Round 4 was always likely to be a big one in the 2021 ACE League, the mid-point in this first league stage and a chance for sides to start to solidify themselves in those all-important top four positions.

What was not expected though were some of the results that started to come in as the day went on, with the pecking order in both conferences shifting.

Northern Conference

The result of the day was perhaps Oaklands College’s extraordinary 26-10 victory at Bishop Burton College. Oaklands College arrived without a victory to their name, while Bishop Burton were unbeaten and on fire as they looked to usurp Gosforth Academy, who had a bye, at the top of the table. As it was, Oaklands were outstanding and jumped up to fifth in the table, while for Bishop Burton the defeat allowed victorious rivals to close the gap, their game at Gosforth next week now takes on another level of importance.

Into third are Brooksby Melton College, who enjoyed one of the top performances of the season so far in their stunning 59-0 defeat of Myerscough College. It’s another tough blow for Myerscough, who are yet to register a victory, but for Brooksby it was a brilliant performance and result and takes them to within three points of top spot.

Also with three points of the top are City of Oxford College who played a thrilling game against Stourport High School, ending 36-26 in City of Oxford’s favour. Oddly, with Brooksby’s big win they actually slipped down a place in the table, but climb in relation to other rivals points wise. If they can keep this form up, the top four beckons.

Southern Conference

The big news in the southern conference was a first ever ACE League victory for Gordon’s as they defeated 2019, and therefore reigning, champions Exeter College. It was a pretty tight game, ending 20-10, and Exeter will be disappointed with the result, but for Gordon’s it was a huge moment and lifts them off the foot of the table.

After a week off, Hartpury College returned and extended their unbeaten run with a 31-15 defeat of Bishop Wand to usurp them at the top of the table. It was not a bad result for Bishop Wand though, who gave Hartpury one of their more challenging games and remain well and truly in a top 4 position, just three points off the top. For Hartpury, it was another good victory as they look to win back the ACE title that they have so often been the holders of.

One side that have been defeated by Hartpury and then bounced back with aplomb are Truro College. Defeated in their opener they have now won back to back games at home to rise to second in the table after beating Beechen Cliff 46-28 on Wednesday, leaving Beechen Cliff adrift at the bottom of the table after Gordon’s victory.

Coming Up

Next week sees a top of the table clash in the North between Gosforth and Bishop Burton, while in the South Beechen Cliff will be aiming to get off the mark when Gordon’s travel to town. Myerscough College and Bishop Wand sit out round 5.

If you have any photos, video, reports, or any other content from the week’s ACE rugby then please do send it in via our social media channels or admin@nextgenxv.com and if you are interested in us live streaming one of your games or an event then please do get in touch!

Round 4 Results (29^th Sept):

North

Bishop Burton College 10-26 Oaklands College

Brooksby Melton College 59-0 Myerscough College

City of Oxford College 36-26 Stourport High

Gosforth Academy v Bye

South

Gordon’s 20-10 Exeter College

Hartpury College 31-15 Bishop Wand

Truro College 46-28 Beechen Cliff

SGS Filton College v Bye

ACE League Standings:

North:

ACE League Round 3 Results:

North

Myerscough College 7-38 City of Oxford College

Oaklands College 17-31 Gosforth Academy

Stourport High 10-17 Bishop Burton College

Brooksby Melton College v Bye

South

Beechen Cliff 28-29 SGS Filton College

Exeter College 31-35 Truro College

Bishop Wand 33-5 Gordon’s

Hartpury College v Bye

Round 2 Results:

North

Bishop Burton College 31-17 Myerscough College

City of Oxford College 26-29 Brooksby Melton College

Gosforth Academy 22-8 Stourport High

Oaklands College v Bye

South

Gordon’s 0-38 Hartpury College

SGS Filton College 15-24 Exeter College

Truro College 22-21 Bishop Wand

Beechen Cliff v Bye

Round 1 Results:

North

Brooksby Melton College 29-33 Bishop Burton College

Myerscough College 19-22 Gosforth Academy

Stourport High 33-29 Oaklands College

City of Oxford College v Bye

South

Exeter College 24-7 Beechen Cliff

Hartpury College 54-12 Truro College

Bishop Wand 26-17 SGS Filton College

Gordon’s v Bye

Further ACE League Fixtures:

Round 5 (6^th Oct)

North

Gosforth Academy v Bishop Burton College

Oaklands College v City of Oxford College

Stourport High v Brooksby Melton College

Myerscough College v Bye

South

Beechen Cliff v Gordon’s

Exeter College v Hartpury College

SGS Filton College v Truro College

Bishop Wand v Bye

Round 6 (13^th Oct)

North

Brooksby Melton College v Oaklands College

City of Oxford College v Gosforth Academy

Myerscough College v Stourport High

Bishop Burton College v Bye

South

Gordon’s v SGS Filton College

Hartpury College v Beechen Cliff

Bishop Wand v Exeter College

Truro College v Bye

Round 7 (20^th Oct)

North

Bishop Burton College v City of Oxford College

Gosforth Academy v Brooksby Melton College

Oaklands College v Myerscough College

Stourport High v Bye

South

Beechen Cliff v Bishop Wand

SGS Filton College v Hartpury College

Truro College v Gordon’s

Exeter College v Bye