Double honours as Tonbridge teams achieve ISFA Football and Rugby Sevens success 

The School celebrated a remarkable sporting double as the First XI football team won the ISFA Football Trophy final and the Under 16s Rugby Sevens triumphed in the Colts Plate competition at Rosslyn Park on the same day (Thursday 23 March).

Following successful seasons for both the First and Second football XIs, each winning their respective titles in the Southern Independent School Lent Term League, attention turned to the inaugural ISFA Trophy Final against Cheadle Hulme, played at Burnham FC.

Inigo Pullen (PH5) put Tonbridge in front in the first half. With the sides locked at 1-1 late into the game, Tonbridge were awarded a penalty which Ollie Grant (PS5) tucked away, with Byron Doughty (WW4) tapping in a cross from Alex Belliere (CH5) to secure the 3-1 win. Goalkeeper Zach Johnson (CH4) had a fine match, making a series of important saves.

Adam Sixsmith, Master in Charge of Football, said: “It has been an outstanding season, with the First XI achieving their first ever league and cup double and remaining unbeaten in the process. All credit must go to this talented squad for the entertaining football they have played, as well as the resilience they have shown to make it through to the latter stages of both competitions. We are all very proud of their achievement.”

Tonbridge had several squads competing at the Rosslyn Park National School Sevens, with the U16s carrying a certain weight of expectation as the number one team in the national rankings heading into the tournament. The boys qualified for Day Two with relative ease, but defeat in a Cup group game to Dulwich College (21-28) saw them competing in the Colts Plate final against Epsom College, a fixture they won 21-17.

“The U16s finished their season on a high, taking four trophies from four tournaments,” Rhys Crane, Master in Charge of Rugby, said. “Winning 22 out of 23 Sevens fixtures throughout the season is unheard of and the future is very bright as they now transition from red and white to the black and white of senior rugby.”

The U14s and U15s Sevens teams had respectable seasons, both learning some valuable lessons along the way. The U14s gave an especially good account of themselves at Rosslyn Park, only narrowly missing out on qualification from their group.

The U18s headed to Rosslyn Park having made the Cup final at Worth Sevens, and put in some excellent performances to reach Day Two. They then defeated Stowe before also beating tournament favourites Nelson College from New Zealand, in a thrilling game in front of a large crowd. The boys went on to beat St Paul’s School, but injuries over the two days took their toll and their Sevens journey came to an end in the Vase Quarter Final.

Mr Crane added: “On the Schools Sevens circuit, Tonbridge teams are renowned for their tenacity and ability to punch above their weight, and this season was one to be remembered for just that.

“All of our Sevens squads can be extremely proud of their efforts throughout the term and have firmly put Tonbridge School Sevens back on the map. The future looks very bright in the coming years, and we are extremely excited to see much this group can develop.”

Above: Victory in the ISFA Trophy Final.

Below, from top: The U16s celebrate with the Colts Plate, and the U18s line up at Rosslyn Park.