April 29, 2008

Sutton & Epsom came out on top in the finals of the Surrey Under 21 Cup as the competition celebrated its second season of increased participation.

The competition takes its lead from the RFU’s Go Play Rugby campaign to create better links to clubs for players in the 17 to 21 age group who might move away from the game when they go into employment, higher education or gap years.

The depth of talent available in Surrey is well illustrated by the number of England players who have come through the county’s youth ranks.

In England’s RBS 6 Nations win over Ireland in March 2008, eight players of the squad of 22 had played for Surrey at club, school or county level: George Chuter (Trinity School), Danny Cipriani (Whitgift School & Rosslyn Park FC), Nick Easter (Dulwich College), Paul Hodgson (Glyn Tech & Sutton & Epsom), Paul Sackey (John Fisher School), Simon Shaw (Godalming College & Cranleigh RFC), Andrew Sheridan (Dulwich College) and Jonny Wilkinson (Farnham RUFC).

There were also four Surrey players in England’s Under 20 Grand Slam side of 2008: Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Mark Odejobi (London Wasps), Tom Sargeant and Seb Stegmann (both Harlequins).

Last season’s Surrey Under 21 Cup comprised four club sides from the Mole Valley cluster but it was extended for 2007-08 to clubs across the county and 12 sides entered regional rounds over the Christmas period.

This culminated in three finals staged at Dorking RFC, with Sutton & Epsom carrying off the Surrey U21 Cup with an 8-3 win over KCS Old Boys.

Hosts Dorking won the Surrey U21 Plate, 12-3 against Old Reigatian, and Croydon took the Surrey U21 Bowl with a 19-7 defeat of Cobham.

“The event was attended by more than 500 people and they all enjoyed the day,” said Martin Mactaggart, the RFU’s Surrey rugby development officer.

“Several clubs have mentioned that the competition has helped them keep in touch with players in the 17 to 21 age bracket and also developed their junior players to move into the senior set-up.”

An additional four clubs have expressed an interest in taking part next season as the Surrey Under 21 Cup continues to grow.

Surrey Under 21 Cup finals 2007-08:

Cup: Sutton & Epsom 8 KCS Old Boys 3

Plate: Dorking 12 Old Reigatian 3

Bowl: Croydon 19 Cobham 7

Ends