Next week the NatWest Cup returns, with the Last 16 of the U18 and U15 Cup and Vase tournaments beginning.
As such, we thought we would give you a quick look at the coming fixture list for this week’s Weekend Review as we prepare for a busy week of NatWest Cup action.
Otherwise known as the ‘regional finals, the last 16 is the last stage in which the tournament is split regionally. The winners of the last 16 ties enter the quarter finals, in which all of the team names are put in a hat and drawn nationally. So a Truro School v St Peter’s York quarter final could be a very real, and very long distance, possibility!
NatWest Cup and Vase – Last 16 Fixtures:
U18 Cup (Last 16)
North A
St Peter’s York v QEGS Wakefield
North A has been a tough one all along, St Peter’s progressed with a 28-20 classic v RGS Newcastle, while QEGS pulled off an excellent 28-20 win over RGS Lancaster post Christmas.
North B
Wilmslow High School v Woodhouse Grove
Storm Desmond again played havoc in North B as last year’s semi finalists, Wilmslow, had to delay their game with Calday but emerged 38-14 winners. Woodhouse Grove are looking good, and beat Mount St Mary’s 32-5 to progress.
Midlands A
Bedford Modern v Bromsgrove
Bedford Modern booked their last 16 place early on with a 17-8 win over Bishop’s Stortford. Champions Bromsgrove look formidable, we witnessed their 45-17 win over Abingdon to reach the last 16, where they were quite brilliant. (You can see that report here: Abingdon 17-45 Bromsgrove)
Midlands B
Warwick v Oundle
One of the biggest last 16 ties, both had strong last 32 victories, Warwick beat King’s Worcester 36-3, Oundle were 50-0 winners against Langley. Both have huge recent Cup pedigree. One to watch.
London & South East A
Whitgift v St Joseph’s College
Whitgift beat KCS Wimbledon in front of the live cameras 27-12, and look as good as they have in the Cup since they won it in 2010 and 2011. St Joseph’s look good too, they beat Skinners’ 31-12.
London & South East B
Simon Langton v Hampton
Simon Langton could be this year’s surprise packages, they certainly surprised John Fisher, beating them 31-15 last time out. Hampton are a superb side though, and beat a good Trinity team 24-7 last time out. (You can see that report here: Hampton 24-7 Trinity)
South West A
RGS High Wycombe v Stowe
A tight 3-0 win over Bishop Wordsworth’s required all of that Cup expertise that RGS have. It will be a classic against strong rivals Stowe, who beat Portsmouth Grammar 34-7 last week.
South West B
Truro School v St Peter’s Gloucester
Truro enjoyed one of the biggest last 32 victories, beating Exeter College 33-0, they are a tough opponent in this competition, and a tough away trip indeed. Former champions St Peter’s are looking good, they beat Dauntsey’s 22-12.
U15 Cup (Last 16)
North A
St Ambrose College v Sedbergh
One point was enough for St Ambrose as they beat St Peter’s 11-10, Sedbergh meanwhile beat Grammar School at Leeds 22-8. Sedbergh have never won this Cup, could this be the year?
North B
Woodhouse Grove v QEGS Wakefield
Woodhouse Grove, like their U18s, look good, and beat RGS Newcastle 25-5. QEGS were 22-15 winners against Lymm. They have reached three finals in a row, winning the last one, could a fourth be on the horizon?
Midlands A
Northampton School for Boys v Warwick
The 2013 and 2014 U18 losing finalists meet at U15 level after Northampton beat Bedford and Warwick beat Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Warwick have reached the last three finals, winning two, would you bet against them?
Midlands B
Bromsgrove v Uppingham
Uppingham progressed with a 39-12 victory over Spalding, and will face Bromsgrove, who are going strong in both age-grades, after their 18-10 win over Dean Close.
London & South East A
Dulwich College v Hampton
Hampton progressed with a 12-10 win over Wimbledon College and it was 12-10 to Dulwich over Brentwood too in a very tough post-Christmas encounter.
London & South East B
Whitgift v Brighton College
Whtigift breezed into the last 16 with a strong 36-5 win over Skinners’. Brighton College are the opposition after a titanic tussle with St Paul’s ended 33-27.
South West A
Millfield v St Peter’s Gloucester
Millfield always add plenty of prestige when they are involved, and they are looking good, they beat Truro 25-7 last time out. St Peter’s were narrower victors, beating Aylesbury Grammar 10-7.
South West B
Ivybridge v Wellington College
Wellington College won with a dramatic late penalty against Colston’s, 19-16, and will face a stiff test again next time, against Ivybridge, who beat Bishop Wordsworth’s 23-17, and who have the resource of being able to train with their AASE 6th form side.
U18 Vase (Last 16)
North A
Yarm v St Ambrose College
North B
Crossley Heath v Altrincham GS
Midlands A
The Leys v Bloxham
Midlands B
Northampton School for Boys v Hereford 6th form College
London & South East A
Coopers Coborn v Caterham
London & South East B
Ipswich v St George’s College, Weybridge
South West A
Pangbourne College v Cokethorpe
South West B
Plymouth College v Downside
U15 Vase (Last 16)
North A
Queen Ethelburga’s v Manchester GS
North B
Rodillian Academy v Bridgewater
Midlands A
Bishop Vesey’s GS v St George’s, Harpenden
Midlands B
Sir Thomas Rich’s v Trent College
London & South East A
New Hall v Langley Park
London & South East B
Chislehurst & Sidcup GS v Judd
South West A
Devenport HS v Pate’s GS
South West B
Clifton College v Dr Challoner’s GS
