Phase 2 of the AASE League kicked off on Wednesday following the half term break at the end of Phase 1.
In phase 1 the 14 teams were split into two conferences, North and South. From those two conferences, the top four sides in each were then split into two Divisions, with 1st and 3rd in the Northern Conference joining 2nd and 4th from the Southern Conference in Pool A, and 1st and 3rd in the Southern Conference combined with 2nd and 4th from the Northern Conference in Pool B.
Meanwhile the bottom three sides from each of those two original Phase 1 pools are also split into two Phase 2 pools, however these remain North and South split.
Division 1 Pool A
Gosforth Academy were the top seeds in this Pool after finishing top of the Phase 1 Northern Conference with a perfect 30 points out of 30 from their 6 games. However they were stunned on Wednesday by Truro College, who finished 4th in the Southern Conference, the Exeter Chiefs affiliates winning 44-22 to really throw that cat amongst the pigeons at the start of this second phase.
The other game also saw the South come out on top as the reigning Champions, Hartpury College, who finished 2nd in the Southern Conference in phase 1, beat Brooksby Melton College, who were 3rd in the North, 22-10.
Division 1 Pool B
Pool B also saw the Southern sides dominate. Like Gosforth in the North, Beechen Cliff enjoyed a perfect 30 points from 30 in their phase 1 group with 6 wins from six. They made it seven wins from seven on Wednesday with an impressive 33-5 victory over Oaklands College.
Exeter College, 3rd in the Southern Conference, were also in fine form as they beat a good Bishop Burton side, who finished 2nd in the North, 29-10 away from home – a really strong start for them.
Division 2 North Pool
With just three teams in the Division 2 pools, each only has one game per week. In the North Pool that game was definitely worth it though as Stourport High School, new in the league this year, claimed their first victory of the season. They had come close against Moulton College in the 1st phase, losing 20-17, and went one better this time for a 27-19 victory.
Division 2 South Pool
The sole game in the South Pool this week was Henley College v St Paul’s Catholic College, however the result from that game is yet to be confirmed.
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:
Twitter: @FifteenRugbyXV
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FifteenRugby
Instagram: @fifteenrugbyxv
Email: writers@fifteenrugby.com
AASE League – Phase 2 Round 1 Results:
Division 1 – Pool A
Hartpury College 22-10 Brooksby Melton College
Gosforth Academy 22-44 Truro College
Division 1 – Pool B
Beechen Cliff 33-5 Oaklands College
Bishop Burton College 10-29 Exeter College
Division 2 – North Pool
Stourport High School 27-19 Moulton College
Division 2 – South Pool
Henley College v St Paul’s Catholic College – Result TBA
Image via Greg Ayliffe