This week has seen the final few last 32 fixtures in the U18 Schools Cup, Plate, Vase, and Bowl take place.
Across all four competitions there were some fantastic fixtures as the final remaining last 16 ties were confirmed. These last 16 ties are effectively the Regional Finals.
In each of the four tournaments the country is split into eight regions, from each region one side emerges from the Last 16 round, these eight sides are then put in the hat for a nationally drawn quarter final stage.
Schools Cup
On Tuesday the reigning champions, Warwick, travelled to the 2015 and 2016 champions, Bromsgrove. A tight game emerged, but the champions were victorious, winning 13-7 away from home. It set up a last 16 tie against Uppingham, who beat a strong Mount St Mary’s side 34-15 on the same day.
Moving into Wednesday, the two London & South East sections came into view. In London & South East A Whitgift, 2010 and 2011 champions, beat the previously unbeaten Eltham College 31-12 to set up an away last 16 tie against Campion. Meanwhile in London & South East B both ties took place, Seaford College putting in a strong performance for a 32-5 victory over Caterham. They face Wimbledon College next round after they beat KCS Wimbledon for the second time this season on Wednesday, 28-15.
Cup Last 16 Ties:
Wilmslow HS v Wirral Grammar (North A)
RGS Newcastle v Woodhouse Grove (North B)
Norwich v Rugby (Midlands A)
Warwick v Uppingham (Midlands B)
Campion v Whitgift (London & South East A)
Seaford College v Wimbledon College (London & South East B)
Ivybridge CC v Portsmouth Grammar (South West A)
Sir Thomas Rich’s/Dean Close v Marlborough College (South West B)
Schools Plate
There was just one Plate game on Tuesday as one of the tournament favourites, Bloxham, put in a strong performance to beat Oundle 27-3. Two Ben Stapleton tries helped them pull away in a tight encounter in which they led just 8-3 at the break. It sets up an away tie with Vase champions Langley next round.
Wednesday was a busier day in the Plate, North B saw Hymers College win a thriller at Ermysted’s Grammar, 32-29, to set up a last 16 tie at Yarm. Meanwhile in London & South East B Christ’s Hospital were flying, beating George Abbot 62-12, they now face London Oratory at home. Finally in South West B Abingdon were in strong form at St Peter’s, Gloucester, winning 25-3. They will host Cokethorpe in the Last 16.
Plate Last 16 Ties:
Cheadle Hulme v Merchant Taylors’ (North A)
Yarm v Hymers College (North B)
Langley v Bloxham (Midlands A)
Old Swinford Hospital v Trent College (Midlands B)
Seevic v Skinners’ (London & South East A)
Christ’s Hospital v London Oratory (London & South East B)
Exeter v Sherborne (South West A)
Abingdon v Cokethorpe (South West B)
Schools Vase
There was no action in the Vase on Tuesday, but Wednesday was a busy day. North A’s last 16 ties were confirmed after Newcastle School for Boys beat Ripon Grammar 17-10 and Ashville College won 20-19 at the death against Crossley Heath.
Over in Midlands B Bishop Vesey’s Grammar enjoyed a 25-14 victory over Shrewsbury to set up a last 16 tie at KES Stratford. London & South East A saw St George’s College, Weybridge, secure a strong 48-7 victory over Wallington County Grammar. The Schools Bowl holders now travel to St Benedict’s in the last 16. Meanwhile in London & South East B Dartford Grammar were in flying form, a 55-14 victory over Duke of York’s Royal Military School setting up a home Regional Final against Hayes.
Vase Last 16 Ties:
Newcastle School for Boys v Ashville College (North A)
Worksop College v Austin Friars (North B)
Samuel Whitbread v Aylesbury Grammar (Midlands A)
KES Stratford v Bishop Vesey’s Grammar (Midlands B)
St Benedict’s v St George’s College, Weybridge (London & South East A)
Dartford Grammar v Hayes (London & South East B)
Plymouth College v St Laurence/Dauntsey’s (South West A)
The Crypt v The Oratory (South West B)
Schools Bowl
Tuesday saw Robert Smyth enjoy a strong 52-0 victory over Hitchingbrooke in Midlands A, a trip to Hitchin for the Last 16 is their reward. In London & South East A Watford Grammar were in strong for too, beating Sandringham 54-10, they will host Glyn in the Last 16. Meanwhile in South West A Mount Kelly secured a brilliant 48-0 win over Clayesmore, Frome or Sheldon will be their opponents, when they eventually play their fixture.
Wednesday saw King’s Worcester emerge in Midlands B in an incredibly tight game with Bablake, 25-24, St Joseph’s College Stoke will be their Last 16 opponents. Wednesday also saw both South West B last 32 fixtures take place, Wycliffe College will host St Bartholomew’s after a brilliant 47-0 win over Cirencester College for Wycliffe, while St Bartholomew’s won a thriller 22-21 at Reading.
Bowl Last 16 Ties:
Ampleforth College v Prince Henry’s Grammar (North A)
Lady Manners v King William’s College (North B)
Hitchin v Robert Smyth (Midlands A)
King’s Worcester v St Joseph’s College (Midlands B)
Watford Grammar v Glyn (London & South East A)
Chatham & Clarendon v Ravens Wood (London & South East B)
Mount Kelly v Frome/Sheldon (South West A)
Wycliffe College v St Bartholomew’s (South West B)
Image via Sue Green
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U18 Schools Cup/Plate/Vase/Bowl catch up Results:
Tuesday
Bromsgrove 7-13 Warwick (Cup, Midlands B)
Uppingham 34-15 Mount St Mary’s (Cup, Midlands B)
Oundle 3-27 Bloxham (Plate, Midlands A)
Mount Kelly 48-0 Clayesmore (Bowl, South West A)
Robert Smyth 52-0 Hitchingbrooke (Bowl, Midlands A)
Sandringham 10-54 Watford GS (Bowl, London & South East A)
Wednesday
Eltham College 12-31 Whitgift (Cup, London & South East A)
Seaford College 32-5 Caterham (Cup, London & South East B)
Wimbledon College 28-15 KCS Wimbledon (Cup, London & South East B)
Christ’s Hospital 62-12 George Abbot (Plate, London & South East B)
Ermysted’s GS 29-32 Hymers College (Plate, North B)
St Peter’s, Gloucester 3-25 Abingdon (Plate, South West B)
Ashville College 20-19 Crossley Heath (Vase, North A)
Bishop Vesey’s GS 25-14 Shrewsbury (Vase, Midlands B)
Dartford GS 55-14 Duke of York’s RMS (Vase, London & South East B)
Newcastle SfB 17-10 Ripon GS (Vase, North A)
St George’s, Weybridge 48-7 Wallington CGS (Vase, London & South East A)
Bablake 24-25 King’s Worcester (Bowl, Midlands B)
Reading 21-22 St Bartholomew’s (Bowl, South West B)
Wycliffe College 47-0 Cirencester (Bowl, South West B)
Still to Come:
Sir Thomas Rich’s v Dean Close (Cup, South West B) – Wed 28th
St Laurence v Dauntsey’s (Vase, South West A) – Date TBA
Frome v Sheldon (Bowl, South West A) – Date TBA
