This week has seen some outstanding schools rugby as the seasons nears its close and the big games come thick and fast.
Unfortunately the week’s rugby was also severely weather hit, particularly on Wednesday where the NatWest Cup quarter final between Sir Thomas Rich’s and back to back champions was postponed, as well as the huge Daily Mail Trophy clash between Sedbergh and Wellington College, along with several other crucial fixtures.
Tuesday
Tuesday saw Haileybury storm into the Hertfordshire County Cup final as they beat Bishop’s Stortford College 33-0. You can see their report from the game here: Bishop’s Stortford College v Haileybury.
In the NatWest Vase Taunton School secured their place in the next round with a 15-3 victory over Katherine Lady Berkeley’s, while outside of the NatWest competitions Monmouth beat Christ’s College Brecon 16-10.
Wednesday
Wednesday was a real victim of the freezing temperatures as game after game fell to frozen pitches.
We lost the NatWest Cup quarter final between Bromsgrove and Sir Thomas Rich’s, however the was still one quarter final that went ahead as Feslted, so brilliant in victory over Whitgift in the last 16, made the long trip up to Manchester Grammar School.
They found that brilliant form all over again on Wednesday as they beat their hosts 21-16 to become the first side of the 2016/17 season to reach the NatWest Cup semi finals.
Two NatWest Plate quarter finals managed to go ahead. Solihull and Wimbledon College were locked in an incredibly tight and tense game of rugby, which Solihull just ran out as 19-17 winners in to progress to the semi finals.
The other quarter finals saw Reigate Grammar School put in a stunning performance to see of St Columba’s College 53-19. You can see our report from that game here: Reigate Grammar School v St Columba’s College.
Three games went ahead in the Vase, The Perse were in brilliant form as they beat Richard Hale 55-10, while Silcoates were also flying, they saw off QEGS Penrith 42-12. The final game was much closer as Worksop College and Harrogate Grammar School played out a really tight game of rugby, with Worksop winning 18-13.
At Allianz Park there was a huge game taking place, the Middlesex County Cup final. Hampton and UCS both made the trip, and while many onlookers had Hampton as favourites, that ignored UCS’ under the radar form this season. That form shone through in the final as they beat Hampton 37-17 to claim their first ever title at this age-group.
There was also action in the Cheshire County Cup as Stockport Grammar beat King’s Macclesfield 18-15 to reach the final, which will be held at Sale Sharks’ AJ Bell Stadium ahead of one of Sale’s fixtures.
Elsewhere there were big wins for Christ’s Hospital and Woodhouse Grove, while Hartlepool 6th form College, Latymer Upper, and Tiffin also picked up good wins.
Thursday
Thursday was a much quieter day but there was still some exciting action. In the NatWest Vase Trent College charged into the next round with a stunning 61-7 win over Hereford 6th form College. Meanwhle in the Bowl Woodbridge secured a quarter final spot with an excellent 34-17 victory over Beaumont.
Over in Dorset there was a massive derby game between Canford and Bryanston. Historically this has gone the way of Bryanston, however in recent years it has been much closer, Canford winning 10-9 two years ago and that sides sharing the spoils 10-10 last year. This year though Canford have been far the stronger of the two, and so it proved on Thursday afternoon as Canford beat their Dorset rivals 47-10.
There was also more action in the Cheshire Cup as Lymm High School beat Wilmslow High School 11-8, they will face Stockport Grammar in the final after their victory over King’s Macclesfield on Wednesday.
If you have any photos, videos, or reports from the week’s school rugby, please do send them in via email (writers@fifteenrugby.com ), Facebook (www.facebook.com/FifteenRugby ), or via Twitter (@FifteenRugbyXV).
Schools Rugby Midweek Results:
Tuesday
Bishop’s Stortford College 0-33 Haileybury
Katherine Lady Berkeley’s 3-15 Taunton – NatWest Vase
Monmouth 16-10 Christ’s College
Wednesday
Bromsgrove v Sir Thomas Rich’s – NatWest Cup Quarter Final – Postponed
Christ’s Hopsital 55-7 Glyn
Colfe’s v Hayes – Postponed
Cranleigh v Guildford County School – Cancelled
Emanuel 12-30 Tiffin
Enfield GS 10-22 Latymer Upper
Hampton 17-37 UCS – County Cup Final
Hartlepool 6th form College 34-29 Queen Ethelburga’s
Leicester GS v King’s Grantham – Cancelled
Manchester Grammar 16-21 Felsted – NatWest Cup Quarter Final
The Perse 55-10 Richard Hale – NatWest Vase
QEGS Penrith 12-42 Silcoates – NatWest Vase
Reigate Grammar 53-19 St Columba’s College – NatWest Plate Quarter Final
Sedbergh v Wellington College – Postponed
Solihull 19-17 Wimbledon College – NatWest Plate Quarter Final
St George’s College, Weybridge v Sevenoaks – NatWest Vase – Postponed
Stockport Grammar 18-15 King’s Macclesfield
Woodhouse Grove 67-7 Ashville College
Worksop College 18-13 Harrogate Grammar – NatWest Vase
Wycliffe College v Bridgwater College – NatWest Bowl – Postponed
Thursday
Canford 47-10 Bryanston
Lymm High School 11-8 Wilmslow High School
Trent College 61-7 Hereford 6th form College – NatWest Vase
Woodbridge 34-17 Beaumont – NatWest Bowl Last 16
Still to Come:
London Oratory v Seevic – NatWest Vase
St John’s College v Hampshire Collegiate
