WINNING the Secure Trading 24/Sevens national competition is a dream come true, according to Ilkley head coach Rhys Morgan.

After qualifying via the regional play-off at London Irish, having missed out in the northern section, Ilkley headed to The Rec, home of Bath Rugby, with humble expectations, simply hoping to gain some valuable experience from some of the best amateur sevens sides in the country.

And after beating off all the opposition, Ilkley were able to complete the dream and triumph 19-12 over the Honey Badgers to lift the trophy.

Organised by the RFU, the Secure Trading 24/Sevens tournament is an exciting community sevens series that aims to grow rugby and increase participation among both men and women.

Bath Rugby played host to the final of both the men’s and women’s competitions, all of whom had to beat the best in their region to progress.

And coach Morgan could not contain his elation at seeing the club lift the Secure Trading 24/Sevens trophy.

He said: “We’re absolutely over the moon about being here, not quite sure it’s happening really, to be honest.

“We were unable to qualify from the north so we had to qualify the hard way. We had to qualify down at London Irish so there was a lot of effort and a lot of travelling put in just to get here, which doesn’t come cheaply but the fans of the club and everyone involved has helped chip in and get us here.

“We’re a humble side from a small club so to come here and win is an immense feeling. We weren’t even sure we’d get to be here so to then win it is a dream come true.

“I’m really chuffed for the boys, it’s a sensational occasion and a platform for the boys to perform and there’s some people here who might take a look at them.”

As the sevens game continues to expand following the success of the Great Britain side at last year’s Olympic Games, Morgan believes the RFU-run tournament is a great platform for young players.

He said: “It does nothing but encourage the skills and really brings them on as players and their levels of their stepping and their passing.

“I hope it pushes these skills into their 15s game.”

To win the competition, Ilkley won five matches on finals day.

They got off to a good start with a 31-10 win over Fijian Knights and followed up with a crushing 43-0 victory against Nomads.

Their last group game saw them take on Honey Badgers - the side they would meet again in the final -and it proved to be a gripping encounter.

Ilkley won the match 20-19 thanks to a last minute try from their youngest player, 17-year-old Blake Morgan.

The Dalesmen took on Samurai Bulldogs in the semi-finals and they emerged triumphant 26-17.

The final was a close fought affair. Honey Badgers, who had beaten Samurai Blues in an enthralling semi-final, took an early lead with an unconverted try.

Play became scrappy as the heavens opened but JH Johnson put his side Honey Badgers responded with a converted try to lead 12-7 at the break.

Ben Magee proved to be the star man as he scored twice in a tense second half to give his side a 19-12 win.

His second try came in the closing minutes with his side clinging on to a 14-12 lead.

It was the decisive score and one that confirmed Ilkley as national champions.

Secure Trading 24/Sevens, is an exciting grassroots sevens competition run by England Rugby. For more information on the Secure Trading 24/Sevens series and ways to get involved in rugby sevens, go to www.englandrugby.com/sevens/