Schools Rugby: Weekend Preview – The Season Finale

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BECOME A PATRON

It feels like only a few short weeks ago, but this weekend marks the final week of the main schools rugby season, the final time that players will pull on their 1st XV shirts, the final time that these groups of youngsters will get to play rugby alongside each other.

It’s an emotional weekend, one that always arrives far quicker than one expects, but this year even more so. After eighteen long months without a game, this was the year that school rugby returned, that the drama, the joy, the emotion of schools rugby was seen in all its glory.

Of course there will be some games after Christmas, and the 7s season will quickly be upon us, but more importantly there is a big weekend of rugby to focus on, with stacks of games on Friday, and a big day on Saturday.

Ten to Watch

We begin, as ever, with out Ten to Watch and this week it was such a challenge to pick out the ten. With this being the final weekend every single game means so much to those involved, but we have tried to pick out games that perhaps have a little extra meaning. Nevertheless, the point remains that this weekend is all about celebrating the season, and enjoying those final moments wearing the historic shirts – most of which are older than the bulk of the unions that run the game.

Dulwich College v Berkhamsted

The game this weekend with the most riding on it, for Berkhamsted can win the Daily Mail Trophy on Saturday as a result of Millfield’s defeat of Sedbergh in midweek, with left Sedbergh and Berkhamsted as the only two contenders. A win of any sort would do it for Berkhamsted, and they have been more than a bit used to that this season – they are unbeaten in all competitions, and they are playing in the U18 Schools Cup quarter finals on Tuesday against Trinity, in front of our live cameras, win that and on Saturday against Dulwich College and not only is it the Daily Mail Trophy title and a Cup semi final, it’s also an unbeaten term. This is an extraordinary side. Dulwich are no pushovers though, they have some fantastic players, especially their number 8 and have caused real trouble to the like of Wellington College and Hampton, as well as winning the Bowl at the St Joseph’s Festival. Berkhamsted may have a lot riding on this, but Dulwich will want to spoil the party and to end their own season on a huge high against one of the very best.

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Kirkham Grammar v Bedford (Schools Cup QF) – Friday

How about this for a Friday game, an U18 Schools Cup quarter final, and it promises to be an absolute cracker. Kirkham Grammar School are formidable, arguably one of the top three or four in the country. They are unbeaten in the regular season and have sailed through this Cup competition, and at the St Joseph’s Festival they won the Plate, having been the talk of the tournament on Day 1. They will be so keen to earn some silverware for their efforts this year, and Friday is a big chance for a step towards that, but in Bedford they face a side that has had some wonderful moments this season, and for whom this represents a brilliant opportunity. After their thrilling Last 16 win over Felsted, followed by an equally thrilling defeat of Abingdon last week, they must be feeling confident and will be loving the prospect of taking on Kirkham.

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Llandovery College v Sedbergh

Another mammoth games for two sides looking to finish things off in style after big midweek games that just didn’t quite go their way. Llandovery, one of the most famous names in Welsh Schools Rugby against Sedbergh, one of the most famous in England. It does not get much bigger. Llandovery were at the Principality Stadium on Wednesday, facing CAVS Cardiff in the Welsh Schools and Colleges Cup final, while Sedbergh faced Millfield in a game that could have seen them claim the Daily Mail Trophy title. Both just missed out on victory, but that each was in such a position shows the level of quality that they each bring and anyone that saw Sedbergh v Wellington College a few weeks ago will know what stunning performance levels they are capable. Everything points to a proper end of season party on Saturday between these two.

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Marlborough College v Radley College

This ought to be an absolutely brilliant game with which to sign off 2021 for these two sides, two sides that at times this year have shown real brilliance and who will be so eager to show they very best of themselves in this final game. Marlborough are coming off the back of a couple of tricky results, losing to KCS Wimbledon in the Plate quarters in midweek after a Saturday defeat to Cranleigh, but they will be feeling like they can bounce back, this is a side that has beaten the likes of the high flying Monmouth this year. Radley are in a similar position after a narrow defeat to Tonbridge was followed by a shock defeat to Oundle last time out. However they will be harking back in their minds to the start of the season where they were one of the form sides in the country, a return to that and they could finish the season on a serious high.

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Seaford College v RGS Guildford

These are two really strong sides, both have done some brilliant things this term. Seaford College are on a three game victory streak having beaten Canford, Brighton College, and local rivals Hurstpierpoint College in succession and are riding the crest of a wave. They will be eager to finish off on a positive note, ahead of the Seaford 10s in January. In RGS Guildford they host a side that had won three tough games on the bounce on the road, before a defeat to Brighton College last weekend that still earned them rave reviews. Those comparative results against Brighton point to Seaford being favourites, but write off RGS at your peril.

