With the thrills of another brilliant midweek of school rugby coming to a close, it is time again to look ahead to what is expected to be yet another awesome weekend.
Last weekend was a classic, the results card was littered with games that went right down to the wire and with any luck a repeat might be on the way this weekend. There are some monstrous fixtures, not least one in Yorkshire that it feels as though the season has been counting towards for some time now.
With so many massive games taking place on Thursday, and a number of boarding schools having an exeat weekend, the fixture list is slightly reduced compared to normal but is certainly not lacking in any quality.
Focus On
Berkhamsted v St Paul’s
A really exciting fixture between two sides that have performed exceptionally well this season to date. Berkhamsted have been playing some fantastic rugby, but they will need to be switched on right from the start after a ten day lay off following their victory over Oakham at Allianz Park last Wednesday. St Paul’s meanwhile have just hit a tough patch of form, a draw with Tonbridge sandwiched between narrow defeats to Bristol Grammar and Eton College. Reversing that slight iffy patch against Berkhamsted would be an impressive achievement given Berkhamsted’s quality, but St Paul’s have plenty of quality of their own to do the job.
Prediction: Berkhamsted
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Bishop Wordsworth’s v Marlborough College
A really exciting game this, and one with a good back story behind the scenes as Marlborough coach Terry Gilmour takes his side to the school he guided to the Schools Cup final back in March 2017. Both are playing good rugby this season, including two defeats of Sherborne for Bishop Wordsworth’s. Marlborough meanwhile have been really excellent, only Radley and Eton have toppled them and both of those were incredibly tight games. It all ought to set up for a cracking encounter on Saturday afternoon, Marlborough probably start as favourites after such a strong season so far, however there is very little in this and it could go either way.
Prediction: Marlborough College
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Blundell’s v Bristol Grammar
Another really exciting game between two sides that are having brilliant seasons. Bristol Grammar will be hurting after such a narrow Champions Trophy exit to Wellington College on Tuesday, but at the same time they will be bursting with pride at the spirit of that performance and determined to make sure that they carry it through to Saturday. For Blundell’s it is a massive game too though, a narrow win over Millfield a fortnight ago was a real high point of the season for them and they will be utterly determined not to let the momentum of a victory like that burst. Both are top quality sides, and as ever that should set us up for an outstanding game of rugby on Saturday.
Prediction: Blundell’s
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Bromsgrove v Stowe
It will be two weeks since Stowe’s last game when this kicks off, a defeat to Rugby School being their last game. The week before that though they got their first win of the season, so they should still travel with much more confidence than they have had through the rest of the season. Bromsgrove are going to be a tough nut to crack though, they are having a good season that perhaps has not received the attention it should, only Millfield, Warwick, and Rugby have defeated them, three top sides. Bromsgrove’s defeat to Rugby was 20-12, while Stowe’s was 38-5, suggesting that Bromsgrove start as favourites, but Stowe will be up for this, have no doubt about that.
Prediction: Bromsgrove
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Dulwich College v Tonbridge
A couple of years ago this was one of the fixtures of the season, where year on year these two were two of the top three of four in the country, at least. They might not be quite at those heights right now, but Dulwich in particular are not far off. They hold the Champions Trophy, at least for a couple more weeks, and are having a brilliant season. Only Wellington, Hampton, and Whitgift have beaten them, and against Hampton and Whitgift in particular the margins were so fine as to be completely heartbreaking from a Dulwich points of view. Tonbridge’s season has been slightly different, four defeats from their opening 6 was a tough start but since a win over Eastbourne in October they have been flying, beating Harrow and King’s Canterbury and drawing with St Paul’s, they would love to keep that run going on Saturday.
Prediction: Dulwich College
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Hampton v Cranleigh
This has been a cracking little rivalry on the 7s field in the last few years, and it could well be on the 15s field this year. Hampton are having an excellent season, winning some massive games and only losing twice despite some injury troubles in key positions. Cranleigh are quietly in great form too though, they are on a five game winning streak and have not lost since mid-September. Even then only Brighton and Epsom defeated them, so it looks as though we are in for a fantastic game of rugby on Saturday with both sides feeling confident and playing some brilliant rugby this season.
