Super Sevens

9th March, 2010

On Wednesday 3rd March, Packwood hosted their Colts 7s tournament. 16 teams were entertained – although one cancelled on the day forcing a reshuffle and a Packwood B team were inserted at the last minute.

The A team started well winning their group matches against Lyndon, Altrincham and Sedbergh to reach the knockout stages of the tournament. The quarter final was a closely fought match but eventually a determined Kirkham Grammar was overcome 35-14. In the semi final Packwood came up against The Downs who have a formidable reputation as a 7s outfit. The match did not disappoint with both sides fighting hard but in the end Packwood prevailed and the final score after a wonderful 7s display was 26-5. The Winchester House boys were impressive winners of their semi final against a gallant Moulsford team and had not conceded a try all day. However, they were carrying a few injuries and, although there were only seven players in the entire Packwood A squad and therefore they had played every minute of every match, they managed to score 57 unanswered points in a very dominant performance. This was the first time Packwood had won the trophy for 18 years and it was thoroughly deserved.

To make a rather good day even more special the B team performed well in their group but lost all of their matches. Then with a creditable show of determination they really upped their game and it all started coming together. Magdalene House, very welcome first time visitors to Packwood, played with real character and resolve to reach the quarter final stage of the competition. However, the Packwood B team had regained their focus and played well to beat them moving on to a semi final encounter with Moor Park against whom they just managed to snatch a win in extra time. In the final a 27-0 defeat against Merchant Taylors in the group stage was reversed and the Packwood Bs ended up winning the Plate final 15-0 - a staggering turnaround.

Further success followed on Saturday 6th March when the Packwood Colts team travelled to The Downs to play in their tournament for the first time. In the group stages they played fluent, confident rugby against determined opposition from Wycliffe, Millfield and St John's and managed to win through to the semi final against Blundells. An emphatic victory in this match earned Packwood a place in the final against The Downs. Before the match the team was lavished with praise from referees, opposition parents, opposition coaches and Under 13 coaches who told their boys to watch this little Under 11 team to see how to play 7s properly. None of this praise was misplaced as 40 more points were scored and the first try against in the whole day. This was proper 7s played very, very well and the Packwood team were worthy winners.