The first round of the 2015/16 AASE league certainly proved to be exciting, and if it is to be a guideline for the season then we are in for a hotly contested competition.
Of the five games played yesterday, four were decided by a margin of just two points, suggesting that we are set for a very tense and special season.
North
In the Northern Division Oaklands College v Moulton College was postponed, meaning just two fixtures were to be played, Myerscough College hosting Gosforth Academy, and Worcester 6th form College hosting AASE new boys, Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College.
Both games were decided by just two points, with Myerscough pipping Gosforth 21-19, suggesting another close fought battle for table position between these two again this year.
Wyggeston proved that they are more than up to the challenge of being the new faces in the Northern Division, sneaking an away win at Worcester 21-24, and in the process proving that they are very much at home in the AASE environment.
Hartpury College, who had their bye week this week, will have watched on with interest.
South
The Southern Division had a full schedule, Truro College, one of the top sides last year, faced Henley College, who struggled a bit last season. With a long trip to Truro always tough for sides, Henley were not expected to win, but they came mighty close, losing by just two points, 23-25, and proving that they will certainly be competitive this year.
Slightly further North, SGS Filton hosted Bicton College. Again this was to prove a tightly fought battle, with one team just edging it. That team was SGS Filton, who sneaked past their local opponents by just 16-14, the fourth two point victory of the afternoon.
The only game not to be decided by such a margin was Ivybridge Community College v newcomers to the AASE league, Beechen Cliff.
Beechen Cliff have described this as being very much a development year, but held up well, losing 31-10 to Ivybridge, giving plenty of reasons to suspect that they will progress well through the season.
St Paul’s Catholic College were the Southern side to have their bye week this week.
AASE Round 1 Results:
North:
Myerscough College 21-19 Gosforth Academy
Oaklands College v Moulton College – PP
Worcester 6th form College 21-24 Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College
South:
Ivybridge Community College 31-10 Beechen Cliff
SGS Filton College 16-14 Bicton College
Truro College 25-23 Henley College
