of 32-0 did not flatter Millfield but Tonbridge deserved more from a successful day.

Tonbridge Coach James Johnson was pleased with the days work and said “I'm Chuffed with the way the boys played, to beat Colston’s, Coleg Sir Gar and Filton on the way to the final is a great effort form a one term rugby school.” and this was a feeling that all at the Athletic Ground agreed with at the end of the day.

Millfield coach Lewis Williams was his usually reserved self in saying “We started slowly the usual Millfield style, the 3 tough games one after another, was a real tough ask and the players did brilliantly. Time for a rest now in preparation for the National Schools” but his captain Thomas' felt that the victory was a big step towards winning at Rosslyn Park next week “this is the next best tournament to National Schools and the hardest one day tournament in the country and hopefully this will mean we can go on and do well next week.”

Peter Richards, had predicted earlier in the day that Millfield would be tough to stop in saying "Millfield and Brighton have been quality all day and I would expect the winner to come from that quarter final" before their final 8 match.

Three players stood out all day Segun, (Tonbridge) Thomas, (Millfield) and Mantella (Millfield) and it was behind their skill and Segun's and Mantella's finishing skills that saw their sides to the final. It was the Millfield captain though, Henry Thomas who was the lynchpin in his sides victory, showing maturity and control beyond his years whilst being involved both defensively at the breakdown and offensively in the midfield throughout the tournament which sees him win UR7s Player of the Tournament.

Once again the Surrey School tournament proved to be a fantastic tournament for all involved and former tournament organiser Colin Holman went on to say “I’m delighted at how well the day has run. Millfield were consistent all day and I was pleased to see Tonbridge in the final.” I am pleased that the Surrey 7s given the opportunity for all schools in the South West to lock horns, at other tournaments the teams we have seen here today are often in either the open or the festival tournaments.
 

UR7s Match of the Day - Millfield v Harrow
 

UR7s Player of the Day - Henry Thomas