After a strong set of quarter finals on Wednesday the U18 Schools Plate semi finalists have been confirmed and we are left with four excellent sides.
The quartet includes last year’s champions, Bloxham, whose form since their Cup exit has been outstanding. Alongside them are the 2014 Champions Trophy finalists, Grammar School at Leeds, as well as both of the South West regional champions, Dean Close and Bishop Wordsworth’s, who reached the Schools Cup final in 2017.
U18 Schools Plate Semi Final Draw (w/c 2nd March):
Bloxham (Midlands A) v Grammar School at Leeds (North B)
Dean Close (South West A) v Bishop Wordsworth’s (South West B)
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Quarter Final Roundup
St Mary’s College 12-25 Bloxham
Bloxham’s title defence continued well on Wednesday with a solid performance away to St Mary’s College. Somewhat extraordinarily they are still yet to play at home in this year’s competition, such has been the luck of the draw, but they will be delighted to be on the receiving end of a home semi final. St Mary’s gave a great account of themselves after their oh so tight regional final, but this Bloxham outfit continues to impress as they bid to become the Plate’s first ever two-time champions.
Grammar School at Leeds 27-15 Stowe
Grammar School at Leeds sealed a good 27-15 victory over a Stowe side that was, slightly bizarrely, playing in just their second game of this year’s competition. They gave the Leeds side their toughest game of the competition though, their previous two games had seen them score a total of 104 points without conceding. Despite the greater challenge though, GSAL dug deep and sealed their spot in the semi finals.
Langley Park 0-19 Dean Close
Dean Close have been a force this year, their only defeat all season being that first round Cup exit and it should come as no surprise that they have reached the semi finals of this Plate competition. On Wednesday they were excellent again but Langley Park deserve huge credit for their performance and determination against a side that is to be considered in the top grouping in the country. Dean Close must be thinking that they have every chance of finishing this season off with a trophy in a march.
Bishop Wordsworth’s 15-5 Reed’s
The 2013 Schools Cup finalists had to work hard in a tough game against a determined Reed’s side on Wednesday. Undefeated since half term, the Wiltshere outfit kept that momentum going for the 15-5 victory and must now be looking forward to the semi finals with confidence. Dean Close will be by far and away their toughest challenge of this campaign, but after showing some outstanding defence on Wednesday Bishop Wordsworth’s should feel they have every chance of making the finals.
Quarter Final Results:
St Mary’s (North A) 12-25 Bloxham (Midlands A)
Grammar School at Leeds (North B) 27-15 Stowe (Midlands B)
Langley Park (London & South East B) 0-19 Dean Close (South West A)
Bishop Wordsworth’s (South West B) 15-5 Reed’s (London & South East A)
U18 Schools Plate Regional Results:
North A
Round 1
Stockport GS 34-35 Ermysted’s GS
Giggleswick 14-58 Bradford GS
Silcoates 5-60 Merchant Taylors’
Calday Grange GS 7-57 St Mary’s College
Round 2
Ermysted’s GS 0-47 Bradford GS
Merchant Taylors’ 12-14 St Mary’s College
Round 3
Bradford GS 11-11 St Mary’s College
North B
Round 1
Dame Allan’s v BYE
Hartlepool 6th form College v BYE
Grammar School at Leeds v BYE
Prince Henry’s GS 0-50 Hymers College
Round 2
Dame Allan’s 7-26 Hartlepool 6th form College
Grammar School at Leeds 61-0 Hymers College
Round 4
Hartlepool 6th form College 0-43 Grammar School at Leeds
Midlands A
Round 1
Sir John Dean’s v BYE
Wrekin College w/d King’s Worcester
Worksop College 31-15 Trent College
Bishop Vesey’s GS 11-30 Bloxham
Round 2
Sir John Dean’s 5-29 King’s Worcester
Worksop College 0-50 Bloxham
Round 3
King’s Worcester 8-17 Bloxham
Midlands B
Round 1
Stowe v BYE
Bedford Modern v BYE
Bishop Stortford’s HS v BYE
Royal Hospital School v BYE
Round 2
Stowe w/o Bedford Modern
Bishop’s Stortford HS 38-26 Royal Hospital
Round 3
Stowe 38-31 Bishop’s Stortford HS
London & South East A
Round 1
Watford GS 31-30 St Benedict’s
St George’s College, Weybridge v BYE
Tiffin 52-5 Cobham International
Reed’s 43-15 Christ’s Hospital
Round 2
Watford GS 17-48 St George’s College, Weybridge
Tiffin 5-59 Reed’s
Round 3
St George’s College, Weybridge w/d Reed’s
London & South East B
Round 1
Eltham College 49-12 Colfe’s
St Olave’s GS 14-40 Langley Park
Richard Challoner v BYE
Cardinal Newman v BYE
Round 2
Eltham College 24-46 Langley Park
Richard Challoner w/d Cardinal Newman
Round 3
Langley Park 13-12 Cardinal Newman
South West A
Round 1
Dean Close v BYE
Downside v BYE
Bridgwater & Taunton College 3-62 Richard Huish
BYE v BYE
Round 2
Dean Close w/o Downside
Richard Huish v BYE
Round 3
Dean Close 45-5 Richard Huish
South West B
Round 1
Marlborough College 15-27 Reading Blue Coat
Pangbourne College 48-10 Dr Challoner’s GS
Portsmouth GS v Bye
Bishop Wordsworth’s v BYE
Round 2
Reading Blue Coat 22-0 Pangbourne College
Portsmouth GS 7-40 Bishop Wordsworth’s
Round 3
Reading Blue Coat 19-24 Bishop Wordsworth’s
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