The strength of the Southern Conference in the AASE League was shown yesterday with every quarter final in both the Cup and the Plate being won by the side from the Southern Conference.
In the Cup quarter finals SGS Filton College, 3rd in the South, beat Oaklands College, 2nd in the North, 23-17. They resisted an Oaklands College comeback having led 18-7 at the break, and now head into a semi final against the Southern Conference champions St Paul’s Catholic College on the 11th March.
The other semi final saw Myerscough College make the long trip south to Truro College, but despite a brave and determined performance, Myerscough were powerless to stop the second placed side from the Southern Conference from taking a comfortable 31-17 victory. That win secures Truro a semi final against the mighty Hartpury College on the 11th March, the only Northern Conference side left in the Cup competition.
Over in the Plate Ivybridge made the long trip from Devon to Northamptonshire to face Moulton College, but they will have been very glad to have done so after they defeated the fifth placed side fro the Northern Conference by a staggering 54-0 margin to claim their semi final place against Bicton College.
The other semi final saw Henley College, fifth in the South, host Worcester 6th form College, bottom in the North. Henley, like Ivybridge, were in superb scoring form, securing an excellent 46-23 victory to set up a semi final against Gosforth Academy, the only remaining Northern Conference side in the Plate.
It was a quite magnificent day for the Southern Conference, but it is still all to play for on the 11th March in the semi finals.
Play Off Fixtures:
Cup Quarter Finals:
Oaklands College 17-23 Filton College
Truro College 31-17 Myerscough College
Cup Semi Finals (Wednesday 11th March):
Hartpury College v Truro College
St Paul’s Catholic College v SGS Filton College
Plate Quarter Finals:
Moulton College 0-54 Ivybridge Community College
Henley College 46-23 Worcester 6th form College
Plate Semi Finals (Wednesday 11th March):
Gosforth Academy v Henley College
Bicton College v Ivybridge Community College
