Making the Sevens magnificent: 60-point final thriller as QE celebrates tournament’s first half-century
After joining the 50th Annual QE Rugby Sevens at the last moment, Maidstone Grammar School went on to set the tournament alight, beating last year’s winners in a thrilling final.
The Kent school received their place less than two days before the event, after another school dropped out. They certainly made their mark, triumphing 31-29 over Ipswich School, who were going for the ‘double’, having won the U14 title last year.
QE’s own U14 squad acquitted themselves well, playing brilliantly in the group stages (in which Maidstone were one of their competitors) and reaching the Plate quarter-final.
And for the 50th year of an event which has long attracted some of the country’s best-known rugby schools, there was a special presentation for legend of QE rugby, David Maughan – the tournament’s founder and a highly respected former national coach who was QE’s Head of PE from 1974 to 2003.
Headmaster Neil Enright said: “It was a great day overall, with a very high quality of rugby played and a splendid atmosphere. The bonus was an exciting final worthy of our fiftieth-year tournament.
“Our U14 squad should be proud of their performance and it was lovely to see many of their parents cheering them on.
“It was also fitting to celebrate David Maughan’s stellar contribution to QE Sevens over its first half-century – what a record he has!”
Like the main Cup competition, the Plate contest was an exciting affair. Plate finalists Gordon’s School from Surrey were late entrants like Maidstone, promoted from the reserve list. Having knocked out the QE team in the quarter-final, they lost to Tonbridge School in the final. This meant that Tonbridge retained their Plate title from 2025.
In the group stages, the QE team won two of their matches and lost only to eventual tournament champions, Maidstone. They defeated Robert Clack School, from Barking and Dagenham borough, by 24-5, and eased out Norwich School 10-7, thus earning their progression to the Plate quarter-final, where they lost 26-0.
Director of Sport Jonathan Hart said: “Our QE line-up gave a real squad performance, ably led by captain Husain Jassim, and played some very good rugby.”
Marcus Ingal carried the ball brilliantly, his strength and speed making it very difficult for the opposition to stop him making significant yardage, ball in hand; Alex Fields-Bicar used his pace and footwork in the wider channels to finish off opportunities well; Rohan Mukherjee brought great physicality in attack and defence; and there was some good steering of the games from Andy Hasanaj, usually at first receiver.
Mr Maughan was presented with an engraved shield by the Headmaster in recognition of his founding of the tournament and the School’s appreciation for his ongoing support.
He has remained a constant presence at QE Sevens since his retirement back in 2003. He is also still seen in School most weeks, attending rugby and cricket for the lower years and also rarely missing a First XV game. He managed England U16s for a decade beyond his retirement from QE.
Mr Hart thanked: inspiresport, who sponsor the tournament; the referees; the catering team and Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s helpers; pupil helpers from Year 7, who faithfully delivered the scores from each pitch back to the operations hub; first aid crews; supporters from all schools; and, of course, his own PE department, including Head of Rugby Ollie Di-Lieto.
The QE U14 (Year 9) squad was:
- Husain Jassim (captain)
- Rohan Mukherjee
- Saami Mansur
- Alfie Enderby
- Marcus Ingal
- Emile Uju
- Andy Hasanaj
- Jerry Ju
- Ishaan Bhosale
- Alex Fields-Bicar
- Leon L. Kariuki
- Aryamann Wadhwani Sharma
- Raphael Gbadebo
Coach: PE teacher Sam Marks (who is also their Head of Year).
Click on the thumbnails to view the images.
The 50th Annual QE Barnet Rugby Sevens Tournament