Prediction: Hampton
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Millfield v Whitgift
This is an absolutely fascinating game, there is no doubt that both are exceptional sides this year and with any luck that should set us up for a fantastic game on Saturday. Prior to half term Millfield were flying, unbeaten in a run of games that included a brilliant win over Wellington College, one of the best games of the season to date. Since then injuries have hit though and the going has been ever so slightly tougher, even so they have still won two from three, beating Cheltenham and Llandovery while losing to Blundell’s in between. Whitgift have been flying too, they haven’t lost since September when they suffered narrow defeats to Wellington and Sedbergh, two of the very best. Last week they showed stunning spirit to come from behind to beat Dulwich, proving they are a team for all occasions. If both are at their absolute best you’d fancy Millfield to edge it, but anything less than that and Whitgift will pounce. This could be spectacular.
Prediction: Millfield
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Seaford College v Wimbledon College (Schools Cup)
This game is the London & South East B Regional Final in the U18 Schools Cup, the winner will be heading to the quarter finals, so there is plenty at stake on Saturday. Seaford are flying this season, only Whitgift have defeated them in the regular season, though the St Joseph’s Festival was a slightly tougher experience. They will be feeling great ahead of this one, particularly with home advantage, however they face a Wimbledon College side that will be feeling equally good. Wimbledon have not been defeated since an opening day loss to St John’s Leatherhead, a ten game run that is going to take some stopping. Even without the Cup element riding on this it would suggest a great contest, throw the Cup into the mix too and we could have a classic.
Prediction: Seaford College
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Uppingham v Warwick (Schools Cup)
Another U18 Schools Cup game to make our Focus On list, this one is the Midlands B Regional Final. Warwick, of course, are the reigning champions with back to back titles behind them, Uppingham meanwhile have no such Cup record. Nevertheless, they are enjoying one of their best seasons in a long time, only losing three games and beating rivals such as Stamford and Oundle. Their Cup run to date has been excellent, but in Warwick they face a formidable opponent. Their Cup run has seen them hand out heavy defeats to Old Swinford Hospital and Solihull before defeating 2015 and 2016 champions Bromsgrove in the last round. Outside of the Cup only Wellington, Whitgift, and Sedbergh have defeated them, three of the best around. Chasing three titles in a row is a pressurized situation though, one that Uppingham will hope to exploit.
Prediction: Warwick
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Woodhouse Grove v Sedbergh
This is just massive. Both sides are unbeaten, both are playing some stunning rugby, and both are rightly regarded as being among the very best teams in the country. The Sedbergh fixture list has been tougher, featuring the likes of Whitgift, RGS Newcastle, Kirkham Grammar and, last week, Warwick. They have sailed through it unbeaten and are looking just as formidable as last year’s all-conquering outfit. This game is one of a run of four that will define their season though, having beaten Warwick last week they face Woodhouse Grove on Saturday ahead of games against Wellington College then Millfield. Come through it unscathed and they will have no doubters. Woodhouse Grove are in a similar situation though, a Cup win over RGS Newcastle on Wednesday sent them to their first ever quarter final, and this next few weeks with that Cup quarter plus games against Kirkham Grammar and Saturday against Sedbergh will define how their season is viewed. The stakes are massive on Saturday, and around the country people cannot wait for this one.
Prediction: Sedbergh
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Saturday
Outside of our Focus On games there are plenty of other fascinating fixtures on Saturday among them Abingdon v RGS Guildford, Abingdon ought to be confident after a midweek Plate win over St Peter’s Gloucester, while RGS have played some excellent rugby so far this year. St Peter’s meanwhile have an incredible challenge on Saturday as they welcome the outstanding Kirkham Grammar to town, Kirkham once again putting some serious miles in as they expand their catalogue of opponents.
Brighton College’s trip to John Fisher ought to be a good one too, it usually makes for a cracking game of rugby. While Brighton might be having a stronger season that John Fisher, you can be sure that the Croydon hosts will make life incredibly tough for Brighton, who will have to work incredibly hard for victory or Fisher will be poised to pounce.
Whizzing round the M25, St John’s Leatherhead host KCS Wimbledon. St John’s are having a strong year again, while KCS have had it a bit tougher, but Saturday should see a good contest. There ought also to be a good contest in Oxfordshire where St Edward’s, fresh from their first victory of the season, host The Oratory, who made it through to the Vase quarter finals on Wednesday.
