After such a sensational weekend of school rugby, the excitement is palpable ahead of a busy week of midweek that will be dominated by the second round of the U18 Schools Cup.
There are games across the Cup, Plate, Vase, and Bowl, as well as a number of games outside of the knockout competitions as we build through big week that culminates in the St Joseph’s and Merchiston Castle Festivals.
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U18 Schools Cup Round 2
North A
Lancaster RGS v Kirkham Grammar – Wednesday
Liverpool College v Manchester Grammar – Wednesday
Altrincham v St Mary’s College TBC
Cheadle Hulme – Bye
Kirkham Grammar have a big week, they will be major challengers at St Joseph’s, but first they have a tricky trip to Lancaster RGS on Wednesday in the second round of the Cup. The winner will host either Liverpool College or Manchester Grammar in the regional semi finals, those two meet on Wednesday as well. Altrincham Grammar and St Mary’s College are yet to announce their game but the winner will face Cheadle Hulme in the regional semi.
North B
RGS Newcastle v Barnard Castle – Wednesday
St Peter’s York – Bye
Woodhouse Grove v QEGS Wakefield – Tuesday
Bye
North B is a tale of Cup legends, and two of the biggest go head to head on Wednesday for the chance to play St Peter’s York in the regional semi final, RGS Newcastle and Barnard Castle. It should be a fantastic game, too, the two sides look well matched. On the other side of the draw two other giants go head to head. On Tuesday Woodhouse Grove will host Cup legends QEGS Wakefield, an the winner will have a bye straight to the regional final.
Midlands A
Warwick v Solihull – Wednesday
Rugby – Bye
Oakham v Northampton School for Boys – Wednesday
Bye
Midlands A features the 2017 and 2018 champions, Warwick. They host Solihull on Wednesday and the winners will meet Rugby School, surely among the favourites now after their opening round win over Stowe on Saturday, in the regional semi. Also on Wednesday is a game between two sides with big reputations, former champions Oakham hosting former finalists Northampton School for Boys, and the winner will be heading right to the regional final.
Midlands B
Bedford v Samuel Whitbread Academy – Wednesday
Royal Hospital School – Bye
Felsted v Haileybury – Tuesday
Bye
Midlands B sees the action kick off on Tuesday as Felsted host Haileybury. The two have already met this season, with Haileybury winning that one, but it could go either way and the reward is a trip straight to the regional final. Meanwhile on Wednesday former Champions Trophy winners Bedford host former Vase winners Samuel Whitbread Academy, with the winners facing Royal Hospital School in the regional semis.
London & South East A
Watford Grammar v Harrow – Wednesday
Winner of St Benedict’s v Latymer Upper in Round 1 has a Bye
St Paul’s v Hampton – Wednesday
Dulwich College – Bye
Harrow must be among the favourites this year, and on Wednesday they head to Watford Grammar, who will be determined to upset the odds. The winner will face the winner of the as yet unplayed opening round game between St Benedict’s and Latymer Upper. On the other side of the draw there is a really strong looking game as St Paul’s host Hampton, the winners of that face 2012, 2013, and 2014 champions, Dulwich College.
London & South East B
Trinity v Cardinal Newman – Wednesday
Epsom College – Bye
St John’s, Leatherhead v The Judd – Wednesday
Whitgift – Bye
London & South East B has some interesting fixtures on Wednesday. Impressive Trinity host the rapidly improving Cardinal Newman, who beat John Fisher in the last round, for the chance to host Epsom College in the regional semis. Meanwhile St John’s Leatherhead welcome The Juddas they seek to host Whitgift in the next round, the closest thing there is to a reigning champion after winning in 2019 and reaching the 2020 final before it was called off.
South West A
Ivybridge Community College v Blundells – Tuesday
Sherborne v King’s College, Taunton – Wednesday
Canford v Sir Thomas Rich’s – TBC
Bye
South West A kicks off on Tuesday with Blundell’s trip to Ivybridge Community College, who always seem to go far in this competition. The winner will face the winner of Sherborne v King’s College Taunton, who meet on Wednesday in what could be an epic clash. The other side of the draw will eventually see Canford and Sir Thomas Rich’s go head to head but a date has yet to be confirmed. There is plenty of time though, the winner has a by to the regional final.
