X-Wales rugby captain Paul Thorburn said he was delighted to come back to Hereford Cathedral School (HCS) to witness the national Marches Sevens tournament.

Thorburn, who still holds the record for the longest successful penalty conversion in an international test at over 70 yards, was the special guest at last Sunday's annual festival.

"It was lovely to see some of my old school friends after leaving 34 years ago," said Thorburn.

"This tournament has become of the biggest events in the UK, which is great.

"I have come back to a couple of the events, but this is the first time in about 10 years.

"We weren't a great rugby playing school when I was involved, but the years preceding that, they did particularly well.

"My team did win the Plate final in 1981, so had mixed fortunes.

"It's a bit of a special occasion and it's great to see so many schools taking part.

"The good thing about sevens is it's free flowing and open, which you don't perhaps see in a 15-a-side game.

"There are some great schools, with some traditional English and Welsh schools here."

Thorburn is one of a number of players who went on to greater things after taking part in the Marches Sevens.

Others include Welsh stars Jamie Roberts and George North and current England captain Chris Robshaw.

HCS won their group following wins against Sir Thomas Riches, Shrewsbury and RGS Worcester.

But the school were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Worth, who recorded a 19-10 victory.

Will Butler struck early for HCS and he soon added another try to put his school 10-0 up.

But Worth powered their way back into the game to level the score by half time.

The West Sussex School added another try shortly after the break before adding another.

HCS's B team lost their opening game to Barnard Castle, but re-grouped to win their next match against Bro Morgannwg 28-5 thanks to two tries each from Ali Milne and Shaun Meredith.

The side lost the group to Glantaff, but qualified for a quarter-final Bowl encounter against Malvern.

Despite Steffan Growcatt going over twice in the second half, Glantaff won 26-12.

A total of 32 teams competed in the tournament, which saw Millfield prevail against Worth in the final to win the cup for the 13th time.

Millfield's Josh Bayliss was also named player of the tournament, while Blundells won the Plate after beating Barnard Castle 17-7.

The Bowl went to Old Swinford Hospital, who overcame Malvern College.