Hartpury College from Gloucester, runners up in the HSBC Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens earlier this year, stunned West Country rivals Filton College today with a fantastic performance on the pitch at Twickenham to claim victory in the curtain raiser to the London Sevens, the penultimate leg of the HSBC Sevens World series.

As a celebration of HSBC’s sponsorship of the world largest schools sevens festival, the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School Sevens and as the first ever title sponsor of the HSBC Sevens World Series, the two teams that contested the final at Rosslyn Park were invited back to replay the game on the pitch at Twickenham.

In a hard fought match, Hartpury had to come back from a 10 point deficit following two tries by Filton’s Alex Davis early in the first half. By half-time, the Gloucester team had managed two tries themselves and led 12-10.

One more try followed in the second half, going the way of Hartpury, to end the match in Hartpury’s favour 17-10. A score-line that represented a reversal to the outcome in the final at Rosslyn Park which saw Filton College crowned 2011 Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens.

Supporting the players from the side-lines both teams had a visit from former World Cup winner and England winger Jason Robinson ahead of the match and current England coach Ben Ryan also watched from the tunnel.

Victorious Hartpury coach, Alan Martinovic said: “This is a great result for the team and although we lost the final of the Rosslyn Park Sevens, it’s nice to come here, play at Twickenham and get the win. Playing the curtain raiser at the London leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series was a really special opportunity for the school and the boys.”

George Taverner, first team coach for Filton added: “We are disappointed obviously not to have won today, but it was an exciting match and a once in a lifetime opportunity for the boys. We’ll go and enjoy the rest of the day and cheer on England now.”

For more information about the London Sevens, the penultimate leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series, visit www.irbsevens.com

HSBC and Rugby

HSBC is a long-term investor in rugby around the world and is committed, throughout its sponsorships,to the international growth of the game from grassroots to the top flight. As well as being the title sponsor of the IRB’s Sevens World Series, Asian 5 Nations and new Asian Sevens Series, the bank is the Principal Partner of the British and Irish Lions, and title sponsor of the Waratahs Super 15 team in Australia.

Throughout HSBC’s rugby sponsorships there is an important grassroots element from HSBC Rugby Festivals to kit donation to Coach Education programmes aimed at leaving a genuine legacy from the current HSBC Asian Rugby Football Union Coaching Tour happening in Asia.

In the build up to the Emirates Airline London Sevens, HSBC sponsored the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens, which included giving two teams the once in a lifetime opportunity to play a curtain raiser at Twickenham this weekend.

For further information contact:
Jonathan Steel, Fast Track
[email protected]
0207 593 5217 / 07775 698 097