The final league round of the 2021 ACE League takes place on Wednesday as the scramble for a place in the final comes to a head.
The winners of each of the Division 1 pools will meet in the final on Wednesday 8th December, with the venue yet to be confirmed. Each of the teams below the winners will also face their equivalent from the other division in placings finals, so too in the Division 2 leagues.
Division 1 Pool A
The key game in Pool A is City of Oxford College v Truro College in simple terms two matchday points for Truro College will see them into the final, five will see City of Oxford College there. Anything less for either and we start getting into points differences and SGS Filton College then come into the equation should they win at Brooksby Melton College.
Truro are in the driving seat, four points clear of City of Oxford College, who themselves are one ahead of Filton. However with City of Oxford being at home, they will feel confident – though in their only game against a southern conference side, Filton last week, they lost for the first time since early September.
City of Oxford have the greater points difference too, eight ahead of Truro, which would be significant if they win without a bonus point and keep Truro from getting any either. That would leave both on 9 and City of Oxford going through on points difference, unless Filton College score a hatful at Brooksby Melton.
The simplest solution of all though is if Truro College win, if they do that they are in the final, no permutations, no maths.
Division 1 Pool B
Pool B is really tight, the head to head between Hartpury College and Gosforth Academy is the key game there, the winner of that is going through unless Bishop Wand absolutely rain in the tries against Bishop Burton College, and even then that would only be enough if it is Gosforth that beat Hartpury. If Hartpury win, they are through.
Gosforth need to beat Hartpury with a bonus point in order not to think about anything else, win without one and then it will come down to points difference with Bishop Wand, assuming that Bishop Wand beat Bishop Burton College with a bonus point – and though Bishop Burton have struggled in this division, there is no guarantee of that as the Yorkshire side will want to make their mark in this group.
Hartpury are yet to lose, but they had a scare from Bishop Wand in the opening round of this second stage. Gosforth will be hoping to go one step further and to keep the perennial champions away from yet another final.
Division 2
In the North Pool Stourport High School have a bye but have sealed top spot already, Oaklands College and Myerscough College now battle it out for second and third. Over in the South Pool Exeter College have the bye and the group is wide open. Exeter lost to Beechen Cliff and won against Gordon’s, so a win for Beechen Cliff against Gordon’s would see the group finish 1) Beechen Cliff, 2) Exeter College, 3) Gordon’s, however a win for Gordon’s and all three would have a win and a loss and it would come down to bonus points and points difference.
If you have any photos, video, reports, or any other content from the week’s school 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!
Don’t forget our Talent Hub is now live! Whether you are looking for talent or are a talent looking to be noticed sign up by clicking here.
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 20-12 City of Oxford College
Truro College 38-36 Brooksby Melton College
Wednesday 24th November
Brooksby Melton College v SGS Filton College
City of Oxford College v Truro College
| Pos | Team | W | D | L | BPs | Points |
| 1 | Truro College | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | City of Oxford College | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | SGS Filton College | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Brooksby Melton College | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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 0-64 Hartpury College
Gosforth Academy 26-31 Bishop Wand
Wednesday 24th November
Hartpury College v Gosforth Academy
Bishop Wand v Bishop Burton College
| Pos | Team | W | D | L | BPs | Points |
| 1 | Hartpury College | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | Gosforth Academy | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | Bishop Wand | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 4 | Bishop Burton College | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Division 2 North Pool
Wednesday 10th November
Oaklands College 7-12 Stourport High School
Wednesday 17th November
Stourport High School 36-14 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 24-7 Gordon’s
Wednesday 24th November
Gordon’s v Beechen Cliff
