Marist College has set its sights on national glory after confirming its place as the best sevens team in Canberra when it beat Erindale College last week.
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Despite having just eight players, Marist beat Erindale 34-22 at Canberra Stadium and will compete on the Gold Coast in October as the No.1-ranked ACT side.
It was the third season Marist had finished on top.
But making the achievement more poignant this year was the fact the school had to contend with a player drain to be crowned champion.
Playing commitments in the regular 15-a-side competition meant Marist had just one reserve in the fast-paced sevens match as the curtain-raiser for the ACT Brumbies' clash with the Durban Sharks.
Marist's first, second and third XV teams were in Sydney playing against St Gregory's College.
And most of the players who stayed in the capital for the sevens final also played a 15-a-side match just 24 hours earlier.
Coach Paul Mead was confident Marist would not suffer from fatigue if the players could control possession.
''We've certainly upped the ante with our sevens program because we feel it adds to the overall rugby at the school,'' Mead said.
''We've got a young group, but they've done a great job to finish on top given the players we had away.
''We had a busy 24 hours trying to get it together but now the challenge is to reselect for the nationals.''
After a tight opening, Marist streaked away after half-time in the final.
Erindale scored a late try, but it was too late to make a charge for the lead.
While Marist won the boys' division, Lake Ginninderra secured a tight 12-10 victory over Bega High in the girls' final.
Marist captain and regular first-XV scrumhalf Joe Powell was a standout. He remained in Canberra for the final at the request of the coach Mead and the decision paid off.
Powell has battled injuries for the past two years and missed the national competition.
The Year 12 student broke his arm in 2010 and his season was ruined by a snapped tendon in his finger.
He hopes he can remain injury free to join his teammates on the Gold Coast as they aim to be the best team in Australia.
Marist finished fifth at last year's nationals.
''We're aiming for that top two now, we're pretty fit and we'll be strong when we've got everyone back,'' Powell said.
AT A GLANCE
Boys: Semi-finals: Marist College 10 bt Griffith High 7; Erindale College 17 drew Carroll College 17 (Erindale win on first try). Final: Marist College 34 bt Erindale College 22. Girls: Final: Lake Ginninderra College 12 bt Bega High 10.