Despite many having started wrapping up for the Christmas break there are still plenty of exciting school fixtures this weekend.
Woodhouse Grove might have secured the Daily Mail Trophy last weekend but there is still plenty of action left in that weekend, and as ever it is there that we begin our preview, specifically with our four featured games from our Competition.
Epsom College v Dulwich College
This looks an absolute belter. Epsom are unbeaten this year, their only blemish was a 20-20 draw with Brighton College. Dulwich’s record is slightly more modest, though still impressive, but they have been in irresistible form of late, with a win against Tonbridge last weekend a particular highlight.
Epsom will be the favourites in many people’s eyes to win this and complete an unbeaten term, such has been the level of their play, however we have a sneaking suspicion that Dulwich could just nick this one. Their excellent recent form and a sense of momentum building within their squad makes it very tempting to back them here.
Epsom are the favourites by virtue of their record, which includes a win over Wellington a couple of weeks ago, but it is not remotely clear-cut.
Prediction – Tough, very tough. Have to go with Epsom, just.
Wellington College v Tonbridge
Another cracking fixture at the close of the term. Wellington’s outstanding form through September and October has dipped a little in November, with injuries rather catching up with them but that is not to say that they are not still one of the best around.
They will probably still go into this game as favourites too, despite the fact that Tonbridge have lost just twice all season, to Epsom and Dulwich, and have looked a very strong side.
It should be one of the highest quality matches of the weekend though, one which can definitely go either way.
Prediction – Wellington
Bedford v Stowe
These two sides have at times this season produced sheer brilliance but have unfortunately just been missed out on the consistency to turn those brilliant performances into a brilliant season record.
Both narrowly lost last weekend in exciting clashes against Rugby and Marlborough respectively and either could get the win tomorrow, however with home advantage Bedford may just hold the edge.
It ought to be one of the most pleasing games on the eye though, both play expansive and exciting brands of rugby.
Prediction – Bedford
Radley College v Warwick
Radley have flattered to deceive a little this season, at times they have looked excellent but they have come undone far too many times for their liking. That said, they have the ability to beat anyone and some of their results really prove that. A draw with Tonbridge, who have only lost to Epsom and Dulwich, really demonstrates their quality.
Warwick have had some sensational results though, beating Whitgift and drawing with Millfield, but they have also lost some that they might think they should have won though.
That ability to conjure magical performances though means that Warwick are the favourites for this one in our eyes.
Prediction – Warwick
NatWest Cup
There is one NatWest Cup fixture this weekend, Stonyhurst v Grammar School at Leeds in North A for a place in the section ‘final’ before the redraw for the quarter finals.
Both enjoyed good victories last time in the Cup, with Stonyhurst beating RGS Lancaster 26-10 and GSAL beating Stockport Grammar 16-5. The winner will play either Durham or Barnard Castle once they have played their 6th Round match.
Stonyhurst are probably marginal favourites, both sides have had excellent seasons but Stonyhurst have been particularly good and are seen as a real dark horse. It is best not to write GSAL off though, as their results over the season have shown!
Prediction – Stonyhurst
Around the grounds:
Sedbergh v Llandovery and Sir Thomas Rich’s v King’s Parramatta stand out as particularly exciting fixtures, particularly given Sedbergh’s win over Millfield in midweek.
Woodhouse Grove v RGS Lancaster also stands out, with the Yorkshire side looking to complete an unbeaten Daily Mail Trophy season to go with the title that they won last week.
Cheltenham College v Clifton College ought to be a good game, both have been excellent this season and they will be likely to serve up an excellent game tomorrow.
Bromsgrove v KES Birmingham has resonance as one of the oldest school fixtures in existence, though it would be a big shock if Bromsgrove were not to win that one.
Hampton v Brighton College looks pretty competitive though, Brighton have really picked up in the second half of term and could give Hampton a scare.
Selected School Fixtures, 7th December (predicitions in bold):
Epsom College v Dulwich College
Wellington College v Tonbridge
Bedford v Stowe
Radley College v Warwick
Stonyhurst v Grammar School at Leeds (NatWest Cup)
Sir Thomas Rich’s v King’s Parramatta, Australia (Touring side)
Sedbergh v Llandovery
Manchester Grammar School v Wilmslow High
AKS Arnold v Kirkham Grammar School
Tiffin v KCS Wimbledon
Bedford Modern v Bishop’s Stortford High School
Ashville v Yarm
Bristol Grammar School v Pate’s Grammar School
Trinity v Skinners’
John Fisher v St Benedict’s
RGS High Wycombe v London Oratory
Woodhouse Grove v RGS Lancaster
St Joseph’s College v Northampton School for Boys
Barnard Castle v Dame Allan’s
Solihull v Adams Grammar School
Hampton v Brighton College
Reed’s v Hurstpierpoint
King’s Worcester v Old Swinford Hospital
Sherborne v King’s College Taunton
St Peter’s York v Bradford Grammar School
Haileybury v Oakham
Berkhamsted v St Paul’s
Stamford v Loughborough Grammar School
Cranleigh v Pangbourne
Worth v City of London Freemens
King’s Canterbury v Sevenoaks
Eastbourne College v St John’s Leatherhead
RGS Newcastle v QEGS Wakefield
Malvern College v Colston’s
Marlborough College v Abingdon
Merchant Taylors v Eton
Monmouth v Blundell’s
Bryanston v Canford
Bromsgrove v KES Birmingham
Gresham’s v Uppingham
Denstone v King’s Macclesfield
Cheltenham College v Clifton College
