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Rugby Sevens team are top 2 in the country

Posted: 24th March 2018

Taunton School’s Rugby Sevens team are top 2 in the country after storming their way to National finals. Taunton School’s under 14 rugby sevens squad beat off competition from 120 top schools’ rugby teams from across the country to reach the final of the prestigious Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens. The success is well deserved and Taunton School are celebrating the squad becoming second best in the country.

They came runners up to Whitgift School for Boys in the final having fought their way through with an outstanding unbeaten run during the competition.

The Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens Competition is the world’s largest school rugby tournament with some 7,000 boys and girls aged 13 – 18 competing annually. From its humble beginning in 1939, it has been held every year since, becoming one of the oldest continuous tournaments.

The successful squad comprised of Tom Houghton-King, Harrison Barrett, Isaac Stuckey, Teddy Woolstencroft, Barnaby Webber, Woody Knight, Charlie Shave, Barney Dietz, Ben Chaffey and Ollie Tucker.

They cruised through their group stage beating Gordon’s School, Birkdale School, St John’s School (Leatherhead) and Devonport High School for Boys, and then beat Cardiff High in an elimination round. In the quarter and semi finals they beat Bishop’s Stortford High School, Colchester and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield.

Captain Barney Dietz said: “I am really proud of the achievement from everyone in the squad. We left everything on the pitch and could not have given any more. I could not have asked for anything more of any of the players.”

Director of Rugby Nic Sestaret, who is a former French International and Exeter Chiefs player, said: “This was an outstanding two days of 7’s rugby from the players who played with a real passion and determination.”

Coach Tim Thompson said: “We had a fantastic two days of rugby with a group of boys who not only have talent, but also the determination to keep pushing and dig deep when it gets tough. They should be proud of themselves and I’m looking forward to coaching them at U15 level next season.”

Lee Glaser, headmaster of Taunton School, said: “I am so proud of this group of boys who have given their all to the cause. They are outstanding young men and have been superbly coached by Nic Sestaret and Tim Thompson. The future of rugby at Taunton School is very bright.

Group stage results:

Taunton 41 v 7 Gordon’s School
Taunton 48 v 0 Birkdale School
Taunton 19 v 5 St John’s School, Leatherhead
Taunton 33 v 10 Devonport High School for Boys

Photo credit: Photo-fit.net

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