In Hertfordshire Stamford will have to raise themselves up again after that stunning but exhausting victory over Rugby last week. They head to St Albans, and while they will start as favourites they will not want to let last week’s standards slip or St Albans will pounce.
St Joseph’s College suffered defeat to Denstone College in a brilliant game on Wednesday evening, they will be keen to bounce straight back at home on Saturday when they host Gresham’s. Meanwhile in the North RGS Newcastle are also seeking to bounce straight back after midweek defeat, they lost out to Woodhouse Grove in the Cup on Wednesday, and will have to be right back on it on Saturday to keep out a strong Lancaster RGS side.
Tom Burrow Cup
Saturday also sees the Tom Burrow Cup take place at Silcoates School. Usually held in March it has been moved to this weekend due to some of the difficulties that post-Christmas rugby is now posing to every school – a topic worthy of lengthy discussion elsewhere. Played in memory of much loved former Silcoates pupil Tom Burrow, Austin Friars, Altrincham Grammar, Yarm, and Newcastle School for Boys will all compete alongside Silcoates for what should be a very special afternoon of rugby.
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Schools Rugby Weekend Preview – Saturday 24th November (predictions in bold):
Focus On
Berkhamsted v St Paul’s
Bishop Wordsworth’s v Marlborough College
Blundell’s v Bristol GS
Bromsgrove v Stowe
Dulwich College v Tonbridge
Hampton v Cranleigh
Millfield v Whitgift
Seaford College v Wimbledon College (Schools Cup)
Warwick v Uppingham (Schools Cup)
Woodhouse Grove v Sedbergh
Saturday
Abingdon v RGS Guildford
Ashville College v Bradford GS
Aylesbury GS v Watford GS
Bishop Vesey’s GS v King’s Worcester
Campion v Dartford GS
Cardinal Vaughan v Enfield GS
Caterham v Worth
Cheadle Hulme v Manchester GS
Christ’s College v Plymouth College
Christ’s Hospital v King’s Canterbury
Churcher’s College v Halliford
City of London Freemen’s v Portsmouth GS
Claires Court v Windsor Boys
Clifton HS v Bristol Cathedral
Coopers’ Coborn v Colfe’s
Crossley Heath v Queen Ethelburga’s
Crypt v Colston’s
Dollar Academy v Robert Gordon’s College
Duke of York’s RMS v St Dunstan’s College
Durham v Dame Allan’s
Eltham College v Cranbrook
Emanuel v Latymer Upper
Glasgow HS v Strathallan
Grammar School at Leeds v Stockport GS
Hymers College v Birkdale
Ipswich v RGS Colchester
John Fisher v Brighton College
Judd v Langley Park
KES Birmingham v Adams GS
KES Southampton v Magdalen College
Kingswood v King’s College, Taunton
Lancaster RGS v RGS Newcastle
Leicester GS v Northampton SfB
Leys v Bishop’s Stortford HS
Maidstone GS v St Olave’s GS
Merchiston Castle v Fettes College
Morrison’s Academy v Kelvinside Academy
Newcastle-Under-Lyme v Bablake
Norwich v Wymondham College
Nottingham HS v Bedford Modern
Princethorpe College v Loughborough GS
Reading Blue Coat v St George’s College, Weybridge
Rendcomb College v St Edward’s, Cheltenham
RGS Worcester v KES Stratford
Rydal Penrhos v Shrewsbury
Shebbear College v Queen’s College, Taunton
Solihull v RGS High Wycombe
Stewart’s Melville v Glasgow Academy
St Albans v Stamford
St Aloysius’ College v Glenalmond College
St Ambrose College v Merchant Taylors’
St Benedict’s v UCS
St Edward’s, Oxford v The Oratory
St George’s Harpenden v Haberdashers’
St John’s, Leatherhead v KCS Wimbledon
St Joseph’s College v Gresham’s
St Peter’s, Gloucester v Kirkham GS
Tiffin v Coham International
Trinity v London Oratory
Wellingborough v King Henry VIII, Coventry
West Buckland v Wellington School
Wilmslow HS v Calday Grange GS
Wisbech GS v Culford
Tom Burrow Cup:
Silcoates, Yarm, Austin Friars, Altrincham Grammar, & Newcastle School for Boys.
