Dunottar School Hosts the Inaugural Howden U18 Surrey Sevens Tournament
6th March 25
On Wednesday, 5th March, Dunottar School had the privilege of hosting the very first Howden U18 Surrey Sevens tournament, a new event on the Surrey rugby scene. Supported by the British & Irish Lions and Rosslyn Park 7s sponsor Howden, this tournament brought together 40 schools for a day of exhilarating rugby action at Old Reigatian RFC, the home of Dunottar School Sport.
The teams were divided into two categories: “Established” and “Emerging,” based on their Saturday block programme performance. The event was an exciting showcase of talent, with 12 teams battling for the Established Cup and 28 schools vying for victory in the Emerging category.
Emerging Competition
The Emerging category featured a dynamic blend of 1st VIIs, 2nd VIIs and schools playing rugby on different days of the week. The competition was fierce across the seven groups, with each school bringing its own unique mix of quality, pace and power to the pitch.
The Cup final was an absolute thriller between hosts Dunottar School and Cranleigh 2nd VII. After a quick try from Cranleigh, Dunottar fought back to lead 26-21 in the dying moments of the game. Cranleigh equalised with the final play but a missed kick for the win led to a “golden point” scenario. Both teams exchanged passes and displayed staunch defence but Dunottar’s counterattack led to an unforgettable 80m try, sealing their first-ever county Cup title.
In the Bowl, St John’s Leatherhead 2nd VII triumphed over St Joseph’s College in an intense match, while in the Vase, Hinchley Wood secured an impressive win. The Plate final was a hard-fought battle between Halliford School and Wallington Grammar School, with Wallington emerging victorious after converting both of their tries.
Winners (Emerging):
Cup: Dunottar School
Plate: Wallington Grammar School
Vase: Hinchley Wood
Bowl: St John’s Leatherhead 2nd VII
Established Competition
The Established category saw thrilling matchups from the very first whistle. Group A kicked off with a nail-biting encounter between KCS Wimbledon and Wimbledon College, with KCS Wimbledon narrowly edging out the win, 22-19. RGS Guildford 1st VII topped the group, defeating Trinity and both Wimbledon-based schools.
In Group B, Cranleigh 1st VII proved their dominance with an impressive 100-point performance, winning all three of their games. The Bishop Wand, John Fisher 1st VII, and St John’s Leatherhead 1st VII teams secured spots in the Cup, Plate, and Vase competitions, respectively.
Group C was a tightly contested affair, with Whitgift 1st VII, Dulwich College, and Epsom College 1st VII all finishing with two wins and one loss. The points difference ultimately determined the placement for the afternoon competitions, with Caterham School, who had kindly moved up a tier, displaying incredible resilience throughout the day.
Caterham School’s 1st VII triumphed in the Vase competition, while Epsom College 1st VII claimed victory in the Plate final, overcoming Dulwich College. However, it was the final of the Established Cup that truly stole the show. A repeat of the group game between Cranleigh and Bishop Wand saw the latter come from behind twice, clinching victory at the last moment with a dramatic final play. Bishop Wand’s determination and resilience shone through, securing their place as the champions.
Winners (Established):
Cup: Bishop Wand
Plate: Epsom College 1st VII
Vase: Caterham School 1st VII
Mr Wroblewski, Dunottar’s Director of Rugby said, “As the tournament organiser, it was an absolute pleasure to host so many talented teams on Wednesday. Seeing all the schools playing on the same pitches and showcasing their skills was truly special. Highlights for us included watching our boys excitedly support other teams they had heard about on the schools circuit, and receiving compliments from staff and players alike about the skill levels on display. A huge thank you to my staff, John Payton, the society referees and everyone who helped make this a fantastic day. We look forward to continuing to grow this tournament in the future.”
This event marks an exciting new chapter for Surrey rugby and Dunottar School is proud to have played a key role in its creation. We cannot wait to see how this tournament evolves in the coming years, inspiring more young athletes to showcase their talent on the rugby field.
