The AASE League is already deep into the first stage of its season, with Wednesday seeing round 3 kick off.

Worcester 6^th form College sit at the top of the North Conference but have a bye week this week, offering sides the opportunity to pass them if they can secure the right results.

The side in prime position to do so are Oaklands College, who are currently only behind Worcester on points difference having also won both of their opening two games with bonus points. Their task on Wednesday is to beat the side that finished second in the conference last year but that are without a win in this season so far, Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College, a side who are usually highly competitive, and whom you would think will really be fighting back not. It should be fascinating.

Bishop Burton turn out for their second game of the season, they were rather put to the sword by Worcester 6^th form College last week, Worcester scored over 60 points, but they will have learned from the experience and will hope to have something to show from a home game against a Myerscough College side who have won one game and lost the other so far.

The third game in the North sees Gosforth Academy host Moulton College. Gosforth tore Myerscough to shreds in the opening round but then lost last week to Oaklands, while Moulton have only played once, also losing to Oaklands. That leaves this one reasonably open on paper, but the manner of Gosforth’s win over Myerscough suggest that they are probably the favourites for this encounter.

In the South new boys Exeter College will be hoping to maintain their place at the top of the table having who two games from two, both with bonus points. However they face a tough task as they face Henley College, whose position does not reflect their performances. They have a win and a loss from their two games, but their loss was to the mighty Hartpury College, and they actually stopped them from gaining a bonus point, suggesting that Henley are actually a very good side. That ought to mean that this is a very special game.

Hartpury College, meanwhile, will be hoping to maintain their winning start with a win over an Ivybridge side who have lost both of their opening matches, though by close margins.

Last year’s new boys, Beechen Cliff, have impressed this year and will be looking to make it three wins from three when they face Truro College on Wednesday. They will be confident of doing so, too, as Truro are the only side in the division without a point to their name so far.

Finally in the south St Paul’s Catholic College face SGS Filton College. St Paul’s were finalists in 2014 and have won one and lost one this year, with their loss coming against Hartpury. Filton meanwhile are yet to win, though have been competitive in both games. This game could be very close, but early form suggests St Paul’s ought to just edge it.

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AASE Round 3 Fixtures (predictions in bold):

North

Bishop Burton College v Myerscough College

Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College v Oaklands College

Gosforth Academy v Moulton College

South

Hartpury College v Ivybridge Community College

St Paul’s Catholic College v SGS Filton College

Beechen Cliff v Truro College

Exeter College v Henley College