After a fantastic weekend of schools rugby the midweek action takes over, with U18s and U17s in action.
All of the action is packed into a busy Wednesday, which features some huge head to heads in both age groups, as well as a bit of 7s as we build towards the 7s tournaments coming thick and fast across the country next month.
Wednesday 28th January
One of the biggest games of the day comes at Luctonians RFC where Hereford 6th form College host RGS Worcester. Hereford will be eager to get this one going after the cancellation of the Apple Cup last week and will surely be bursting to show their best, but RGS are going to be throwing everything at it too, which ought to make for a fantastic game.
Across in Wales there are some brilliant games too, particularly at Whitchurch High School, where the excellent Christ College Brecon are the visitors. Two outstanding teams. Meanwhile at U17 level Glantaf, the U18 Welsh champions, host Beechen Cliff, the U18 ACE champions. Two giants going head to head in what ought to be an epic.
Back in the West of England, there is more U17 action as St Peter’s Gloucester and Old Swinford Hospital meet, it should be a fantastic game of rugby – both groups have real potential. Meanwhile further north KES Birmingham look to bounce back from defeat to Bromsgrove on Friday as they host KES Aston, and they will doubtless be motivated after Friday. Meanwhile KES Camp Hill are at home against Queen Mary’s Grammar, and KES Stratford have a big game at home to Alcester Grammar.
In Shropshire, meanwhile, Shrewsbury 6th form College and Oswestry meet in a game that is usually a fantastic occasion. Further north, Manchester Grammar look to bounce back from a tough outing on Saturday when they host Steve Borthwick’s old school, Hutton Grammar, on Wednesday.
In Lancashire there is a fantastic fixture at Fylde RFC as Stonyhurst and Scarisbrick Hall go head to head. Both sides have been excellent at times this season, Stonyhurst looking like they are returning in the direction of former glory, Scarisbrick one of the fastest growing in the country, it should be a brilliant occasion.
Across the Pennines in Yorkshire, meanwhile, it is U17 action that grabs the attention. Woodhouse Grove are on the road at Rodillian Academy, a testing fixture, meanwhile Hill House welcome Pocklington, which has every chance of being utterly outstanding.
In Harrogate RGS Newcastle travel down from the North East, they take on Harrogate Grammar School. Going the other way, again at U17 level, are Scarborough College, who head up to Durham. Both sides have been excellent at U18 level, so it should be a good game at U17 too.
In Cumbria, arguably the biggest game of the day, and it’s an U17 game, as Sedbergh welcome Kirkham Grammar School. Over the last number of years these have been the two giants of the North of England, fixtures between one another are to be savoured. At U18 level this year Kirkham edged Sedbergh, how will it go at U18 level?
Back down in the South, and the East Midlands, Impington College and Samuel Whitbread Academy meet, two sides with close Northampton Saints links and two teams that ought to put on a real show on Wednesday.
In London there are some excellent fixtures, in the South West Fulham Boys host Glyn, which ought to be a fantastic game of rugby, likewise Gordon’s trip to Esher College, one to keep an eye on without doubt.
In South East London Hayes welcome Sir Joseph Williamson’s, which should be another good game, and there is a fantastic fixture at U17 level as Eltham College welcome Emanuel, two strong sides.
Towards Kent Wilson’s host Carshalton and Saint Cecilia’s are at home against Graveney. Meanwhile Maidstone Grammar, so good last term, welcome the excellent Ravens Wood. Beth’s Grammar School are also in action, they host Oakwood Park Grammar.
There is also some 7s action on Wednesday, down in Somerset as Wellington School host King’s College Taunton and West Buckland as they all get the practice in ahead of some huge tournaments over the course of the next couple of months.
Wednesday Fixtures
Beth’s GS v Oakwood Park GS
Durham U17 v Scarborough College U17 (Billingham RFC)
Eltham College U17 v Emanuel U17
Esher College v Gordon’s
Fulham Boys v Glyn
Glantaf U17 v Beechen Cliff U17
Harrogate GS U17 v RGS Newcastle U17
Hayes v Sir Joseph Williamson’s
Hereford 6th form College v RGS Worcester (Luctonians RFC)
Hill House U17 v Pocklington U17
Impington College v Samuel Whitbread Academy
KES Birmingham v KES Aston
KES Camp Hill v Queen Mary’s GS
KES Stratford v Alcester GS
Maidstone GS v Ravens Wood
Manchester GS v Hutton GS
Rodillian Academy U17 v Woodhouse Grove U17
Saint Cecilia’s v Graveney
Sedbergh U17 v Kirkham GS U17
Shrewsbury 6th form College v Oswestry
St Peter’s, Gloucester U17 v Old Swinford Hospital U17
Stonyhurst v Scarisbrick Hall (Fylde RFC)
Wellington School 7s: King’s College Taunton, Wellington School, West Buckland
Whitchurch HS v Christ College
Wilson’s v Carshalton
