Taunton School’s U14 rugby sevens team have been named as the second best team in the country.
The team beat off competition from 120 schools at the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens tournament, going on an unbeaten run to the final before losing to Whitgift School.
The road to the final saw the Somerset school beat Gordon’s School, Birkdale School, St John’s School (Leatherhead) and Devonport High School for Boys in the group stages, scoring 141 points across all four matches. This was followed by a victory over Cardiff High in an elimination round, and wins against Bishop’s Stortford High School and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in the quarter and semi-finals respectively.
Barney Dietz, team captain, said: “I am really proud of the achievement from everyone in the squad. We left everything on the pitch and could not have given any more. I could not have asked for anything more of any of the players.”
Nic Sestaret, director of rugby and former Exeter Chiefs player and French international, praised the team: “This was an outstanding two days of 7’s rugby from the players who played with a real passion and determination.”
Tim Thompson, the team’s coach, commented: “We had a fantastic two days of rugby with a group of boys who not only have talent, but also the determination to keep pushing and dig deep when it gets tough. They should be proud of themselves and I’m looking forward to coaching them at U15 level next season.”
Lee Glaser, headmaster of Taunton School, said: “I am so proud of this group of boys who have given their all to the cause. They are outstanding young men and have been superbly coached by Nic Sestaret and Tim Thompson. The future of rugby at Taunton School is very bright.”