RGS High Wycombe today became the latest team to progress in the NatWest Cup, beating Bishop Wordsworth’s 3-0 away from home.
3-0 might not look the most exciting result, but for RGS it certainly is, for it puts them into the last 16, where they will face either Stowe or Portsmouth Grammar School after the Christmas break.
It is the last of the Cup fixtures before half term, which presents us with an excellent opportunity to round up where we are across each of the competitions, U18 and U15, Cup and Vase.
U18 Cup (Last 16)
North A
St Peter’s York v RGS Lancaster or QEGS Wakefield
North A has been a tough one all along, St Peter’s progressed with a 28-20 classic v RGS Newcastle, while storm Desmond has delayed the crucial RGS Lancaster v QEGS Wakefield tie.
North B
Calday Grange Grammar or Wilmslow High School v Woodhouse Grove
Storm Desmond again playing havoc in North B as last year’s semi finalists, Wilmslow, await their game with Calday. Woodhouse Grove are looking good, and beat Mount St Mary’s 32-5 to progress.
Midlands A
Bedford Modern v Bromsgrove
Bedford Modern booked their last 16 place early on with a 17-8 win over Bishop’s Stortford. Champions Bromsgrove look formidable, we witnessed their 45-17 win over Abingdon to reach the last 16, where they were quite brilliant. (You can see that report here: Abingdon 17-45 Bromsgrove)
Midlands B
Warwick v Oundle
One of the biggest last 16 ties, both had strong last 32 victories, Warwick beat King’s Worcester 36-3, Oundle were 50-0 winners against Langley. Both have huge recent Cup pedigree. One to watch.
London & South East A
Whitgift v St Joseph’s College
Whitgift beat KCS Wimbledon in front of the live cameras 27-12, and look as good as they have in the Cup since they won it in 2010 and 2011. St Joseph’s look good too, they beat Skinners’ 31-12.
London & South East B
Simon Langton v Hampton
Simon Langton could be this year’s surprise packages, they certainly surprised John Fisher, beating them 31-15 last time out. Hampton are a superb side though, and beat a good Trinity team 24-7 last time out. (You can see that report here: Hampton 24-7 Trinity)
South West A
RGS High Wycombe v Stowe or Portsmouth Grammar
A tight 3-0 win over Bishop Wordsworth’s required all of that Cup expertise that RGS have. Both Stowe and Portsmouth Grammar would be tough, Stowe and RGS have produced some crackers in recent years.
South West B
Truro School v St Peter’s Gloucester
Truro enjoyed one of the biggest last 32 victories, beating Exeter College 33-0, they are a tough opponent in this competition, and a tough away trip indeed. Former champions St Peter’s are looking good, they beat Dauntsey’s 22-12.
U15 Cup (Last 16)
North A
St Ambrose College v Sedbergh
One point was enough for St Ambrose as they beat St Peter’s 11-10, Sedbergh meanwhile beat Grammar School at Leeds 22-8. Sedbergh have never won this Cup, could this be the year?
North B
Woodhouse Grove v QEGS Wakefield
Woodhouse Grove, like their U18s, look good, and beat RGS Newcastle 25-5. QEGS were 22-15 winners against Lymm. They have reached three finals in a row, winning the last one, could a fourth be on the horizon?
Midlands A
Northampton School for Boys v Warwick
The 2013 and 2014 U18 losing finalists meet at U15 level after Northampton beat Bedford and Warwick beat Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Warwick have reached the last three finals, winning two, would you bet against them?
Midlands B
Bromsgrove or Dean Close v Uppingham
Uppingham progressed with a 39-12 victory over Spalding, but must now wait to find out if Dean Close or Bromsgrove will be their opponents next time out.
London & South East A
Brentwood or Dulwich College v Hampton
Hampton progressed with a 12-10 win over Wimbledon College and must wait to find out if they face great Cup rivals Dulwich College or the Essex based Brentwood in the next round.
London & South East B
Whitgift v St Paul’s or Brighton College
Whtigift breezed into the last 16 with a strong 36-5 win over Skinners’. St Paul’s and Brighton College are yet to play, but whoever wins, the last 16 tie is going to be a huge clash between two good schools.
South West A
Millfield v St Peter’s Gloucester
Millfield always add plenty of prestige when they are involved, and they are looking good, they beat Truro 25-7 last time out. St Peter’s were narrower victors, beating Aylesbury Grammar 10-7.
South West B
Ivybridge v Wellington College
Wellington College won with a dramatic late penalty against Colston’s, 19-16, and will face a stiff test again next time, against Ivybridge, who beat Bishop Wordsworth’s 23-17, and who have the resource of being able to train with their AASE 6th form side.
U18 Vase (Last 32)
North A
Yarm v Ripon
St Ambrose College v Ripley St Thomas’
North B
Hymers College/Birkdale v Crossley Heath
Altrincham GS v Birkenhead
Midlands A
Bishop Vesey’s GS v The Leys
Richard Hale v Bloxham
Midlands B
Norwich v Northampton School for Boys
Newcastle-Under-Lyme v Hereford 6th form College
London & South East A
Coopers Coborn v Mill Hill
Caterham v Dartford GS
London & South East B
Ipswich/St Edmund’s College Ware v Duke of York’s Royal Military School
Watford GS v St George’s College, Weybridge
South West A
Pangbourne College v Churcher’s College
Cokethorpe v Bridgwater College
South West B
Plymouth College v Wellington School
Downside v Marling
U15 Vase (Last 32)
North A
Ullswater CC/Ripley St Thaomas v Queen Ethelburga’s
South Hunsley/QEGS Ashbourne v Manchester GS
North B
Ian Ramsey CofE School v Rodillian Academy
Bridgewater v Audenshaw
Midlands A
Adams GS v Bishop Vesey’s GS
St George’s, Harpenden v Royal Latin/Campion (Northamptonshire)
Midlands B
Sir Thomas Rich’s v Woodlands Academy
Wymondham College v Trent College
London & South East A
New Hall v Gunnersbury
St John’s Leatherhead v Langley Park
London & South East B
Chislehurst & Sidcup GS v Enfield GS
Judd v Dorothy Stringer
South West A
Devenport HS v Bournemouth/Clayesmore
Pate’s GS v Magdalen College
South West B
Uffculme v Clifton College
Dauntsey’s v Dr Challoner’s GS
