Following the start of the U18 Schools Cup a fortnight ago, the U18 Schools Plate now officially begins this week.

For those unfamiliar, the U18 Plate consists of those sides knocked out in the first round of the U18 Cup. It is still split regionally, and essentially mirrors the Cup.

That means that in each section there are eight teams, so the tournament begins at the regional quarter final stage. As with the other knockout competitions, the winner from each region then goes into the pot for the national quarter finals.

There is also Champions Trophy, Schools Cup, and Schools Vase action on this week and you can see our previews for the action in those competitions via the links below.

Champions Trophy Round 2 Preview

Schools Cup Round 2 Preview

Schools Vase Round 3 Preview

Here were look at the upcoming Plate fixtures region by region.

U18 Schools Plate Draw & Fixtures:

North A

Round 1

Stockport GS v Ermysed’s GS – TBA

Giggleswick v Bradford GS (Wednesday 16^th)

Silcoates v Merchant Taylors’ – TBA

Calday Grange GS v St Mary’s College – TBA

Three of the games in the North A section are yet to have a completely confirmed, though they are likely to take place this week. Arguably the headline tie of the section though has been confirmed and that takes place a week out of sync on Wednesday 16^th. It will see a highly in form Bradford Grammar School side travel to Giggleswick, and the two will by then know which of Stockport Grammar or Ermysted’s Grammar they will face next.

North B

Round 1

Dame Allan’s v BYE

Hartlepool 6^th form College v BYE

Grammar School at Leeds v BYE

Prince Henry’s GS v Hymers College – TBA

North B has only one first round fixture, the other three all have byes. That game is Hymers College’s trip to Prince Henry’s Grammar School. The winner will face a tough second round trip to Grammar School at Leeds, who only narrowly lost out in the Cup. Dame Allan’s and Hartlepool 6^th for College both have byes and will meet at Dame Allan’s in Round 2.

Midlands A

Round 1

Sir John Dean’s v BYE

Wrekin College v King’s Worcester – TBA

Worksop College v Trent College (Wednesday)

Bishop Vesey’s GS v Bloxham (Wednesday)

Sir John Dean’s have a bye in Midlands A Round 1 and will host the winner of a tough looking clash between Worksop College and King’s Worcester. There are two confirmed games on Wednesday, both should be strong games. Worksop College host Trent College, while the reigning champions, Bloxham, begin their defence with a trip to Bishop Vesey’s Grammar.

Midlands B

Round 1

Stowe v BYE

Bedford Modern v BYE

Bishop Stortford’s HS v BYE

Royal Hospital School v BYE

All four sides in Midlands B have a first round bye, which means that we already know the second round ties. At the top of the draw Stowe will host Bedford Modern, while the other sees Bishop Stortford High School host an in form Royal Hospital School side.

London & South East A

Round 1

Watford GS v St Benedict’s (Wednesday)

St George’s College, Weybridge v BYE

Tiffin v Cobham International (Wednesday)

Reed’s v Christ’s Hospital (Wednesday)

St George’s College Weybridge have a first round bye in London & South East A and, such is their form, they must be among the favourites. They will travel to either Watford Grammar or former Cup winners St Benedict’s next, those two meet on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday are both games on the other sie of the draw, with Tiffin hosting Cobham international and Reed’s, another strong side, welcoming Christ’s Hospital.

London & South East B

Round 1

Eltham College v Colfe’s (Saturday 12^th)

St Olave’s GS v Langley Park (Wednesday)

Richard Challoner v BYE

Cardinal Newman v BYE

One of the regional semi finals in London & South East B is already known, with Richard Challoner hosting Cardinal Newman as both have first round byes. The other will be known by Saturday evening. On Wednesday St Olave’s, who had a tough time against the Cup champions Whitgift to end up in the Plate, host Langley Park. The winner of that will then be keeping a close eye on Eltham College v Colfe’s, which takes place on Saturday.

South West A

Round 1

Dean Close v BYE

Downside v BYE

Bridgwater & Taunton College v Richard Huish – TBA

BYE v BYE

There is only one first round game in South West A and for the winners the prize is huge, a bye straight to the regional final as the other game in their half is all byes. So either Bridgwater & Taunton College or Richard Huish will be in the final. The top half of the draw sees Dean Close and Downside both enjoy byes, they will therefore meet in the regional semi, likely to be one of the best of the lost, with the winner facing the winner of the Bridgwater v Richard Huish game for that national quarter final spot.

South West B

Round 1

Marlborough College v Reading Blue Coat – TBA

Pangbourne College v Dr Challoner’s GS (Wednesday)

Portsmouth GS v Bye

Bishop Wordsworth’s v BYE

Pangbourne College v Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is a massive opening round game in South West B on Wednesday. The winner of that faces the winner of another massive first round game, Marlborough College v Reading Blue Coat, which is also likely to take place this week. The bottom half of the draw sees Portsmouth Grammar and Bishop Wordsworth’s both enjoy byes, Portsmouth will play hosts therefore to Bishop Wordsworth’s in the next round.

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