Monmouth School for Boys played some exhilarating rugby and defeated Hartpury College as they finished runners-up at the Christ College Brecon Invitation Sevens yesterday (Sunday 25th February).

The boys stormed through their group and thrashed, among others, Bristol Grammar School and Hereford Cathedral School.

Monmouth continued their march towards the final, toppling Campion School, Essex, in the quarter-finals before dispatching much-fancied Hartpury College in the last-four.

The Monmouth side put up a brave fight in the final before going down to Millfield School, Somerset.

Monmouth began the Brecon competition superbly, topping Group B after wins against Bristol Grammar School, 31-0, Hereford Cathedral School, 35-0, Whitchurch High School, 26-17, and Cathedral School, Llandaff, 29-0.

The Monmouth boys met Campion School, who had finished runners-up to Millfield School in Group A, in the quarter-finals and soared to a 26-5 success.

Monmouth sealed an exciting and memorable 12-10 victory against Hartpury College to book their spot in the competition’s showpiece final.

Facing a strong Millfield team in the final, Monmouth’s players were not fazed and put in a good performance before eventually slipping to a 31-12 defeat.

Monmouth School for Boys’ Under-14s won the bowl competition at the West of England Sevens after victories against Bryanston, 24-5, and Plymouth College, 12-10.

The Under-16s secured three wins and three defeats in a tough group at the same event.