South West B
RGS Worcester v Monmouth – Wednesday
Bloxham v Bromsgrove – TBC
Radley College v Berkhamsted – Wednesday
Seaford College – Bye
Finally to South West B where RGS Worcester and Monmouth go head to head in a massive clash – both have been sensational so far this season. The winner will face either Bloxham or 2014 and 2016 champions Bromsgrove, but their fixture is yet to have a date confirmed. The other side of the draw sees two of the most impressive sides so far this season going head to head as Berkhamsted travel to Radley College on Wednesday for the chance to host Seaford College in the regional semi final.
U18 Schools Plate Round 1
Stockport Grammar v King’s Macclesfield – North A, winner hosts Merchant Taylors’ – Wednesday
Emanuel v KCS Wimbledon – London & South East A, winner hosts Langley Park – Wednesday
Abingdon v King’s Worcester – South West B, winner travels to Malvern College – Wednesday
The Plate gets underway this week, but without too many confirmed fixtures. North A sees Stockport Grammar and King’s Macclesfield go head to head, with Merchant Taylors’ Crosby the reward for the winner.
Over in London & South East A Emanuel host KCS Wimbledon, who are surely one of the absolute favourites for this Plate competition. The winner of that tie will host Langley Park in the regional semi. Over in South West B there is a high level clash between Abingdon and King’s Worcester, either of whom could go far. The winner will travel to Malvern College in the regional semis.
U18 Schools Vase Round 3
Giggleswick v Ermysted’s Grammar – North A, Wednesday
Wirral Grammar v AKS Lytham – North A, Wednesday
Dame Allan’s v KES Morpeth – North B, Wednesday
Ampleforth College v Harrogate Grammar – North B, Wednesday
Trent College v Loughborough Grammar – North B, Thursday
Wymondham College v The Perse – Midlands A, Wednesday
Framlingham College v Ipswich – Midlands B, Thursday
St Columba’s College v Hemel Hempstead – Midlands B, Thursday
Farnborough 6th form College v City of London Freemen’s – London & South East A, Wednesday
London Oratory v Isleworth & Syon – London & South East A, Wednesday (Round 2)
Skinners’ v Ravens Wood – London & South East B, Wednesday
Brentwood v Eltham College – London & South East B, Wednesday
Dartford Grammar v Sutton Valence – London & South East B, Wednesday
Truro v Wellington School – South West A, Wednesday
Cotswold v The Crypt – South West A, Wednesday
Windsor Boys’ v Reading Blue Coat – South West B, Wednesday
Churcher’s College v KES Southampton – South West B, Wednesday
Bryanston v Clayesmore – South West B, Thursday
Dauntsey’s v Monkton Combe – South West B, Tuesday
Over in the Vase there is plenty of action too. North A sees in form Wirral Grammar host AKS Lytham, and Giggleswick host Ermysted’s Grammar. Meanwhile in North B there are also two fixtures, Trent College v Loughborough Grammar and an epic looking clash between Ampleforth College and Harrogate Grammar that could be one of the top ties of the round.
In Midlands A, The Perse travel to in form Wymondham College on Wednesday, while over in Midlands B it’s all Thursday action – St Columba’s College host Hemel Hempstead and Framlingham College host an Ipswich side that are surely one of the favourites.
London & South East is busy, the A section sees London Oratory and Isleworth & Syon complete their second round fixture, while in the third round (the round everyone else is playing), City of London Freemen’s travel to Farnborough 6th form College. The B section sees Skinners’, who are bang in form in a big way, hosting Ravens Wood on Wednesday, while Eltham College travel to Brentwood and Dartford Grammar welcome Sutton Valence, who could go far.
South West A sees two games on Wednesday as Truro welcome Wellington School, and The Crypt travel to Cotswold School. Over in South West B, Reading Blue Coat travel to Windsor Boys’, with Bryanston host Clayesmore. Meanwhile keep an eye out for Chrurcher’s College v KES Southampton. South West B all kicks off on Tuesday though, with Dauntsey’s hosting Monkton Combe in a round 2 fixture.
