9 August 2023
Three events into the 2023 Rugby Sevens season, Saint Charles College has proved itself to be one of the powerhouses of the game in KwaZulu-Natal. They’ve played 13 matches and won 11 of them.
In fact, only Hilton College, with two wins, has managed to defeat Saints, although Saints were comfortable 30-15 winners over Hilton on Gilfillan Field in their very first match of the season.
Sevens is a very demanding game: it demands supreme fitness, excellent skills, and surefire tackling, and the boys from Pietermaritzburg have been ticking those boxes almost every time they take the field.
Runners-up
Most recently, this past weekend at Hillcrest High, they finished as runners-up to Hilton College, recording four victories in five taxing matches.
Saint Charles opened with a runaway 52-0 victory over Ashton International. Then, in a potential banana skin fixture against Clifton College, they recorded another convincing win, taking the honours 36-12.
In their third outing, against Voortrekker, they brushed aside their fellow Pietermaritzburg school 47-0.
Next up was a big challenge from Michaelhouse for a place in the final of the event. It was an evenly contested battle, but Saints outlasted the boys from Balgowan 24-15 to secure their spot in the title-decider.
Previously, they had also edged ‘House when the teams met in the Clifton Sevens at the Riverside Sports Club, winning 12-7. In the same event, they withstood a stiff challenge from the Michaelhouse 2nd side, taking a 26-17 win.
Up against Michaelhouse’s great rivals, Hilton College, in the final, Saint Charles came up narrowly short, going down by 19-24. A great run by Saints and a good win for Hilton College.
Under-15 success
There was further cause for celebration for Saints, too, when their under-15 A team matched the performance of the 1st side at Hillcrest High by finishing as runners-up in their section.
On Saturday, 12 August, the Saint Charles College Sevens take place on Old Orchards. No doubt, the hosts will be out to demonstrate their excellence in the format, and to take one more step forward to a title on their home ground.
Saint Charles 1st VII 2023 Results
Hillcrest High Sevens
Saint Charles 52-0 Ashton International
Saint Charles 36-12 Clifton College
Saint Charles 47-0 Voortrekker
Saint Charles 24-15 Michaelhouse
Saint Charles 19-24 Hilton College
Clifton College Sevens
Saint Charles 26-17 Michaelhouse 2nd
Saint Charles 0-24 Hilton College
Saint Charles 12-7 Michaelhouse
Saint Charles 22-12 Kearsney
Saint Charles 17-14 Westville Boys’ High
Hilton College Sevens
Saint Charles 30-15 Hilton College
Saint Charles 55-0 Voortrekker
Saint Charles 30-5 Kearsney College
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