After a busy week of U18 Schools Cup, Plate, Vase, and Bowl action last week, the last few games of the last 32 rounds are played this week.
The winners of these last 32 games head to the last 16, which are also effectively ‘regional finals’ as they determine the side from each of the 8 regions to head into the quarter final stage, at which point the competition is drawn on a genuinely national basis.
Tuesday
Cup
There are two massive Cup games on Tuesday, who in Midlands B. One is surely going to grab all the headlines this week as major rivals, and the competition’s two most recent winners, go head to head – Bromsgrove (2015 & 2016 champions) v Warwick (2017 & 2018) champions. It looks set to be an absolute belter.
The other game will see Uppingham, who lost at the weekend but are having a strong season, host a well resourced Mount St Mary’s College side – a side that have been tearing up trees. The two winners will meet in the regional final.
Plate
Two of the strongest sides in the Plate go head to head in the Plate on Tuesday, Oundle and Bloxham in Midlands A. The winner will travel to Vase holders Langley for the regional final.
Bowl
The Bowl sees three games on Wednesday, Robert Smyth host Hitchingbrooke in Midlands A, with the winner facing Hithcin in the Last 16. London & South East A sees Watford Grammar travel to Sandringham, with the winner hosting Glyn. Meanwhile in South West A Mount Kelly host Clayesmore, the winner will face either Frome or Sheldon, who are yet to confirm when their fixture will be.
Wednesday
Cup
There are three big Cup games on Wednesday. In London & South East A unbeaten Eltham College hosts 2010 and 2011 champions Whitgift in a massive game. A trip to the ever challenging Campion is the reward for the winner.
London & South East B sees both last 32 games take place on Wednesday, with bang in form Seaford College hosting a Caterham side that was sensational prior to half term. It should be a brilliant contest. As will the other, the Wimbledon derby, Wimbledon College v KCS Wimbledon. The two met earlier in the season, College winning, but the atmosphere for this one will be at absolute fever pitch, not to be missed.
Plate
In North B Hymers College travel to Ermysted’s Grammar, with a trip to Yarm the reward for the winner. Meanwhile in London & South East B Christ’s Hospital host George Abbot, with the winner facing either London Oratory or Emanuel once the side progressing from their draw is confirmed. South West B also sees a cracker as St Peter’s Gloucester host Abingdon, the victors there host Cokethrorpe in the regional final.
Vase
Both North A games take place on Wednesday as Crossley Heath travel to Ashville College and Newcastle School for Boys host Ripon Grammar. Midlands B meanwhile sees Bishop Vesey’s host Shrewsbury, with a trip to KES Stratford in the offing for the victor. Meanwhile in London & South East A St George’s Weybridge host Wallington County Grammar, St Benedict’s will host the winner of that one.
Bowl
In Midlands B Bablake host King’s Worcester, St Joseph’s College (Stoke) will travel to the winner of that one. Meanwhile both South West B fixtures take place on Wednesday, Reading host St Bartholomew’s, while Wycliffe College host Cirencester College.
TBA
In addition to the Frome v Sheldon fixture in the Bowl, Giggleswick v King William’s College in North B is also still to be confirmed in the Bowl.
Over in the Vase there are also two fixtures without a confirmed date, Dartford Grammar v Duke of York’s Royal Military School in London & South East B and St Laurence v Dauntsey’s in South West A.
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U18 Schools Cup/Plate/Vase/Bowl catch up fixtures (predictions in bold):
Tuesday
Bromsgrove v Warwick (Cup, Midlands B)
Uppingham v Mount St Mary’s (Cup, Midlands B)
Oundle v Bloxham (Plate, Midlands A)
Mount Kelly v Clayesmore (Bowl, South West A)
Robert Smyth v Hitchingbrooke (Bowl, Midlands A)
Sandringham v Watford GS (Bowl, London & South East A)
Wednesday
Eltham College v Whitgift (Cup, London & South East A)
Seaford College v Caterham (Cup, London & South East B)
Wimbledon College v KCS Wimbledon (Cup, London & South East B)
Christ’s Hospital v George Abbot (Plate, London & South East B)
Ermysted’s GS v Hymers College (Plate, North B)
St Peter’s, Gloucester v Abingdon (Plate, South West B)
Ashville College v Crossley Heath (Vase, North A)
Bishop Vesey’s GS v Shrewsbury (Vase, Midlands B)
Newcastle SfB v Ripon GS (Vase, North A)
St George’s, Weybridge v Wallington CGS (Vase, London & South East A)
Bablake v King’s Worcester (Bowl, Midlands B)
Reading v St Bartholomew’s (Bowl, South West B)
Wycliffe College v Cirencester (Bowl, South West B)
TBA
Dartford GS v Duke of York’s RMS (Vase, London & South East B) – TBA
St Laurence v Dauntsey’s (Vase, South West A) – TBA
Frome v Sheldon (Bowl, South West A) – TBA
Giggleswick v King William’s College (Bowl, North B) – TBA
