What a weekend of schools rugby we have had. If there were any fears of a slow start after a long half term, they were quickly put to bed as some thrilling games of rugby were played.

With temperatures down and the weather a little wetter, you could have been forgiven for assuming that the scorelines might come down too, but across the country as the results came in on Saturday the trend was clear – there had been some thrilling and high scoring matches.

Focus On

Our Focus On fixtures definitely fitted along the thrilling and high scoring theme. Harrow continued their stunning form from the first half of the season with an outstanding 33-21 victory over Tonbridge, coming back from 21-19 down in a real thriller.

There was a hugely encouraging result for Bishop Wordsworth’s as they beat rivals Bryanston in another high scoring game. Bishop Wordworth’s were highly convincing in victory though, winning 53-22.

There was another thriller in the South West as two of the top sides in the country met, Clifton College and Blundell’s. The two sides shared 73 points, with Clifton running out as the 46-27 winners in a highly exciting game. Blundell’s must now recover fast ahead of their Champions Trophy quarter final at Epsom College on Wednesday.

Wellington College picked up a second victory over Dulwich College this season on Saturday, scoring six tries on the way to a strong 32-0 victory, of which four were up there with the best you will see in schools rugby as the handling levels went through the roof. Oscar Boe, Fitz Harding, Dylan Moss, Ben Loader, Will Sinfield, and Sam Spink were the scorers, with Jacob Webb and Louis Edmondes outstanding, while for Dulwich Sunni Jardine was a livewire throughout, with Michael Bacon and Cameron Forbes performing well too.

Eton College bounced back in brilliant fashion from their midweek defeat to Tonbridge, beating John Fisher 43-17. Cranleigh carried on where they left off before half term with that stunning St Joseph’s Festival triumph as they saw off a determined RGS Guildford side 20-12.

Millfield put another top Welsh school to the sword on Saturday as they added Llandovery College to their list of scalps, beating them 36-7.

The big derby between Uppingham and Oundle saw a convincing win for Oundle, 36-5. Down the road at Oakham, the host were narrowly defeated 17-15 by Rugby, and must now get straight back on from for their Champios Trophy quarter final on Wednesday.

Sherborne secured an outstanding win as they saw off a very strong Abingdon side by a commendable 20-3 scoreline.

Around the Grounds

There was plenty of excitement elsewhere on Saturday too. The NatWest Plate saw action as Crossley Heath travelled to Ampleforth College, coming away with a commanding 30-7 victory.

Canford were in flying form ahead of Tuesday’s Champions Trophy clash against Bedford, beating Marlborough College by a stunning 57-5 margin. Bedford themselves were in good form, beating Loughborough 34-7.

Reigate Grammar edged a close one against Colfe’s, 22-18, but things were more straightforward for Downside, who beat King’s Bruton 44-0, while Brighton College carried on their stunning form with a 40-12 victory over Eltham College, with Marcus Smith once again starring.

Judd showed their excellent form once again with a 33-10 victory over Trinity, while Bedford Modern did brilliantly to come from behind against the Leys and take a 33-27 victory. Meanwhile in the longest running school fixture in Scotland, Merchiston Castle beat Edinburgh Academy 52-3.

The big derby between The Oratory and London Oratory went the way of the Reading based Oratory, who won 33-0. Pocklington were in stunning form against Bradford Grammar, securing a 42-0 victory. Bristol Grammar were equally impressive, beating QEH 60-5.

Stamford were highly impressive, beating a Haileybury side that have been in great form this season by a 31-23 scoreline. St Paul’s were in fine form too, beating KCS Wimbledon in a brilliant local derby, 39-21.

The performance of the day though was surely from Woodhouse Grove. They were truly sensational as they put Yarm to the sword in a truly sensational 71-0 victory.

All in all it was a quite brilliant return to Saturday rugby following the half term break!

If you have any photos, videos, or reports from the weekend’s schools rugby, please do send them in via email (writers@fifteenrugby.com ), Facebook (www.facebook.com/FifteenRugby ), or via Twitter (@FifteenRugbyXV).

Schools Rugby Results – Saturday 5^th November (predictions in bold):

Focus On

Bishop Wordsworth’s 53-22 Bryanston

Clifton College 46-27 Blundell’s

Dulwich College 0-32 Wellington College

Eton College 43-17 John Fisher

Millfield 36-7 Llandovery College

Oakham 15-17 Rugby

RGS Guildford 12-20 Cranleigh

Sherborne 20-3 Abingdon

Tonbridge 21-33 Harrow

Uppingham 5-36 Oundle

Around the Grounds

Adams GS 14-27 Bishop Vesey’s GS

Ampleforth College 7-30 Crossley Heath – NatWest Plate

Birkenhead 32-36 Cheadle Hulme

Canford 57-5 Marlborough College

Churcher’s College 22-36 Christ’s Hospital

Colfe’s 18-22 Reigate GS
Colston’s 21-36 KES Bath

Dame Allan’s 18-24 Ashville College

Downside 44-0 King’s Bruton

Duke of York’s RMS 12-25 Sevenoaks

Eltham College 12-40 Brighton College

Emanuel 3-10 Wallington CGS

Judd 33-10 Trinity

KES Birmingham 15-13 Old Wsinford Hospital

KES Southampton 13-36 Magdalen College

King’s Gloucester 44-7 Wycliffe College

King’s Macclesfield 0-3 Nottingham HS

Langley Park 27-5 Glyn

Leys 27-33 Bedford Modern

Loughborough 7-34 Bedford

Merchiston Castle 52-3 Edinburgh Academy

Oratory 33-0 London Oratory

Pocklington 42-0 Bradford GS

Prior Park College 19-25 Dauntsey’s

QEH 5-60 Bristol GS

Ratcliffe College 36-40 Wisbech GS

Reading Blue Coat 0-19 Merchant Taylors’

RGS Worcester 31-20 KES Stratford

Robert Gordon’s 29-26 Loretto

Royal Hospital School 31-3 Gresham’s

Skinners’ 21-20 Cranbrook

Solihull 32-0 Ellesmere College

Stamford 31-23 Haileybury

St Ambrose College 26-17 Wirral GS

St Columba’s College 32-12 Richard Hale

St Edward’s, Oxford 16-23 Bloxham

St Lawrence College 8-15 Chatham House

St Paul’s 39-21 KCS Wimbledon

Trent College 30-27 Denstone College

UCS 24-34 Shiplake College

Windsor Boys 7-29 Pangbourne College

Woodhouse Grove 71-0 Yarm

Worth v St Benedict’s – Cancelled

Wymondham College 12-7 Ipswich

Still to come:

Aylesbury GS v Northampton School for Boys

Barnard Castle v Hymers College

Campion v Bishops Stortford HS

Pate’s GS v St Peter’s Gloucester

St Albans v Watford GS

St Dunstan’s College v Chislehurst & Sidcup GS

St Olave’s v RGS Colchester

Wellington School v Christ’s College