The excitement of the start of the 7s season grabbed most of the headlines this weekend on the school scene, but there was some fantastic fifteen-a-side action too.
Most exciting of all was the U18 Schools Bowl semi final between King’s Worcester and Ampleforth College. The two sides were playing for a place in the U18 Schools Bowl Final at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium on Tuesday 19th March, where either Glyn or Mount Kelly will be their opponents, and they put together an extraordinary game of rugby.
Ampleforth College came racing out of the blocks, heading into half time with a sizeable 24-7 lead and in control of the game. King’s Worcester fought back a little in the second half though, and with under ten minutes to go they had narrowed the gap somewhat, but at 31-19 to Ampleforth, there was still a twelve point gap.
Two converted tries then to win. King’s Worcester did the first part well, securing a converted try as they clock went under eight minutes left to play, 31-26. Then came the most agonising and enthralling period of play, regardless of your persuasion and King’s battered through endless pick and go routines, hammering away but Ampleforth were unyielding.
With the clock deep in the red though, the dam just had to burst eventually and so it did, with King’s barreling over to level the game in the final play. That left the conversion and it was struck sweet and true to send King’s Worcester into the final at their most local major rugby stadium with the most extraordinary 33-31 victory.
Elsewhere on Saturday there was slightly less drama, an a whole heap less riding on much of the action, nevertheless it was still a brilliant weekend.
Hampton bounced back from last week’s tough defeat to Warwick with a 36-7 victory over Campion, but Warwick continued their own excellent form as they build towards that Schools Cup semi final in March with a 35-5 victory over RGS High Wycombe.
Brighton College picked up another tight win in horrible conditions, 11-3 over Judd, while Abraham Darby beat Repton in a tight one, 26-24. KES Birmingham and Bablake could not be separated at 19-19, while it was almost as close in Coventry as King Henry VIII just edged out Lawrence Sheriff 19-17. Bishop Vesey’s Grammar found the going slightly easier though, they enjoyed a good 35-5 away win over KES Camp Hill.
Scotland saw plenty of action, among it a 19-14 victory for Dollar Academy over St Aloysius’ College, while Edinburgh Academy beat Glasgow Academy 38-14, and Hutchesons’ were 41-10 victors at home to Carrick Academy. Stewart’s Melville won a tight one at home to George Heriot’s, 25-22, while Dundee High School were 28-15 winners at St Leonard’s.
In the North West of England King’s Macclesfield’s good form continues with a 31-22 victory against Wirral Grammar, wile Manchester Grammar were also in action against a side from the Wirral, Calday Grange Grammar, beating them 29-19.
Further south there was an absolute thriller at Skinners’, with the hosts edging out Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar by just a point, 22-21. Latymer Upper meanwhile beat the American School 37-7, while John Fisher were in sparkling form against Tiffin, winning 48-7 away from home.
Friday night also saw action as City of London Freemen’s met Wimbledon College in a real celebration of their U6ths’ time on the rugby fields. Wimbledon RFC was the host club, and Wimbledon College came out the victors, though the final score 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:
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Image via King’s Worcester
Schools Rugby Weekend Results:
Saturday
Abraham Darby 26-24 Repton
Brighton College 11-3 Judd
Dollar Academy 19-14 St Aloysius’ College
Edinburgh Academy 38-14 Glasgow Academy
Hampton 36-7 Campion
Hutchesons’ GS 41-10 Carrick Academy
KES Camp Hill 5-35 Bishop Vesey’s GS
KES Birmingham 19-19 Bablake
King Henry VIII, Coventry 19-17 Lawrence Sheriff
King’s Macclesfield 31-22 Wirral GS
King’s Worcester 33-31 Ampleforth College (Schools Bowl SF)
Manchester GS 29-19 Calday Grange GS
Skinners’ 22-21 Chislehurst & Sidcup GS
Stewart’s Melville 25-22 George Heriot’s
St Leonards 15-28 Dundee HS
The American School 7-37 Latymer Upper
Tiffin 7-48 John Fisher
Warwick 35-5 RGS High Wycombe
Friday
City of London Freemen’s v Wimbledon College
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