The Roswell Rebels of Georgia defended their title in the Boys Premier Division this past weekend at Greer Christmas 7s hosted by the City of Greer in South Carolina.
The Raleigh Cobras (NC) also repeated as champions of the Girls Division, while tournament newcomers Westfield Shamrocks (IN) won the Boys Open Division. The tournament celebrated its fifth year with its largest field to date with teams coming from all over the country.
The highlight of the weekend was a huge matchup of unbeatens in the Boys Premier championship game. This game did not disappoint with a large crowd getting a great show of HS 7s rugby. Both Roswell and LaSalle College HS out of Pennsylvania were tested but unbeaten heading into the championship match.
The PA 7s state champs were playing some brilliant rugby combining strong defense with a creative attack.
In †he final, LaSalle jumped out to the lead early in a highly physical first half. LaSalle would stay patient in the face of disciplined defense from the Rebels and get the sole try of the first half. The half ended with LaSalle up 5-0 and the Rebels scrambling on defense.
The script would flip in the second half. It was the Rebels dominating possession and LaSalle’s turn to bring the hard-hitting defense. Eventually Ardy Redmond was able to use his size and pace to break free down the sideline and score.
Toby Giles Knopp made the conversion and the match ended shortly after with the Rebels defending their title over LaSalle 7-5.
The Rebels were led by Harry and Ardy Redmond, twins and u18 camp invitees, Toby Giles Knopp, Nico du Plesis and Lachie McCormick. All five were members of the SC Barbarians team that performed so well recently at NY7s in the U18 Boys Premier Division.
