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Welcome to our preview of this weekend’s Bryanston 7s. After the weather got the better of the Portsmouth 7s on the 10th this will be our first look at many of the South West Schools. Match for match Bryanston is perhaps one of the most competitive tournaments of the year and this year will be no different. We hope to see you there!
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Group A
Abingdon already have a tournament under their belts where they played very well at the Shiplake 7s. They lost narrowly to Radley in the semi-final but should be hitting their stride here. Millfield are sending their 2nd VII but it would be dangerous to right off their ambition. They have such strength in depth that they will be a threat in this group. SGS Filton, having entered their 2nd VII last year, this year bring their stongest side. They only lost three 7s games in total last season and two of those were to Welsh giants Coleg sir Gar. They may be favourites to lift the cup here. Taunton School will be looking to fare better this year than last when they were beaten by fellow group members SGS Filton in the plate quarter-final. Wellington School could be the surprise package in the group. They made the Semi-Final stage of the Christ College Sevens on Sunday and have serious pace out wide. We’re looking forward to watching them again.
Predicted Group Winners: SGS Filton
Group B
Canford School have had a tough year, but narrow losses to the excellent Marlborough College and Sherborne School shows their quality. They will be looking to build some momentum towards the Nationals where they are in a very winnable group. Portsmouth Grammar, whose own 7s tournament was a victim of the weather two weeks ago, play a very competitive fixture list and beat Millfield earlier in the season. In Wilcockson they have a pretty complete player and they could be the group dark horses. St Edwards, Cheltenham will be an unknown quantity that could surprise. A heavy loss to Hereford Cathedral School earlier in the year suggests they will find this group challenging. Truro School are a brilliant side well led by Toby Armstrong and enjoying a fantastic season. They went out of the Daily Mail cup at the quarter-final stage to Hampton who they will enjoy another crack at if both make the knockout stages here. Wellington College are always one of the strongest UK 7s sides and have qualified for the knockouts at the Nationals every year for the last 10 years. This will be our first look at the class of 2013 as they build towards Rosslyn Park.
Predicted Group Winners: Wellington College
Group C
Bicton College have some talented players at their disposal and the Budleigh Salterton side play a tough fixture list and won’t be intimidated by anyone in this group. They will meet the hosts and last years winners Bryanston School, who had a mixed showing at Christ College Brecon losing the quarter-final to The King's School, Worcester. They had players missing that weekend on club duty and with home advantage they may have more in the tank this weekend. Kings College, Taunton were swept aside by Bryanston at the quarter-final stage last year but they are always well organised and will be a threat in this group. They lost earlier in the season to group members Bicton College in the Daily Mail cup so will be looking to avenge that here. It will be fascinating to see Marlborough College in action for the first time this season. The Wiltshire College is having a great year, and have beaten Monmouth, fellow group members Bryanston, Wellington College, Cheltenham and Stowe. If they can translate that into 7s form they may go all the way. Skinners School have had a challenging season but always seem to put out a competitive 7s side and will be exciting to watch here.
Predicted Group Winners: Bryanston School
Group D
Brighton College have had a brilliant season with only one loss to Daily Mail semi-finalists Dulwich on their record. They will be well set up for 7s and have a recent win over a good Whitgift side. They have plenty of pace and will be dangerous. Clifton College have had an up and down year with good wins over Cheltenham College and St Edwards, Oxford whilst they lost to Bristol Grammar School. Sherborne School lost to fellow group members Brighton College last year but went on to make it as far as the semi-final where they lost to the eventual winners Bryanston. They had a great run in the Daily Mail cup but were beaten by Dulwich in the quarter-finals. They have a great side this year and have been steadily improving. The team that they would have played had they made the semi final of the Daily Mail is also in this group. Hampton School is having a great season but may have one eye on that Daily Mail semi-final. The London School have a great squad and if center Alex Taverner is playing he will cause any side problems. Bryanston 2nd VII will provide spirited competition for the other group members.
Predicted Group Winners: Brighton College
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