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 5th 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
