As half term approaches, there is some exciting rugby coming up over the next few days, including some exciting games at famous grounds.
The action actually all started on Monday evening at London Irish’s Hazelwood complex as Trinity and Hampton met for an exciting game, which Trinity just edged, 22-15.
The rugby continues on Tuesday with two excellent fixtures. First King’s Macclesfield host Argentine tourists Liceo, before Bablake and King Henry VIII, Coventry meet for their annual classic derby clash. This year it takes place at Broadstreet RFC, which hosted Wellington College v Sedbergh in November and used to be the home of the Schools Cup semi finals.
On Wednesday there is a huge game at Preston Grasshoppers RFC as Stonyhurst College and Manchester Grammar meet in a hugely anticipated John Fletcher Lancashire U18 County Cup final.
Elsewhere, many eyes will be on the re-arranged Hampton v Whitgift fixture, a key game with Hampton looking to bounce back from Monday’s defeat and Whitgift keen to keep their momentum going ahead of next month’s U18 Schools Cup semi final against Warwick.
Queen Ethelburga’s once again take on AASE competition in midweek, they face Brooksby Melton College on Wednesday. Elsewhere Emmanuel College face King’s Priory, Richard Challoner welcome Guildford County School, and Ibstock Place are in action against Latymer Upper.
There is more exciting action in the South East as Ravens Wood host Maidstone Grammar School for what should be a close encounter, Harrodian meanwhile host Cobham International, while Hayes travel to Salesian.
In the Midlands, meanwhile, Welbeck make the trip to Shrewsbury. Solihull will be keen to bounce back from Saturday’s loss to King’s Macclesfield as they host Alcester Grammar, while there is an exciting cross-border clash in Wales Whitchurch High School host Sir Thomas Rich’s, a game that promises to be fantastic.
Staying in Wales there is also 7s going on this Wednesday as Rydal Penrhos host a small tournament at Burnage Rugby Club, with Giggleswick, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Oswestry, and Birkenhead all making the trip.
Commenting ahead of the tournament, Rydal Penrhos Director of Sport, Allen Boyd, said:
“Our U18 competition was a tremendous success last year, and hopefully it will be another great demonstration of the amount of rugby talent throughout the region.”
“The players have been working immensely hard in the lead-up to the competition, and their commitment will hopefully bring with it some strong performances that we can build on for the 7s season ahead.”
With half term coming at the end of the week, there is very little rugby over the weekend, however there are a couple of fixtures.
King’s Macclesfield are in action for the second time in a week, they travel to Adam’s Grammar School, while Newcastle-Under-Lyme return to the fifteen-a-side game after Wednesday’s 7s exertions, they host King Henry VIII Coventry, who will also have been in action in their classic against Bablake on Tuesday night.
As always, if you have any videos, photos, or reports from the weekend’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).
Schools Rugby Midweek Fixtures (predictions in bold):
Monday
Hampton 15-22 Trinity (London Irish RFC)
Tuesday
Bablake v King Henry VIII, Coventry (Broadstreet RFC)
King’s Macclesfield v Liceo, Argentina
Wednesday
Brooksby Melton College v Queen Ethelburga’s
Emmanuel College v King’s Priory
Hampton v Whitgift
Harrodian v Cobham International
Ravens Wood v Maidstone GS
Richard Challoner v Guildford County School
Latymer Upper v Ibstock Place
Salesian v Hayes
Shrewsbury v Welbeck
Solihull v Alcester GS
Stonyhurst College v Manchester GS (County Cup Final, Preston Grasshoppers RFC)
Whitchurch High School v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Rydal Penrhos 7s: Birkenhead, Giggleswick, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Oswestry, Rydal Penrhos
Saturday
Adams Grammar School v King’s Macclesfield
Newcastle-Under-Lyme v King Henry VIII, Coventry