The final weekend of the term gave us plenty of memorable performances as we rounded off what has been a hugely competitive term of schools rugby.
This week’s Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend reflects that, with some close winners, big winners, and even a title winner.
Top 5
Barnard Castle
A superb away win at Rugby, 20-8, was a brilliant way for Barnard Castle to round off what has been a truly excellent season for them. Their defeats this year have only come against the very best in the business, while victories have come against strong sides, such as King’s Macclesfield, RGS Newcastle, and St Peter’s York.
To round the season off though with a brilliant away win at the home of rugby was a deserved, and special, way to celebrate. Barnard Castle are certainly showing signs of coming back to their former glories.
Berkhamsted
Berkhamsted rounded off their season in superb fashion, beating Haileybury 33-0. Given that Haileybury were coming off the back of a midweek County Cup final win, they arrived with confidence, so for Berkhamsted to secure such a dominant victory was highly impressive.
That should be no surprise though, they have been highly impressive all season, losing just once. Indeed they have only lost two games in the last two seasons, and have not lost at home since 2013/14. They are a real force.
Bishop Wordsworth’s
A tight win over Hampton, 19-17, was Bishop Wordsworth’s final act of the term, and what a final act. Hampton are one of the top sides in the country and are the St Joseph’s Festival Champions, and they are looking like a force in the NatWest Cup too.
Bishop Wordsworth’s fought they way to victory though, and we should perhaps not be surprised by that. They are unbeaten since half term, a stretch that includes victories against Bryanston and a run to the NatWest Cup fifth round. It has been an exceptional term.
Bromsgrove
Bromsgrove have, if anything, looked even better than last year’s NatWest Cup winning side this term, and that is quite some achievement. Saturday’s 14-11 win over Warwick might not have had the flair of the 50 point hiding that they handed out in September, but this Warwick side is not the same as that one.
The victory also means that Bromsgrove go through the entire term unbeaten, only a draw against RGS High Wycombe has prevented them winning every single game, they have been just an outstanding team. With progress in the Cup going well too, they must surely be among the favourites for the title.
Wellington College
Wellington College this weekend confirmed their second successive Daily Mail Trophy title, and they did so in style with a superb 44-0 victory over Marlborough College.
The bonus point was crucial, for it was that which confirmed their title. It also meant that they finished their season on a real high after losing their last two games in a row, first a tight one against Sedbergh, and then surprisingly against St Paul’s. A strong finish to the season was crucial not just for the title, but for ending on a high, and for setting up for the 7s season, in which Wellington always excel, in style.
