The 31st annual St Joseph’s College Rugby Festival saw Brighton College capture the De La Salle Trophy at the weekend, writes Angus Savage.

East Anglian Daily Times: Tom Williams in action for for St Joseph's. Picture:SEANA HUGHESTom Williams in action for for St Joseph's. Picture:SEANA HUGHES

The south coast side, which last year had Harlequins’ sensation Marcus Smith at the helm, lost in dramatic circumstances to Cranleigh in 2016, drawing 10-10 in the final but losing on try count back.

This year they faced the most successful side in the tournament’s history, Millfield School, who have produced current England internationals Chris Robshaw, Mako Vunipola, and Jonathan Joseph, in the final.

East Anglian Daily Times: John Fisher School in action at St Jo's. Picture: SEANA HUGHESJohn Fisher School in action at St Jo's. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

But Brighton were unfazed by such history, putting in one of the most sensational final performances in this tournament’s history, leading 31-0 at half time and finishing 38-12 victors.

Home side St Joseph’s College enjoyed a successful weekend too. They won three out of three on the opening day and faced a tough cup group on Sunday, with Millfield, Merchiston Castle, and RGS Newcastle for company.

East Anglian Daily Times: Wakefield face St Peters (in yellow) at St Jo's. Picture:SEANA HUGHESWakefield face St Peters (in yellow) at St Jo's. Picture:SEANA HUGHES

Early defeats to RGS Newcastle and Scotsmen Merchiston Castle ended St Joseph’s title ambitions but, in front of a passionate home crowd, they secured a memorable result in their final game of the day, beating eventual finalists Millfield 10-5.

St Joseph’s Director of Sport, Anthony O’Riordan, felt the tournament had once again lived up to its history. He said: “It has been an outstanding success across the board, with some great rugby played by all teams.

East Anglian Daily Times: Whitchurch (in blue) play John Fisher. Picture: SEANA HUGHESWhitchurch (in blue) play John Fisher. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

“For us at St Joseph’s it has been great, winning all three games on the opening day to reach the Cup stage for the first time in three years. Beating Millfield in our last game was a real achievement and we are just really proud of the boys.”

It was a sentiment shared by all, with good team play and exciting rugby the order of the weekend. Alongside Brighton, QEGS Wakefield also picked up silverware, beating Eltham College to win the Plate, while Brighton secured a clean sweep of personal awards - Toby Smith winning Player of the Tournament and Jon Searle Try of the Tournament.

East Anglian Daily Times: Crowds watch on at St Jo's College. Picture: SEANA HUGHESCrowds watch on at St Jo's College. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

The Festival, one of the highlights of the Suffolk sporting calendar, is regarded as one of the very best tournaments in schoolboy rugby.

East Anglian Daily Times: St Jo's Rugby Festival is one of the best school rugby events in the country. Picture: SEANA HUGHESSt Jo's Rugby Festival is one of the best school rugby events in the country. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Newcastle tangle with Merchiston (in blue) . Picture:SEANA HUGHESNewcastle tangle with Merchiston (in blue) . Picture:SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: St Joseph's (in white) during their big win over eventual finalists Millfield. Picture: SEANA HUGHESSt Joseph's (in white) during their big win over eventual finalists Millfield. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: A Wakefield runner with the ball. Picture:SEANA HUGHESA Wakefield runner with the ball. Picture:SEANA HUGHES