The tournament favourites, Jolin Fisher, Emanuals in the Windsor Sevens, were the next obstacle; but Duke's had settled now and a Sanderson try, converted by Lambert, was out to 6-4, before Maile (who had replaced the injured Jones) sealed it with a fine try under the posts after a gruelling match.

In the final Solly went desperately close to scoring straight from the kick-off, but the chance was lost when the excellent Emanuals defence, to him before the. Support. Then Duke's continued. to play some positive sevens before two bad errors gave the ball away and we conceeded a 12 point lead.

Despite pulling back to 12-6 in the first minute of the second half, after Marshall had been awarded a penalty try, when scythed down football style when sure to score from a kick ahead, looked like their lead and in fact increased it 18-6 to run out worthy winners.

Our Rosslyn Park programme once again ensured that we found in a difficult group. The team began confidently after out past successes by beating a hard Monmouth team, past holders of the trophy, 14-10.

Duke's then faced a rather average Ipswich side, which winning convincingly by 22-0. The scene was now set of the group against Loughborough GS, However our opponents met a rather indifferent team, and after being 0-6 down, they tuned out 7-6 victors by a try and converted penalty under the posts.

After this defeat our only hopes were for Monmouth to beat Loughborough, but we had no such luck and Loughborough went through to the stage the same night, eventually becoming quarter finalists. The next morning Duke's met and beat a weak Leighton Park 26-4 in a meaningless game.

However apart from the Rosslyn Park failure, it has been a good season for school sevens. The team's thanks go to Mr Buck and Mr Crisp, our coaches, all the people who volunteered to help, and our reserves in ensuring a strong squad. Our thanks also go to Clive Mortimer for making a fine contribution to the Wandsworth team.

Teams:

KENT:
Bob Baker, Andy Marshall, Mike Lambert, Paul Solly, Ian Jenner, Clive Mortimer, Chris Maile,
Reserves: Mike Phipps, Mike Dearing

STREATHAM:
Bob, Andy, Mike L, Paul S, Paul. J (Replaced by Chris) Barry, Ian.
Reserves: Mike P, Chris, Clive

ROSSLYN:
Bob, Andy, Mike L, Paul S, Barry, Chris,
Reserves: Clive, Mike P, Paul S,