On Friday 6th February the U18 Boys’ rugby team attended the annual Paris International Schools’ Rugby Sevens competition at Rueil-Malmaison Rugby Club. Despite the weather causing challenging conditions, we were pleased that all matches were able to go ahead as planned.
The team’s first match was against the International School of Brussels, long-term favourites of the competition. It was a hard-fought contest in tough conditions. However, teamwork and preparation leading up to this competition paid off tremendously, with the BSP winning 26-0.
The team’s second match – this time against the American School of London – provided further challenges, with elements of ill discipline resulting in players receiving yellow cards and reducing the squad’s overall support on the field. However, with tremendous heart and a fantastic rallying spirit, the remaining players were able to maintain their lead and finish the game, winning comfortably by two tries.
The team’s third and final group stage game was against Zürich International School. ZIS team had more than enough players to produce two 14-man squads for this competition. The BSP played against the second of these two squads. Once again, elements of inexperience crept into the team. An initial lead by Zürich caused an uphill battle that resulted in a 16-16 draw at the final whistle.
However, the previous two wins and a significant score advantage – along with bonus points – meant that the BSP progressed through to the finals against the winners of pool one. As chance would have it, this was Zürich International School’s first squad.
The final saw every possible weather condition arrive in the 14 minutes of play. However, all players supported each other and worked hard to the very end. The BSP narrowly lost by just two points…
All of the players were very happy to come away from this competition with silver medals and it sets the team up perfectly for our end of season finals in London in March.
Significant credit must go to two of our youngest players. E, who – whilst unable to stay for the entire tournament – had a significant impact on the team through some outstanding play in the centre. Although the day was stolen by debutant L, who not only scored seven tries throughout the entire day but received the accolade of Player of the Tournament. This is an excellent start to the rugby careers of both of these young men. We look forward to seeing them both in London next month. Hopefully the team will go one stage further to claim gold at the ISAA finals for the first time in the School’s history.
A special mention should also go to Mr B, the School’s Director of Sport, who organises this tournament every year. It is one of the largest and most sought-after Rugby 7s tournaments on the international circuit.