U18 Schools Bowl Round 2
Langley v Hills Road – Midlands A, Wednesday
St George’s College, Weybridge v Glyn – London & South East A, Tuesday
Harris City Academy v Richard Collyer – London & South East A, Wednesday
Eastbourne College v Hayes – London & South East B, Wednesday
Wilmington Grammar v Gravesend Grammar – London & South East B, Wednesday
Plymouth College v West Buckland – South West A, Wednesday
John Hampden Grammar v St James – South West B, Wednesday
The Bowl also sees some action this week, although it is slightly limited. Midlands A sees Langley, former Vase winners, host Hills Road from Cambridge.
Over in London & South East A, Glyn travel to St George’s College Weybridge for what should be a good game, while Harris City Academy host Richard Collyer. Over in the B section Eastbourne College v Hayes could be a cracker, as could Wilmington Grammar v Gravesend Grammar, both on Wednesday.
In the South West, Plymouth College host West Buckland in the A section, while in the B section it is John Hampden Grammar v St James’.
Other School Fixtures:
Outside of the knockout games there are some cracking games, with Wednesday looking particularly busy.
Tuesday 12th October
Sidcot v Bristol Cathedral
Just the one game on Tuesday as Bristol Cathedral make the short trip to Sidcot for what should be a competitive game.
Wednesday 13th October
Bedford Modern v Norwich
Beth’s Grammar v Oakwood Park Grammar
Bury Grammar v Holy Cross College
Dr Challoner’s GS v Aylesbury GS
Fulham Boys v Latymer Upper
Halliford v Reading
King’s Gloucester v Cokethorpe
Leighton Park v Ranelagh
Newcastle-Under-Lyme v KES Birmingham
Old Brentwood RGS Festival: New Hall, Cooper’s Coborn, Southend High
Portsmouth Grammar v Embley
Princethorpe College v KES Five Ways
Reigate Grammar v KCS Wimbledon 2nd XV
Richard Hale v Hitchin Boys
Shrewsbury v KES Aston
St Edmund’s College, Ware v Bancroft’s
Wallington County Grammar v Worthing College
Wetherby v Mill Hill
Wilson’s v Tiffin
Worksop College v Thomas Rotherham
Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr v Christ College, Brecon
On Wednesday, Norwich’s trip to Bedford Modern should be a fantastic game of rugby. In Hertfordshire there is action as Hitchin travel to Richard Hale and St Edmund’s host Bancroft’s. Meanwhile Mill Hill travel to Wetherby.
Elsewhere there is a Festival at Old Brentwood’s, featuring the likes of New Hall, Cooper’s Coborn, and Southend High. Meanwhile Tiffin head to Wilson’s, and Reigate Grammar welcome KCS Wimbledon’s 2ndXV and Halliford, so impressive at times this year, welcome Reading, with Fulham Boys hosting Latymer Upper and Beth’s Grammar welcome Oakwood Park.
Wallington County Grammar have a big game at home against Worthing College, and look out too for Porstmouth Grammar at home to Embley. Elsewhere Leighton Park are at home to Ranelagh.
Further West, Dr Challoner’s Grammar host Aylesbury Grammar in what ought to be a good game, as should KES Aston’s trip to Shrewsbury. Elsewhere in the West, King’s Gloucester host Cokethorpe while KES Birmingham are in action at Newcastle-Under-Lyme.
Further North, Worksop College look to bounce back after a tricky weekend, they host Thomas Rotherham, while Bury Grammar welcome Holy Cross College and Princethorpe College host KES Five Ways. Over in Wales, Christ College are back in Welsh Colleges League action, they head to Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr.
Thursday 14th October
Christ’s Hospital v Glyn
Eton College v Finborough
Northampton School for Boys v Rugby
Queen’s College, Taunton v Wellington School 2nd XV
Ratcliffe College v Birkdale
St Lawrence College v King’s Rochester
Woodbridge v RGS Colchester
Thursday rounds off the midweek’s action in spectacular fashion, with Northampton School for Boys v Rugby the headline act (though with NSB also scheduled for action earlier in the week, this could fall). If it does go ahead it should be a cracker.
Finborough face an historic trip for them to Eton College, a fixture that can surely not have occurred too often – if ever. Glyn have a big game on Thursday as they travel to Christ’s Hispital, while St Lawrence College host Ling’s Rochester and RGS Colchester head to Woodbridge.
Elsewhere, Ratcliffe College welcome Birkdale, and Queen’s College Taunton host Wellington School’s 2nd XV.
