The AASE Finalists have been confirmed after a set of results in the final round of league action that few could have seen coming.
Beechen Cliff and St Paul’s Catholic College will be the finalists, meaning that no matter what, we will have a first time AASE champions. The only sides ever to have won it are Exeter College in 2016 and Hartpury College, who have won every single other edition of the tournament.
On Wednesday though St Paul’s ended Hartpury College’s hopes of winning three titles in a row as they stunning observers with a dogged performance at home against the champions, winning 30-17 to top Division 1 Pool B and earn their place in the final. It was a winner takes all game, yet few outside of St Paul’s would have been expecting anything other than a Hartpury win after they have scored over 120 points in their previous two games.
St Paul’s thought otherwise though, and now sit just a victory away from a maiden title. Having had such a wonderful result and performance on Wednesday, they will surely arrive at Allianz Park on Wednesday 4th December absolutely bursting with confidence.
So too should Beechen Cliff though, who have the same opportunity a chance of a maiden AASE title. It is also a chance for them to avenge what was a tough day in last year’s final against Hartpury College. Going back for a second time in a row demonstrates their quality, and they will be incredibly determined to go one better this year.
On Wednesday they beat Exeter College 35-14 to seal their place at the top of Division 1 Pool A and therefore their place in the final. Beechen Cliff and St Paul’s met earlier in the season in Phase 1 of the League, St Paul’s winning 19-13, which should set up for a close and tense final with plenty of intrigue.
It will be a history making final, a brand new name on the AASE trophy, only the third winner in AASE history, just the second time Hartpury College have not been in the final. It should be a magnificent occasion at Allianz Park.
Around the League
Elsewhere in Pool A Brooksby Melton College found some form in the last round with a superb 40-19 victory over Gosforth Academy, leaving them in second place in the table, with Exeter College third, and Gosforth in fourth.
Over in Pool B St Paul’s win over Hartpury left the champions in second, while Myerscough College put in a top display for a 30-21 victory away at Oaklands College to leave them in third place ahead of their defeated opponent.
Division 2 saw Bishop Burton College finish clear at the top in the North Pool, winning 19-13 at Stourport High School, who finish third with Moulton College in second.
Over in the South Pool SGS Filton College were already guaranteed top spot despite having a bye week. Meanwhile Truro College beat City of Oxford College 38-17 to finish in second place.
Please do get in touch with your stories, photos, videos, reports, and opinions from the week’s rugby! It all makes a massive difference and allows us to feature your school and your team! You can get in touch via any of the below methods:
Twitter: @FifteenRugbyXV
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FifteenRugby
Instagram: @fifteenrugbyxv
Email: writers@fifteenrugby.com
AASE League Phase 2 Round 3 Results:
Division 1 Pool A
Beechen Cliff 35-14 Exeter College
Brooksby Melton College 40-19 Gosforth Academy
Division 1 Pool B
Oaklands College 21-30 Myerscough College
St Paul’s Catholic College 30-17 Hartpury College
Division 2 North
Stourport HS 13-19 Bishop Burton College
Division 2 South
Truro College 38-17 City of Oxford College
Tables
| Division 1 Pool A | ||||||
| Pos | Team | W | D | L | BP | Points |
| 1 | Beechen Cliff | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 | Brooksby Melton College | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Exeter College | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 4 | Gosforth Academy | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Division 1 Pool B | ||||||
| Pos | Team | W | D | L | BP | Points |
| 1 | St Paul’s Catholic College | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 | Hartpury College | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | Myerscough College | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Oaklands College | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Division 2 North Pool | ||||||
| Pos | Team | W | D | L | BP | Points |
| 1 | Bishop Burton College | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | Moulton College | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Stourport High School | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Division 2 South Pool | ||||||
| Pos | Team | W | D | L | BP | Points |
| 1 | SGS Filton College | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | Truro College | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | City of Oxford College | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
AASE League Phase 2 Round 2 Results:
Division 1 Pool A
Exeter College 21-19 Brooksby Melton College
Gosforth Academy 12-47 Beechen Cliff
Division 1 Pool B
Hartpury College 67-17 Oaklands College
Myerscough College 5-26 St Paul’s Catholic College
Division 2 North
Moulton College 17-17 Stourport HS
Division 2 South
City of Oxford College 25-32 SGS Filton College
AASE League Phase 2 Round 1 Results:
Division 1 Pool A
Beechen Cliff 33-12 Brooksby Melton College
Gosforth Academy 36-24 Exeter College
Division 1 Pool B
Hartpury College 61-3 Myerscough College
Oaklands College 12-31 St Paul’s Catholic College
Division 2 North
Bishop Burton College 20-14 Moulton College
Division 2 South
SGS Filton College 15-7 Truro College
