Round 2 of the second phase of the AASE League saw one side guarantee their return to Allianz Park for the AASE Final.
Gosforth Academy, who missed out in last year’s final to Exeter College, will return again this year hoping to go one better.
North 1
Gosforth secured their place in the final thanks to a bonus points 26-12 win at Oaklands College, backing up last week’s bonus point win over Brooksby Melton. Oaklands had beaten Worcester 6th form College last week, but without a bonus point so they still needed a win to stay in the hunt.
Worcester 6th form College faced Brooksby Melton College, and have Gosforth up next week, so they might have hoped to be able to snatch a place in the final from them. However while they beat Brooksby Melton College, 22-19, they failed to get the bonus point required to take the challenge into next week.
Gosforth are now on 10 points, with five available, Oaklands and Worcester are on 4 each, so even a bonus point win next week would leave each of them still a point behind on 9. It is probably fitting that Gosforth return, certainly they play one of the most unique and exciting brands of rugby in the competition, high on offloads and creativity, which should make the final an entertaining showcase.
South 1
The South Division 1 conference will last into the final round after Hartpury College and Exeter College both picked up outstanding bonus point wins to back up last week’s bonus point wins.
Hartpury defeated St Paul’s Catholic College in dominant fashion, 42-7, while Exeter College were engaged in a points-fest at Henley College, winning 61-22.
The two will meet next week in what will effectively be the South 1 semi final. It should be an awesome occasion, between the only two sides ever to have won the AASE League. Exeter will host it, which could be important, Hartpury beat them 47-10 in the first phase of this league when Exeter were the visitors.
North 2
Myerscough College confirmed that they will finish at the top of the North 2 Division, they beat Moulton College last week and backed it up this week with a 27-14 win at Bishop Burton College. Myerscough have a bye week next week, with Bishop Burton and Moulton playing for second place.
South 2
South 2 looks very interesting. Truro College beat Beechen Cliff 24-19 to take them level on points with SGS Filton College, on 4. However, Truro have played both of their games, while Filton and Beechen Cliff play next week. Effectively, next week’s game is a shootout for top spot, despite Beechen Cliff being bottom on 1 point.
That is because yesterday’s losing bonus point was vital. A win over any sort will take them above Truro, and if they prevent a Filton bonus point, above them too. A bonus point win will see them top both regardless. For Filton too, a win of any sort will see them top the division.
As always, if you have any videos, photos, or reports from the week’s AASE rugby, please feel free to send them in via Twitter (@FifteenRugbyXV), Facebook (www.facebook.com/FifteenRugby), Instagram (@fifteenrugbyxv), or through email (writers@fifteenrugby.com).
AASE Phase 2 Round 2 Fixtures Results:
North 1
Oaklands College 12-26 Gosforth Academy
Worcester 6th form College 22-19 Brooksby Melton College
South 1
Hartpury College 42-7 St Paul’s Catholic College
Henley College 22-61 Exeter College
North 2
Bishop Burton College 14-27 Myerscough College
Moulton College – Bye
South 2
Truro College 24-19 Beechen Cliff
SGS Filton College – Bye
