It has been a busy and exciting week of schools rugby, with knockout fixtures and special events happening throughout the week.
Despite some horrific conditions almost all fixtures were able to go ahead, a fact made all the more remarkable given the number of games that have already fallen foul of the weather this weekend.
Tuesday
Tuesday’s key game was the South West A Schools Cup regional semi final between Taunton School and Ivybridge Community College. Taunton proved to be in absolutely sparkling form as they raced away to a 48-7 victory that sees them into the regional final. They would find out their hosts for that game on Wednesday after Sir Thomas Rich’s and Sherborne met.
Over in the Schools Plate Bishop’s Stortford High School made it through to the Midlands B regional final after a 38-26 victory at home to Royal Hospital School. The victory means that they will travel to Stowe for that final, who were given a walkover against Bedford Modern.
Elsewhere Plymouth College were on form for a 31-7 victory over Wells Cathedral, while Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar beat Gravesend Grammar 12-3. Meanwhile in a big Cambridge derby The Leys came out on top against The Perse, 30-12.
Wednesday
After Tuesday’s key Schools Cup win all eyes at Taunton School were on Sir Thomas Rich’s v Sherborne as they met for the second South West A regional semi final. It was Sherborne that came out on top, playing superbly for a 44-10 victory that will see them host Taunton in the regional final.
There was also regional semi final in London & South East A as Mill Hill hosted KCS Wimbledon for the chance to meet John Fisher in the regional final. A cracking game broke out, with KCS making it through to that regional final with a 22-12 victory.
There was plenty of action in the Schools Plate, too. Reigning champions Bloxham were in action away at Worksop College in Midlands A and produce a clinical performance, scoring eight tries, including a hat-trick for prop Jack Wildman, as they secured a 50-0 victory. The victory sends them to King’s Worcester for the regional final, their 9th consecutive away match in knockout competition after being drawn in the bottom half in each of the last two seasons.
Grammar School at Leeds were in majestic form in North B a they stormed to a 61-0 victory over Hymers College to set up a regional final at Hartelpool 6th form College.
Over in the Vase there were victories for Glyn, 25-5 over Tring, and a very impressive one for Wellington School, who beat Malmesbury 52-10. Eastbourne College meanwhile were on top form for a 22-11 victory in a competitive game against Reigate Grammar.
The Schools Bowl meanwhile saw Birkdale beat Carre’s Grammar 29-7, while Royal Latin were 17-13 victors at Ratcliffe College.
Harlequins’ home ground, The Twickenham Stoop, hosted a particularly special afternoon of rugby with back to back fixtures. Early in the afternoon St John’s Leatherhead put in an outstanding performance to beat Caterham 41-12, then a few short hours later Gordon’s and Emanuel met in a really close contest, Gordon’s coming out on top, 18-16.
Elsewhere there were victories for Duke of York’s Royal Military School, Dr Challoner’s Grammar, and Claires Court, while The Judd were in brilliant form for a 45-26 victory at Colfe’s. Peter Symonds’ College meanwhile won 7-3 at Churcher’s College.
Durham were in exciting form too, securing a 52-0 victory over Ripon Grammar, Manchester Grammar were in equally good form as they beat Rishworth 57-17, while there were also victories for Forest School, Kings of Wessex, and Rossall. Latymer Upper, meanwhile, beat Wetherby 22-14 away from home.
In Wales Christ College were 24-21 victors over Bro Dinefwr, while compatriots Rydal Penrhos went down 19-7 to Shrewsbury. Over in Scotland Edinburgh Academy reached the Scottish Schools Cup semi finals with a 34-5 victory over Fettes College.
Lymm High School claimed the Cheshire Cup in a thrillingly close final, beating Cheadle Hulme 20-19, while in Kent Langley Park won their tie at Hayes 21-5. Meanwhile KES Five Ways were on form, beating KES Aston 40-0.
Thursday
On Thursday night there was a special game at Aylesbury RFC as Berkhamsted once again demonstrated their class with a brilliant 50-5 victory over Stowe.
There was also a thrilling game between Marlborough College and Beechen Cliff’s non-AASE side. The two shared 78 points in a bit of a classic, and it was Marlborough College that came out on top, winning 40-38. Elsewhere Milton Abbey beat Clayesmore 10-7 and St Lawrence College secured a 36-7 victory at Oakwood Park.
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Schools Rugby Midweek Results:
Tuesday
Bishop’s Stortford HS 38-26 Royal Hospital School (Schools Plate)
Gravesend GS 3-12 Chislehurst & Sidcup GS (County Cup)
The Leys 30-12 The Perse
Plymouth College 31-7 Wells Cathedral
Taunton 48-7 Ivybridge Community College (Schools Cup)
Wednesday
Birkdale 29-7 Carre’s GS (Schools Bowl)
Caterham 12-41 St John’s, Leatherhead – Twickenham Stoop
Cheadle Hulme 19-20 Lymm HS (County Cup Final)
Christ College 24-21 Bro Dinefwr
Churcher’s College 3-7 Peter Symonds’ College (County Cup)
Claires Court 19-14 Reading
Colfe’s 26-45 Judd
Dr Challoner’s GS 28-14 Sir William Borlase’s GS
Duke of York’s RMS 19-10 Chatham & Clarendon
Durham 52-0 Ripon GS
Eastbourne College 22-11 Reigate GS (Schools Vase)
Edinburgh Academy 34-5 Fettes College (Scottish Schools Cup QF)
Emanuel 16-18 Gordon’s – Twickenham Stoop
Forest 21-17 Halliford
Hayes 5-21 Langley Park (County Cup SF)
Glyn 25-5 Tring (Schools Vase)
Grammar School at Leeds 61-0 Hymers College (Schools Plate)
KES Five Ways 40-0 KES Aston
Kings of Wessex 29-19 Sidcot
Liverpool College 26-36 Rossall
Manchester GS 57-17 Rishworth
Mill Hill 12-22 KCS Wimbledon (Schools Cup)
Ratcliffe College 13-17 Royal Latin (Schools Bowl)
Shrewsbury 19-7 Rydal Penrhos
Sir Thomas Rich’s 10-44 Sherborne (Schools Cup)
Wellington 52-10 Malmesbury (Schools Vase)
Wetherby 14-22 Latymer Upper
Worksop College 0-50 Bloxham (Schools Plate)
Thursday
Berkhamsted 50-5 Stowe – Aylesbury RFC
Marlborough College 40-38 Beechen Cliff Non-AASE XV
Milton Abbey 10-7 Clayesmore
Oakwood Park GS 7-36 St Lawrence College
Images via Sophie Jones
