The final round of the first stage of this year’s AASE league takes place this week, and with plenty still yet to be decided, we can expect a day of drama.

Following this round of fixtures the league will split. The top three in each respective division will form their own mini three team leagues, playing each other once, with the bottom four in each doing the same.

Following those mini leagues, the winners in the North will play the winners of the South for the title on Finals Day (2^nd December) with second playing for the Plate, and third for the bowl.

In the North Hartpury College and Wyggeston have already both comfortably secured their place in the top 3 split. Despite that, their game against each other will be no tame friendly. There are huge bragging rights at stake, and if Wyggeston, with home advantage, were able to topple the mighty Hartpury it would give them great confidence ahead of the split.

More key at this stage is the battle to secure that third place. Myerscough College hold the position at the moment, a point clear of Worcester 6^th form College and two ahead of Gosforth Academy. Myerscough hold the ace card as they travel to bottom of the table Moulton College, so they will fancy their chances of victory.

Gosforth and Worcester actually play each other though so we could be treated to a spectacular game up at Kingston Park as these two battle against each other in the hope of securing that third place should Myerscough fail. You get the sense that this could go down to the wire.

In the South St Paul’s Catholic College and Bicton College are both safely through to the top 3 split. St Paul’s will expect to extend their advantage at the top as they travel to bottom of the table Beechen Cliff.

Bicton though face a tricky challenge. They host Ivybridge, who will be desperate to secure victory as they have a slim chance of leapfrogging Filton College for that final place in the top 3. Filton sit on 16 points with Ivybridge on 12, so Ivybridge would need a bonus points win, however with Bicton already through and Ivybridge pumped up, it is not beyond the realms of possibility.

However it would also require Filton College losing, and while they are away from home it is against Henley College, who have just one win to their name so far this season.

It looks likely that there will be some drama though as the scramble for third place comes to a head.

AASE Fixtures (Predictions in bold):

North

Gosforth Academy v Worcester 6^th form College

Moulton College v Myerscough College

Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College v Hartpury College

South

Beechen Cliff v St Paul’s Catholic College

Bicton College v Ivybridge Community College

Henley College v SGS Filton College