The week’s school rugby was dominated by the Champions Trophy, the Schools Cup, and the Vase and Bowl competitions, however there was other rugby on show too.
Other top quality rugby, at that. Chief among that top class schools rugby was a special game on Tuesday night at Clifton RFC, the Ryan Bresnahan Memorial match.
The game this year saw Clifton College host Millfield in the annual memorial game for former Clifton pupil Ryan Bresnahan, who sadly died of meningitis. Always a special occasion, for the cause behind it, for the special atmosphere under the lights, for the superb setting, and, of course, for the sheer quality of the rugby.
This was no different as the two sides that have had flying starts to the season engaged in something of a titanic tussle, and boy was it close, oh so close. Millfield took the win to maintain their 100% record but it was tight at 15-12 in their favour. In reality though, this game was not about the result or even the rugby, it was about the occasion and the memory, and what an occasion it was.
Another great occasion, albeit in a different context, was the Oxford derby on Tuesday afternoon. It was the first of the trio of derbies between Abingdon, Radley College, and St Edward’s, this one seeing Radley College host St Edward’s.
A cracking game ensued, with Radley College making good on the early season form that they have shown so far to secure a 29-17 victory.
Finally on Tuesday there was a superb performance from Duke of York’s Royal Military School, who beat Sir Roger Manwood’s 68-0 away from home.
Wednesday saw some big results in Wales, Cathedral School Llandaff secured an important 26-21 win over King’s Gloucester, while over at Llandovery College the hosts were in absolutely sensational form for a stunning 54-0 win over Gower College.
The tries were flowing elsewhere too, not least for St George’s College, Weybridge, who beat Tiffin 51-18. St George’s are quietly going along very nicely this year and look as though they are going to be a real threat for every side that they come up against.
John Hampden, meanwhile, were also in the points as they almost reached the half century in a 46-7 win over Sir William Borlase’s, a superbly impressive performance.
Finally on Thursday Monkton Combe secured a fantastic win at home in a big South Western battle, beating Kingswood 31-12.
All in all it was a fantastic midweek of rugby, and while it might not have grabbed the headlines of the knockout games, it sets us up perfectly for some cracking looking Friday evening games and a huge Saturday of schools rugby.
A reminder that we welcome any photos, videos, and reports from your school’s games – the more the merrier! You can send them in to us via any of the methods below:
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Schools Rugby Midweek Results:
Tuesday
Clifton College 12-15 Millfield (Ryan Bresnahan Memorial, Clifton RFC)
Radley College 29-17 St Edward’s, Oxford
Sir Roger Manwood’s 0-68 Duke of York’s RMS
Wednesday
Cathedral School, Llandaff 26-21 King’s Gloucester
John Hampden 46-7 Sir William Borlase’s
Llandovery College 54-0 Gower College
St George’s College Weybridge 51-18 Tiffin
Thursday
Monkton Combe 31-12 Kingswood
