U18 & U15 NatWest Vase Finals Preview

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The two NatWest Vase final on Wednesday, U18 and U15, could not be much more different in terms of rugby pedigree.

In the U18 Vase at 15.00, Churcher’s College and Seevic College will meet. A clash between two schools who are not known for being rugby powerhouses, but who have been playing some scintillating stuff in this competition.

By contrast the 11.00 U15 Vase is between Sherborne and Oakham, two schools known for their rugby prowess. Oakham are one of the great NatWest Cup sides, winning back to back U18 Cups back in 2002 and 2003, while Sherborne are one of the most respected sides from the South West engine room of English schoolboy rugby.

That said, it is not as though the U18 Vase final is devoid of pedigree, Churcher’s produced one of Northampton Saints’, England’s, and the British and Irish Lions’ most valued players, Tim Rodber, who won just about everything that there is in the game bar a World Cup.

Seevic meanwhile have produced plenty of National League level players and have a rugby academy that looks to be growing, this Vase final is certainly evidence of that.

Seevic’s 45-23 demolition of Stockport Grammar School was an astonishing way to reach this final, though Chrucher’s 23-10 victory over KES Aston was perhaps no less impressive in many ways.

It does possibly edge the tag of favourites slightly towards Seevic, but surely only slightly, the signs are that this should be a well-contested Vase final.

In the U15 Vase Oakham will likely be the favourites in the eyes of many passing fans having see the footage of Tyrese Johnson-Fisher’s four tries against Bishop Wordsworth’s go viral following their 47-27 win.

Certainly Sherborne will need to be wary of him and indeed the threat that the rest of the Oakham side poses, however they have plenty to offer themselves as their 38-15 semi final victory over RGS Newcastle showed. Their intensity at the breakdown and physicality belied their years.

So too did Oakham’s though, so expect this game to be another well fought game, and one that will certainly not give off the impression of being an under 15 game.

XV Predictions: Seevic and Oakham, both were marginally more impressive in their semi finals. Expect two well fought and close games though.

U18 Vase Final: Churcher’s College v Seevic College – Wednesday 25th March, 15.00, Twickenham

U15 Vase Final: Sherborne v Oakham – Wednesday 25th March, 11.00, Twickenham

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