As we move towards the end of term the fixtures just keep coming through thick and fast in the world of schoolboy rugby. This week we have more Daily Mail Cup fixtures as Round 5 begins in earnest, along with a few catch up fixtures from round four.
St Paul’s and Hampton School kicked us off earlier today. Hampton came away with a hugely impressive 18-3 win to set up a last 16 game against the winner of Whitgift v Sussex Downs.
Tomorrow sees a further eleven U18 Daily Mail Cup games, with some of schoolboy rugby’s most prestigious names set to take to the field.
Two time finalists RGS High Wycombe take on Sir Thomas Rich’s in what looks like being a close contest. RGS should just edge it though as they continue their quest to get to a third final.
Verdict – RGS High Wycombe
Fellow two time finalists QEGS Wakefield host Wirral Grammar School. Like RGS, QEGS have remained a top quality side since their appearances in the final in the mid 90’s and will be confident of winning this fixture.
Verdict – QEGS
Stamford and Bishop’s Stortford High School have both been in fine form this season, with a three year unbeaten home record though, Stamford will be very hard to beat and will be disappointed with anything other than a win.
Verdict – Stamford
Sherborne v Bishop Wordsworth is an exciting looking fixture, both with plenty of rugby history. Bishop Wordsworth were in the first ever U18 final back in 1991 but since then Sherborne have probably just about had the edge between the two and come into the game in fine form.
Verdict – Sherborne
KCS Wimbledon and Skinners are both strong schools with solid results so far this season. KCS have just about looked the stronger of the two though and should edge this one.
Verdict – KCS Wimbledon
Millfield take on Blundell’s in a game that with their 1st XV would certainly be a victory. Millfield though have been playing their 2nd XV in the Daily Mail so far, though the postponement of their fixture against Sedbergh tomorrow could see them draft a few in. In any case they ought still to have enough firepower to earn a victory.
Verdict – Millfield
Marlborough against Stowe is one of the standout fixtures of the round, with Marlborough probably one of the top four sides in the country this season, and Stowe have one of their strongest sides in years. Marlborough will expect to win but Stowe will give them a stiff challenge.
Verdict – Marlborough
U18 Cup holders Dulwich take on Hurstpierpoint and come into the game in arguably even better form than they were last season. Off the back of being named November’s Team of the Month, and with only Millfield managing to defeat them this season, it seems impossible to see past Dulwich in this one.
Verdict – Dulwich
RGS Lancaster v Wilmslow High, two strong and well-matched sides, this could be one the closest tie’s of the round. Both have beaten strong opposition on the way to this stage but home advantage may just give RGS the edge.
Verdict – RGS Lancaster
Back to back winners Oakham have been coming into serious from of late and will be feeling confident of beating Northampton School for Boys. Northampton are up for it though and will be a tough opponent but Oakham ought to have too much quality.
Verdict – Oakham
Schoolboy rugby legends, Barnard Castle, face one of the form teams in the country in the shape of King’s School Macclesfield. Barnard Castle haven’t been quite at their best this season though and with King’s in such good form it seems hard to see anything other than a King’s win.
Verdict – King’s School Macclesfield
