Schools Rugby
Burchnall’s Berkhamsted Bonanza
By Tony Simpson
Berkhamsted Principal Mark Steed and Graham Burchnall (left) celebrate Graham receiving his VIP tie at this year’s Daily Mail Finals day at Twickenham. Making the presentation was his old school rugby master in charge and 1st XV coach from Oakham school – Brian Welford. Graham’s award recognised his excellent work in starting and developing the Berkhamsted 7s, which began 21 years ago with eight teams. The last tournament saw 48 teams compete in the U13 section. The girls’ competition introduced with eight teams six years ago now features up to 24 with a section A and B. Schools from far afield have competed, including some from France, Canada and Wales and 100 different schools have taken part over the years. The tournament has flourished because every team is guaranteed four matches and because of sponsorship from local companies and Samurai International. Often seen as a warm up for the Rosslyn Park 7s, the last event’s finalists were the same although the result was reversed at Berkhamsted, with Warwick beating Whitgift.
New National Festival Winner
By Hugh Godwin
There was a new winner of the Cronk-Cunis National Under 21 rugby festival Cup on Monday (August 31) when St Benedict’s, Ealing, defeated Millfield 27-0 in the final. The Cup final brought the curtain down on a magnificent day of rugby at KCS Old Boys & Old Blues ground in Motspur Park, Surrey, which saw 46 teams of schools old boys’ Under 21 teams from all around England compete from 10.15am until 7pm on eight pitches. Over 850 players took part in the festival’s five competitions and, with almost 40 hours of rugby being played in 75 matches, it is now the biggest 15-a-side rugby festival of adult rugby in the country. While the emphasis is on participation and enjoyment, the standard of rugby also appears to go up every year. St Benedict’s had looked likely winners from early in the day but were pushed extremely hard in their semi final against Dulwich, eventually winning 26-21 after extra time. Millfield reached the final after defeating Cranleigh in their semi-final. The Cup was presented to St Benedict’s captain Matt Davis by RFU President John Owen who continued the record of recent RFU presidents in attending this prestigious national event. In presenting the trophies, John Owen praised the organisation of the festival, now in its 13th year, and the important place it holds in the annual rugby calendar. “It is wonderful to see so many young rugby players enjoying the game, renewing old friendships and making new ones”, he said. “The organisers of the festival are to be congratulated on another hugely successful event.” The RFU’s London South regional delivery team supported the event, which gave a valuable and timely boost to the Play On campaign aimed at keeping players involved with rugby when they leave school for work or university. London South regional development manager Peter Macaulay and RDOs Jo Martin and Martin Mactaggart were present together with several of the team’s community rugby coaches. The winners and runners-up of the five U21s competitions were:- Cup Final: St Benedict’s, Ealing 27 Millfield 0 Plate Final: Portsmouth GS 10 Chislehurst & Sidcup GS 7 Bowl Final: John Fisher 17 Pangbourne College 7 Vase Final: King’s Taunton 13 Reigate GS 10 Shield Final: KCS Wimbledon 5 St John’s, Leatherhead 0 The Cronk-Cunis National Under 21 Rugby Festival has become a firm fixture in the rugby calendar and planning has already started for the 2010 event.
