Cardiff and Vale College Rugby Academy tackles established names at Rosslyn Park Sevens

Cardiff and Vale College’s Rugby Academy has come fourth in the world’s largest schools rugby tournament – HSBC the Rosslyn Park Sevens in north London.

Some 750 teams from schools and colleges from across the UK took part in nearly 2,000 matches over 23 pitches for the contest. CAVC’s Rugby Academy played eight matches and won six of them, scoring 27 tries and 19 conversions.

The Rugby Academy triumphed over teams from schools, some with well-established and renowned rugby programmes of their own: Barnard Castle, Chislehurst and Sidcup School, Harrow, Hartpury College, Millfield School and St Joseph’s.

The Pool N and Cup Pool winners were only defeated twice – by Bedford College in the cup pool and by Brighton College in the semi-finals. Seventeen-year-old Sport student Dafydd Smith from Penarth was named Cardiff and Vale College Coach’s Player of the Tournament.

CAVC Director of Rugby Martyn Fowler said: “For the boys to come fourth in the biggest schools tournament is a fantastic achievement. The Rugby Academy really gave it their all – we are extremely proud of them.”

CAVC Rugby Academy provides a platform for young, dedicated students who have an interest in performance and elite level rugby. It places a strong emphasis on balancing sporting performance with education achievement with CAVC supporting both.

CAVC works in partnership with Cardiff Blues and members of its Rugby Academy benefit from training and playing home games on the hallowed turf of Cardiff Arms Park.