After Schools Rugby was put on hold across much of the north of the country due to the weather this weekend, a big midweek of schools rugby is expected this week.
There are some massive games, not least in the Schools Cup, Plate, Vase, and Bowl where a number of Regional Finals are being tidied up following today’s Quarter Final Draws, but right across the country, including a particularly poignant memorial match on Tuesday.
Tuesday 30th November
Eton College and Stowe will go head to head on Tuesday in a game that is about so much more than rugby. It is being played in the memory of Edward Bush, a Stowe pupil that was due to join Eton College from sixth form, joining his two brothers. He was sadly killed in a collision with a car earlier this year. Ed was a member of the Stowe U15 Schools Cup side in 2019 and in his memory the game will be raising funds for Mental Health and the Military, two causes close to Ed’s heart. You can donate on the Just Giving page here: Edward Bush Fund https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/memorial-for-ed?utm_term=NmXGK36bq
In less trying circumstances there is plenty of other rugby happening this week, including a huge U18 Schools Cup tie as Harrow host Hampton in the London & South East A Regional Final. After today’s quarter final draw, the stakes are known to both sides, the winner will be travelling away to either Sherborne or Canford, who meet on Saturday. Harrow have been utterly sensational all year, but Hampton are a top side too, it could be spectacular.
There is also Schools Plate action as Norwich welcome Campion in the Midlands B Regional Final, the winner of that one will be travelling North to Stockport Grammar School for their quarter final.
There is a massive game in Wales, too, as Monmouth host Millfield in a crucial game. Monmouth have been absolutely brilliant this year and will be determined to upset Millfield’s unbeaten season. Millfield have been sensational a put on an outstanding display on our live stream on Saturday, which you can see below, to beat Clifton College. With changes likely to be made to the Millfield lineup after such a tight turnaround, they are going to have to be absolutely on the money to keep things up away at Monmouth.
Elsewhere, there is a big derby in Bishop’s Stortford as Bishop’s Stortford High host Bishop’s Stortford College, while King’s Ely are hosting Finborough, and RGS Colchester head to Woodbridge.
Wednesday 1st December
Advent begins with some big knockout ties on Wednesday, in the Schools Plate Wimbledon College and Caterham go head to head in the London & South East B Regional Final. The winner of that will be facing Henley College away in the quarter finals, a tricky task.
Over in the Schools Vase Truro and Bristol Grammar go head to head in the South West A regional final, the reward for the winner is a trip to the winners of Wednesday’s other Schools Vase regional final, Skinners’ v Sutton Valence in London & South East B, which could be an absolute cracker – both have been tearing up trees.
Over in the Schools Bowl, meanwhile, Lord Wandsworth College travel to Cokethorpe in the South West B regional final, the winner there will host Glyn in the quarter finals.
There is also a massive Cheshire Cup final on Wednesday as Cheadle Hulme and Wirral Grammar go head to head in what could be an absolutely brilliant game of rugby.
Elsewhere there is plenty of other exciting rugby on offer, hopefully the north of England is able to see a return to play after the weekend, with massive games such as Bradford Grammar v Crossley Heath and Austin Friars v King’s Priory on the fixture card.
Elsewhere in the north of the country Manchester Grammar welcome Rishworth and Stockport Grammar, ahead of that Plate Quarter Final, host Bury Grammar, while Ellesmere College jump across to Wales to face Rydal Penrhos. Meanwhile Ripon Grammar are set to host Durham and Hymers College head down to Worksop College, Nottinham High host King’s Gratham in what ought to be a strong game.
One of the biggest games of the week is going to be Warwick v Bloxham, two sides that have played some fantastic rugby this year, and who should produce a spectacular occasion on Wednesday. Warwick’s 2nd XV have a big game too, heading to Princethorpe College. That is one of a number of big 1st XV v 2nd XV games, including Devonport High hosting Exeter’s 2nd XV, Hartpury College’s 2nd XV heading to The Crypt, and Whitgift’s 2nd XV hosting Hayes, who recently announced a partnership with Ealing Trailfinders.
Elsewhere, Halliford are in action in the Middlesex Cup at Grasshoppers RFC against Cardinal Vaugham, while Simon Langton head to Beth’s Grammar and Langley Park welcome St Olave’s Grammar. Fulham Boys meanwhile welcome Saint Cecilia’s, and Windsor Boys’ are in action at St Bartholomew’s.
Dr Challoner’s Grammar are in action at home to Sir William Borlase’s Grammar, while Ewell Castle host Claremont and Dunottar head to The Cedars. Haberdashers’ meanwhile are at St Columba’s College, while Roundwood Park head to Dame Alice Owens.
Further West, KES Five Ways host Bishop Vesey’s Gammar, with Alcester Grammar away at KES Birmingham, while over in Wales Christ College have a big game over at Treorchy Comprehensive.
Thursday 2nd December
St Lawrence College v Oakwood Park Grammar looks like the big one on a fairly quiet first Thursday in December, though Queen’s College Taunton will be keen on bouncing back from the weekend against Stover. Meanwhile there are another couple of 1st XV v 2nd XV games as Bristol Cathedral host QEH 2nd XV and Downside welcome the non-ACE players from Beechen Cliff.
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!
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Tuesday 30th November
Bishop’s Stortford High v Bishop’s Stortford College
Eton College v Stowe
Harrow v Hampton (Schools Cup) – London & South East A Regional Final
King’s Ely v Finborough
Monmouth v Millfield
Norwich v Campion (Schools Plate) – Midlands B Regional Final
Woodbridge v RGS Colchester
Wednesday 1st December
Austin Friars v King’s Priory
Beth’s Grammar v Simon Langton Grammar
Bradford Grammar v Crossley Heath
Cedars v Dunottar
Cheadle Hulme v Wirral Grammar (County Cup Final)
Cokethorpe v Lord Wandsworth College (Schools Bowl) – South West B Regional Final
Dame Alice Owens v Roundwood Park
Devonport High v Exeter 2nd XV
Dr Challoner’s Grammar v Sir William Borlase’s Grammar
Ewell Castle v Claremont
Halliford v Cardinal Vaughan
KES Birmingham v Alcester Grammar
KES Five Ways v Bishop Vesey’s Grammar
Langley Park v St Olave’s Grammar
Manchester Grammar v Rishworth
Nottingham High v King’s Grantham
Princethorpe College v Warwick 2nd XV
Ripon Grammar v Durham
Rydal Penrhos v Ellesmere College
Saint Cecilia’s v Fulham Boys
Skinners’ v Sutton Valence (Schools Vase) – London & South East B Regional Final
St Bartholomew’s v Windsor Boys’
St Columba’s College v Haberdashers’
Stockport Grammar v Bury Grammar
The Crypt v Hartpury College 2nd XV
Treorchy Comprehensive v Christ College
Truro v Bristol Grammar (Schools Vase) – South West A Regional Final
Warwick v Bloxham
Whitgift 2nd XV v Hayes
Wimbledon College v Caterham (Schools Plate) – London & South East B Regional Final
Worksop College v Hymers College
Thursday 2nd December
Bristol Cathedral v QEH 2nd XV
Downside v Beechen Cliff 2nd XV
St Lawrence College v Oakwood Park Grammar
Queen’s College, Taunton v Stover
