It has been a busy midweek of schools rugby so far and there is more to come over the next couple of days, with a live game on the RFU website this afternoon.
The big headline results were yesterday’s School Champions Trophy results, the first two quarter finals.
The first to be played was Barnard Castle v Marlborough College. Marlborough had made the trip up the night before to get the journey out of their legs, and it paid dividends as they pushed their hosts all the way.
Barnard Castle summoned up that great Cup history and spirit that they have though and just edged out their visitors, securing a semi final spot with a 12-11 victory.
The other quarter final saw Millfield host Eton College, a prestigious fixture from any angle. Both had lost to Wellington College during the previous week and needed to bounce back fast if they wanted to get to the semi finals.
Millfield were the side to do it, winning 29-17 to secure their spot, it was not just a routine win though. As this competition has done time and time again in this its inaugural season, it had plenty of twists and turns.
Millfield led 15-3 at half time only to be pegged back to 17-17 in the second half before going on to score twelve unanswered points to secure what reads as a much more comfortable victory.
The second two quarter finals produced much excitement. Oakham School stunned Epsom College, ending their 17 match unbeaten run, to secure their place in the semi finals. You can see that game here: Oakham v Epsom College. In the final quarter final RGS Guildford hosted Grammar School at Leeds. The Yorkshrie side were favourites but an early scare form RGS let them know they were in a game, but eventually the men in grey prevailed, you can see our reprot here: RGS Guildford v Grammar School at Leeds.
NatWest Cup
Elsewhere the NatWest Cup has been the big focus this week. Monday saw last year’s finalists Warwick kick off their campaign with a 47-7 victory over King Edwards, Aston, while St Benedict’s picked up a very good win against London Oratory.
On Tuesday Bromsgrove sealed their spot in the next round with a stunning 75-0 victory over KES Lichfield, while Nottingham High School, Berkhamsted, and Monmouth all secured big victories too.
Wednesday saw the “back to back to back†champions, Dulwich College, dip their toes in the water for the first time this season, doing so in style with a 46-0 win over Ravens Wood.
All three of Dulwich’s opponents in their finals were in action, Warwick’s victory on Monday was followed by victories for Old Swinford Hospital and Northampton School for Boys on Wednesday.
Quarter-finalists Hampton were in fine form too, while Bedford Modern carried on their excellent start to the season, like Hampton they scored a half century.
Last year’s semi finalists RGS High Wycombe were back to winning ways in the competition, getting past 50 against Sir William Borlase’s, Stowe were in equally impressive form v Cokethorpe.
2010 and 2011 champions Whitgift secured a solid 20-6 away win over Hurstpierpoint, while 2014 Plate Champions Trent won 36-29 against John Cleveland College.
Who impressed you this midweek? Let us know via @FifteenRugbyXV or the comment box below.
Midweek Results
Monday
Campion 53-0 Robert Clack (NatWest Cup)
Chatham & Clarendon 8-17 Chislehurst & Sidcup GS (NatWest Cup)
Dartford GS 19-13 St Olave’s GS (NatWest Cup)
Downside 10-20 Exeter School (NatWest Cup)
London Oratory 8-40 St Benedict’s (NatWest Cup)
Judd 22-13 Tunbridge Wells GS (NatWest Cup)
Warwick 47-7 King Edward’s, Aston
Tuesday
Felsted 34-10 Royal Hospital School
Beaufort 7-50 Monmouth (NatWest Cup)
Bromsgrove 75-0 KES Lichfield (NatWest Cup)
Enfield GS 3-57 Berkhamsted (NatWest Cup)
Lutterworth 0-52 Nottingham HS (NatWest Cup)
Wednesday
Barnard Castle 12-11 Marlborough College (Champions Trophy)
Millfield 29-17 Eton College (Champions Trophy)
Caterham 15-24 Eltham College
Denstone College 5-17 Worksop College
Ripon GS 12-22 Yarm
Shiplake College 33-24 Henley College
Beechen Cliff 18-7 Yeovil College (NatWest Cup)
Bishop Heber 16-17 Manchester GS (NatWest Cup)
Bishop Vesey’s 66-0 Shire Oak (NatWest Cup)
Brockenhurst 7-12 Portsmouth GS (NatWest Cup)
Cabot 0-19 QEH (NatWest Cup)
Chesham 0-51 Hampton (NatWest Cup)
Cokethorpe 7-40 Stowe (NatWest Cup)
Dame Alice Owen’s 18-54 Bedford Modern (NatWest Cup)
Desborough 19-5 Windsor Boys (NatWest Cup)
Dulwich College 46-0 Ravens Wood (NatWest Cup)
Hereford Cathedral School 22-7 KES Stratford (NatWest Cup)
Hurstpierpoint College 6-20 Whitgift (NatWest Cup)
Hymers College 31-14 Silcoates (NatWest Cup)
King Edward VI Southampton 7-44 Lord Wandsworth College (NatWest Cup)
KES Birmingham 34-12 Lawrence Sheriff (NatWest Cup)
KES Five Ways 7-23 Old Swinford Hospital (NatWest Cup)
Langley Park 24-25 Skinners’ (NatWest Cup)
Northampton School for Boys 41-13 Bablake (NatWest Cup)
Oakwood Park 14-20 DoY RMS (NatWest Cup)
Reigate College 0-50 Trinity (NatWest Cup)
RGS High Wycombe 51-12 Sir William Borlase’s (NatWest Cup)
Shrewsbury 13-26 RGS Worcester (NatWest Cup)
St Ambrose College 10-20 Wilmslow HS (NatWest Cup)
St George’s, Weybridge 12-24 Tiffin (NatWest Cup)
St Peter’s York 38-12 Ilkley GS (NatWest Cup)
Trent College 36-29 John Cleveland (NatWest Cup)
Worth 14-23 City of London Freemen’s (NatWest Cup)
Thursday
Oakham 17-15 Epsom College (Champions Trophy)
RGS Guildford 15-24 Grammar School at Leeds (Champions Trophy)
Dauntsey’s 66-0 King’s Bruton
Haileybury 3-23 Berkhamsted – at Allianz Park
Monmouth 15-22 Crawshay’s Welsh
Radley College 27-34 Cheltenham College
St Edward’s Oxford 32-12 Magdalen College
Friday
Sedbergh 61-7 Abingdon
