The U18 Schools Vase and Bowl quarter finals are set to take place this week, though a couple of games are still to have their exact date and time confirmed.
Those reaching the finals of the Vase in March will find themselves at Twickenham for that final, while the Bowl final will take place the day before at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium. Prior to that though there is some seriously competitive rugby to be played, starting with these quarter finals.
Vase Quarter Finals
Leicester Grammar v Langley – Tuesday, 2pm
Quarter finals week kicks off across all four competitions, including the Cup and Vase, with Tuesday’s all-Midlands clash between Leicester Grammar and Langley. Langley are the 2018 Vase champions and are looking good again this year after last year’s promotion to the Cup. Leicester Grammar are looking good too though, particularly in coming through an incredibly tight game at Loughborough Grammar in the third round. It should be a cracking game.
Prediction: Langley
Newcastle School for Boys v King’s Grantham – Wednesday, 1.30pm
These two sides have each had some seriously impressive results this year, not least King’s Grantham getting past the fifty point marks on a couple of occasions in this competition. Newcastle School for Boys came through North A well too though, and have also already claimed silverware already this season having secured the Tom Burrows Cup at Silcoates a few weeks ago. It should all set up from a cracking game on Wednesday.
Prediction: Newcastle School for Boys
Eastbourne College v Sutton Valence – Wednesday, 2.30pm
Eastbourne College are widely regarded as one of the favourites for this competition after an impressive run through the Vase that has seen them come through relatively smoothly up until a game against Reigate Grammar where they successfully proved their ability in a tight game. In Sutton Valence they face an opponent of real quality though, one that could go all the way. Sutton Valence breezed through London & South East B and it should come as no surprise, they are unbeaten to date this season and looking brilliant.
Prediction: Eastbourne College
Wellington School v Exeter School – TBA
The last of these Vase quarter finals is yet to have its date confirmed a South West A champions Wellington School host South West B champions Exeter School. Both are in good form though, not least Exeter, who beat Cup legends Colston’s 66-0 on Saturday. Wellington have also beaten a former Schools Cup champion recently, St Peter’s Gloucester, whom Wellington beat to reach this quarter final. Exeter’s regional final, meanwhile, was incredibly tight. They drew 17-17 with St Edward’s Oxford to reach this game by the tightest of margins on the away side rule.
Prediction: Exeter School
Bowl Quarter Finals
St Edward’s College v Sandringham – Wednesday, 2.30pm
The North B champions, St Edward’s, host Sandringham from Midlands B in this quarter final. Both have come through some tough games, not least Sandringham, who beat Saffron Walden 15-13 to reach this quarter final.
Prediction: Sandringham
Ampleforth College v Royal Latin – Wednesday, 2pm
Ampleforth College are one of the great names in all of schools rugby, and in winning their North A section they lived up to that reputation with some dominant performances. They host a Royal Latin side that won the Vase back in 2017, in coming through this Midlands A section they did things by the tightest of margins, drawing 0-0 with Hereford 6th form College and progressing as the away side, a remarkable result.
Prediction: Ampleforth College
Worthing College v Marling – TBA
This game between the London & South East A champions and the South West A champions is yet to have a date and time confirmed. When it is though, it should be a good game. Worthing in particular have had some good results, not least a tight victory over Wallingford County Grammar in the last round of this competition.
Prediction: Worthing College
Maidstone Grammar v Windsor Boys/KES Southampton – TBA
There is still some way to go with this one, with Windsor Boys and KES Southampton still to play their South West B final. The winner will face the London & South East B champions, Maidstone Grammar, who have had a full schedule in this Bowl competition unusually, winning all four of their games.
Prediction: NA
U18 Schools Vase QF Draw:
Leicester GS (Midlands A) v Langley (Midlands B) – Tuesday, 2pm
Newcastle School for Boys (North A) v King’s Grantham (North B) – Wedn
esday, 1.30pm
Eastbourne College (London & South East A) v Sutton Valence (London & South East B) – Wednesday, 2.15pm
Wellington (South West A) v Exeter (South West B) – TBA
U18 Schools Bowl QF Draw:
St Edward’s College (North B) v Sandringham (Midlands B) – Wednesday, 2.30pm
Ampleforth College (North A) v Royal Latin (Midlands A) – Wednesday, 2pm
Worthing College (London & South East A) v Marling (South West A) – TBA
Maidstone GS (London & South East B) v Windsor Boys/KES Southampton (South West B) – TBA
