SEDBERGH SUPER TENS

Fresh from the highs of the Rosslyn Park victory just a day earlier Sedbergh set about competing for an incredible treble of wins at the Sedbergh National Super Tens. No Sedbergh side in the history of the School & Football Club had ever had an unbeaten season in the first term & then gone on to win the Rosslyn Park 7s & National Tens in one season.

Also, no Sedbergh side had ever won the Tens in back to back years, so there was a lot of motivation going into the final tournament of the year for the players. Two early wins over Abingdon & Barnard Castle prepared Sedbergh for the big challenge in the day one group against Stamford.

Sedbergh’s speed, accuracy & fitness proved far too much for the opposition to handle as they cruised to victory in an outstanding team performance. The last match on day one against Seaford again was one way traffic as a confident Sedbergh squad advanced through to the cup on the back of an outstanding individual display from the mercurial James Magee.

On day two, three matches stood between Sedbergh & their dream finish. In a tough draw Sedbergh dismissed an impressive RGS High Wycombe 38-7 and then faced Kirkham for the second time in three days in a semi final clash. Sedbergh came out firing from the first whistle putting Kirkham under huge pressure.

The physicality and accuracy of the home side was again too much as they raced out to a 21-0 lead after two brilliant tries from the impressive Sam Higginson and Bevan Rodd. Immediately after the break Alex Mullins pounced on a Kirkham error to score and secure victory and a place in the final against Brighton College.

In front of a big crowd Sedbergh ran out on Busk one for the final time as a squad on the edge of history. A brilliant Brighton College took an early lead when they broke tackles to score next to the posts. Under pressure Sedbergh answered with two brilliant tries of their own. The first was from Rodd after a superb break from the elusive Josh Hodge and the second was an outstanding individual try from Cameron Redpath who broke & then dummied the fullback to score.

The second half performance was all grit & determination as they literally ran on empty to defend their lead. Brighton threw everything they had at the home side who eventually leaked a score with five minutes remaining. With a 14-12 lead Sedbergh clung on desperately in defence with time running out. A lineout was won on the Sedbergh line and a very composed attacking set around the ruck ran out any remaining time on the clock.

Fittingly Captain Redpath had the final say when he kicked the ball dead to win the match. With bodies lying both on the floor & being embraced all around the field the delight was plain to see. The Sedbergh players had given everything physically & mentally in what was a simply incredible week.

The entire squad had put their bodies on the line in pursuit of greatness & in doing so once again created history. They had done what no Sedbergh squad before them had achieved. They had left a legacy like no other within the SSFC.