27 November 2019
Last Friday Abingdon Prep hosted their 9th annual Under 13 Rugby Sevens Festival. There were several schools in attendance including; Pitsford, Cothill House, St Andrew’s, Pinewood and Beachborough, as well as our own A and B VII. In line with the RFU regulations the festival was run as a ‘waterfall’ festival with four teams in each of the two groups.
Despite being beaten in their first two matches, the Abingdon Prep Bs grew in confidence and showed great character as the competition progressed. In their final pool match against Pinewood ‘B’ they scored four unanswered tries and won by 24 – 0. In the 5th/6th place play-off match, despite putting up a competitive performance, they lost by 7 – 35. However, they will have gained a great deal from the experience.
The Abingdon Prep As won all of their pool matches convincingly, conceding just one try along the way. Wins against Pinewood ‘A’ (26 – 0), Beachborough (21 – 7) and Pitsford (38 – 0) set them up for the 1st and 2nd place play-off against a very physical Cothill outfit.
The team knew that they had to play to the edges of the pitch to stretch and tire the opposition. However, possession in the first five minutes of the game was scarce but Abingdon Prep soaked up the pressure and defended their lines gamely. Once possession was established Abingdon Prep ‘A’ scored three unanswered tries in the first half. Both teams had opportunities to score in the second half but both defences remained firm. In the last minute of the game, Finn danced through the Cothill defence to secure victory by 28 – 0.
Both Abingdon Prep teams showed great character during the afternoon and the boys were a credit to themselves and the school.
U13 ‘A’ Squad: Jude (Capt.), William, Freddie, Mikey, Alex, Finn, Angus, James and Xavier
U13 ‘B’ Squad: George (Capt.), Tom, Ned, Luke, William, Fabian, Sam, Billy, and Archie
U13 A VII
vs. Pinewood ‘A’ – Won 26 – 0
vs. Beachborough – Won 21 – 7
vs. Pitsford – Won 38 – 0
vs. Cothill – Won 28 – 0 (1st & 2nd Place Play-Off)
U13 B VII
vs. St. Andrew’s – Lost 0 – 24
vs. Cothill – Lost 0 – 28
vs. Pinewood ‘B’ – Won 24 – 0
vs. Beachborough – Lost 7 – 35 (5th & 6th Place Play-Off)
