This week is a huge week is the world of school rugby, with the Champions Trophy and AASE finals and the U18 Schools Cup quarter finals.
However those are far from the only important games this week, and while inevitably much of the focus will end up on those top tier tournaments it is also a massive week in the Schools Plate, Vase, and Bowl.
There are plenty of other big games too, not least the Scottish Schools Cup final and a key Daily Mail Trophy game that could see the title confirmed on Wednesday.
If you are looking for coverage of the Champions Trophy and U18 Schools Cup, follow the links below to our dedicated previews of those two tournaments, and for a look at the rest of the school rugby action this week, please follow the link to our usual midweek preview. In this article we focus on the U18 Plate, Vase, and Bowl.
Champions Trophy Final Preview
U18 Schools Cup Quarter Finals Preview
U18 Plate, Vase, & Bowl quarter finals (predictions in bold)
U18 Schools Plate Quarter Finals
KES Birmingham (Midlands B) v St Ambrose College (North A) – Wednesday
Trinity (London & South East B) v New Hall (London & South East A) – Wednesday
Uppingham (Midlands A) 7-22 Woodhouse Grove (North B)
St Peter’s, Gloucester (South West A) v Richard Huish (South West B) – Wednesday
The U18 Schools Plate quarter finals kicked off on Tuesday with Uppingham v Woodhouse Grove. Uppingham came through the Midlands A section, beating Gresham’s 27-23 in a thrilling regional final last week, while Woodhouse Grove could almost have slept through North B, they had not had a game since the opening round of the Plate, breezing through on byes. However that lack of Cup sharpness did not hinder the Yorkshireman, who put on a fine display in Rutland to secure a 22-7 victory and become the first side through to the Plate semi finals.
The other three quarter finals all take place on Wednesday. Midlands B champions KES Birmingham, who beat Wrekin College 22-0 in the regional final host North A champions St Ambrose College, who enjoyed a strong 36-14 win over RGS Lancaster.
The other two quarter finals are between regional rivals. London & South East B winners Trinity host London & South East A winners New Hall, Trinity came through a thrilling last 16 round against Peter Symonds’, a stunning 38-31 victory. New Hall meanwhile were the form team of the round, beating Colfe’s 60-16.
The final tie sees the South West A champions and former Cup winners, St Peter’s Gloucester, host the South West B winners, Richard Huish. St Peter’s route through South West A culminated in a storming 35-14 win at KES Southampton, while Richard Huish won 34-12 at home to a good Downside 1st XV.
U18 Schools Vase Quarter Finals
Dauntsey’s (South West A) v King’s Worcester (Midlands A) – Wednesday 12th December
Langley (Midlands B) v Hayes (London & South East A) – Wednesday
Ripon GS (North B) v Sir William Borlase’s (South West B) – Wednesday 13th December
Wirral Grammar School (North A) v Reed’s (London & South East B) – Wednesday
At there are just two of the four Vase quarter finals confirmed for this week as Langley host Hayes. Langley are the Midlands B champion after as outstanding 40-0 win last week against the reigning champions, Trent College. Hayes meanwhile came through London & South East A in style, culminating in a 23-0 win over a Sutton Valence side that had been performing well.
The other game on Wednesday sees the London & South East B winners, Reed’s, make the trip up to the North A winners Wirral Grammar School, who beat Giggleswick in a thrilling regional final 22-19. Reed’s meanwhile had beated St George’s Harpenden in a even more exciting game in their own last 16 fixture, 34-31 away from home.
The second confirmed date in the Vase is on Wednesday 13th December, when the North B champions, Ripon Grammar School, host the South West B champions, Sir William Borlase’s. Ripon won the tightest of last 16 battles against a very good Worksop College side, edging them 15-14, while Sir William Borlase’s regional final was a commanding 35-7 victory over The Crypt.
Also on the 13th will be the South West A champions Dauntsey’s hosting Midlands A winners King’s Worcester, Dauntsey’s performed well for a 27-7 last win over Taunton, while King’s Worcester won a real scrap at Adams Grammar, 12-3.
U18 Schools Bowl Quarter Finals
John Hampden (South West B) v King Henry VIII, Coventry (Midlands A) – Wednesday
Samuel Whitbread (Midlands B) v Ashville College (North B) – Friday
Prince Henry’s GS (North A) v Ravens Wood (London & South East A) – Wednesday
Mount Kelly (South West A) v St George’s College, Weybridge (London & South East B) – Wednesday
On Wednesday the Midlands A champions King Henry VIII Coventry make the trip to South West B champions John Hampden for what looks like a top game of rugby. John Hampden progressed last week after an excellent 36-22 regional final win over Cokethorpe, while King Henry’s had to work really hard for an incredibly narrow 12-10 win at Shrewsbury.
Wednesday also sees the South West A victors, Mount Kelly, welcome London & South East B representatives St George’s College, Weybridge. Mount Kelly enjoyed a strong 26-7 win over St Laurence in their last 16 tie, and St George’s were just as commanding, beating Verulam 35-14 in theirs.
North A champions Prince Henry’s Grammar School host London & South East A victors Ravens Wood in a quarter final in the third Bowl quarter final taking place on Wednesday. Prince Henry’s last 16 result has not yet been officially confirmed, while Ravens Wood enjoyed the biggest score of the quarter finals with a 53-20 victory over Beth’s.
The final quarter final sees Samuel Whitbread, 22-13 winners over Loughborough Grammar in the Midlands B final, host North B champions Ashville College, who emerged from a thriller in their regional final with a 32-24 win over Lady Manners’. That game takes place on Friday at midday, which ought to make it a spectacular occasion.
As always, if you have any videos, photos, or reports from the week’s rugby, please feel free to send them in via Twitter (@FifteenRugbyXV), Facebook (www.facebook.com/FifteenRugby), Instagram (@fifteenrugbyxv), or through email (writers@fifteenrugby.com).
