Stage 2 of the ACE League got off to a massive start on Wednesday with some dominant performances by some of the sides from the Stage 1 northern conference, while those that had emerged from the south went toe to toe in a couple of classics.
First and third from that original northern conference are now in a group with second and fourth from the original southern conference, while first and third from that southern conference and in a group with second and fourth from that first northern conference, meanwhile those that finished below fourth in the original conferences are also in mini conferences, but they remain split north/south. That gives us Division 1 and Division 2, each with two pools.
Division 1 Pool A
City of Oxford College started this second stage with an absolute bang as they hosted Brooksby Melton College, whom they lost to in their first game of the season. It shows just how far this City of Oxford side have come though as they put on an utterly dominant display for a quite stunning 45-18 victory, they perfect start to this crucial race for a place in the ACE final.
Truro College were also off to a fast start after a strong end to Stage 1, they hosted SGS Filton College, whom they narrowly beat away from home earlier in the year. They repeated the trick at home this time, winning a hard-fought game 24-15, setting themselves up for a real crack at a place in the final.
Division 1 Pool B
When Gosforth Academy beat Bishop Burton College 34-14 before half term it felt like a real statement result, on Wednesday they made an even bigger one though as they stormed to a sensational 54-14 victory. It was truly awesome stuff from the Newcastle Falcons ACE side, who must now feel that they have huge momentum behind them as they head into games against Bishop Wand and then Hartpury College. If they keep going like this, the final is well within reach.
Hartpury College remain the only side across the entire ACE League that are unbeaten but they got given a real scare by Bishop Wand on Wednesday, who ran them closer than anyone else this season. It was 0-0 at the break before Bishop Wand took the lead right at the start of the second half. Hartpury then scored for a 7-5 lead but a Bishop Wand penalty looked to have given them the spoils, 8-7. However Hartpury demonstrated that not only are they great front runners, but they are also great when under the cosh as they patiently battered away at the Bishop Wand line before eventually crashing over to seal a 14-8 victory. For Hartpury it was a good example of winning ugly, for Bishop Wand a heartbreaker, but a sign that they can play a seriously high level.
Division 2 North Pool
Stourport High School won a really tight game at Oaklands College on Wednesday, 12-7, and equally close game as their victory at home against the same opposition right at the start of the season, though far less high-scoring. Myerscough College had a bye week.
Division 2 South Pool
Beechen Cliff turned the tables completely against Exeter College. In the opening week of the season Exeter beat Beechen Cliff 24-7, but on Wednesday that all changed as Beechen Cliff stormed to a 35-3 victory. Gordon’s had a be week.
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ACE League Stage 2 Fixtures/Results
Division 1 Pool A
Wednesday 10th November
City of Oxford College 45-18 Brooksby Melton College
Truro College 24-15 SGS Filton College
Wednesday 17th November
SGS Filton College v City of Oxford College
Truro College v Brooksby Melton College
Wednesday 24th November
Brooksby Melton College v SGS Filton College
City of Oxford College v Truro College
Division 1 Pool B
Wednesday 10th November
Gosforth Academy 54-14 Bishop Burton College
Hartpury College 14-8 Bishop Wand
Wednesday 17th November
Bishop Burton College v Hartpury College
Gosforth Academy v Bishop Wand
Wednesday 24th November
Hartpury College v Gosforth Academy
Bishop Wand v Bishop Burton College
Division 2 North Pool
Wednesday 10th November
Oaklands College 7-12 Stourport High School
Wednesday 17th November
Stourport High School v Myerscough College
Wednesday 24th November
Myerscough College v Oaklands College
Division 2 South Pool
Wednesday 10th November
Beechen Cliff 35-3 Exeter College
Wednesday 17th November
Exeter College v Gordon’s
Wednesday 24th November
Gordon’s v Beechen Cliff