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Shiplake College v Pangbourne College – Friday

Our Friday Night live stream under the lights at Rams Rugby in Reading, this promises to be a brilliant contest on Friday night. Both sides are so excited about it and the team sheets look strong. Regardless of the result though, this game is going to be all about the occasion and signing off for 2021 in style after such a miserable 18 months prior to the season starting. A celebration of getting this far in many ways. On the field it will be spicy too, and you can check out our full preview here: Shiplake College v Pangbourne College preview.

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St Benedict’s v Magdalen College

Only a couple of days ago St Benedict’s had a chance at going to the Daily Mail Trophy title, they just needed Millfield to beat Sedbergh without a bonus point and to stop Sedbergh getting a losing one in order to stay in the hunt on Saturday. Sadly for them, Millfield did the first part but Sedbergh did get the losing BP. However the title being unreachable should not tarnish St Benedict’s in any way, they have been utterly stunning this season, unbeaten outside of the Cup and still in with a strong shout of a 3rd place finish and a possible 2ndplace finish. They have quite simply been brilliant, however Magdalen College will be looking to spoil the party, this is their last game too and they will want to finish with a memorable victory.

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St Joseph’s College v Royal Hospital School

After cancellations in the last couple of weeks for these two, they finally get to round off 2021 with a massive Ipswich derby. St Joseph’s College have had a funny old season and have only actually played once since their wonderful Festival back in October, though that was an impressive 29-15 victory at Bishop’s Stortford College. Royal Hospital School have been similarly bereft of fixtures though, they have only played twice in the same period, but they were a couple of crackers, a 48-0 victory over The Leys and a thrilling 34-25 victory over Felsted. The incentive here for them is not just local bragging rights though, it is the prospect of an unbeaten season, which would be a stunning achievement in such a challenging year. St Joseph’s will not make it remotely easy though, they are a proud side and giving up any local bragging rights is not something they will do willingly.

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Uppingham v Oakham

Another massive derby, the Rutland derby between two schools that share a founder, a crest, and practically the same postcode. This game almost always transcends form and results, such is the fervour, but this year it should be particularly interesting. Oakham are currently playing at a level that puts them right amongst the big boys, and though they lost to Barnard Castle in the Schools Cup quarter finals in midweek, that will only probably fuel them even more. Uppingham’s season didn’t start how they would have liked, but since half term they have looked threatening, performing well against Radley College and Stowe before back to back victories over Oundle and The Leys to lead them into this massive season finale. Whichever way it turns out, expect the touchlines to be packed at Uppingham as their side run out in their pristine white against the black shirts of Oakham. It might not be England v The All Blacks, but for the 30 players on the field, it will feel like it on Saturday.

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Wellington College v Ipswich

A hastily arranged fixture after Wellington College’s game on Thursday against Harrow had to be called off so that Harrow could play their Cup quarter final. Ipswich, meanwhile, have a Plate quarter final next week and look to be gearing up to it by playing the toughest possible games, a midweek defeat to Whitgift and now a huge challenge against Wellington College, that is the ambition of this side though, who have really focused in on their rugby in the last year with impressive results. Wellington College though are not going to want the new boys to be coming to Bigside and taking their crown and you can be sure that they will be fierce on Saturday. Their last three games have been massive, a last gasp defeat to Clifton, a thrilling draw with Sedbergh, and a strong victory over Tonbridge, they will now want to finish on the ultimate high in front of their home support, and with the talent at their disposal, it could be a spectacular game.

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Friday

Elsewhere on Friday there are loads of exciting games aside from our two Ten to Watch games as sides look to finish their season with a real flourish under the lights on the final Friday of the season. Bablake & King Henry VIII round things off against KES Stratford, while Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar and St Olave’s Grammar go head to head, meanwhile Halliford, who have been such a thrilling side this year, head to Weybridge Vandals on Friday.

Also in action against club opposition are Churcher’s College, who round off their magnificent season against Petersfield RFC. Elsewhere St George’s Harpenden and Roundwood Park go head to head, while Cobham International are in action against ACS Cobham International.

Further West, KES Birmingham and KES Five Ways go head to head, while King’s Gloucester take on Katherine Lady Berkeley’s in a potential thriller.

Saturday

The big games keep coming in thick and fast on Saturday, not least Epsom College v Hurstpierpoint College, a huge end of season finale for both as they both seek to finish of their seasons on a high after defeats last weekend, Epsom have been fantastic this year, a real force, but Hurst have shown flashes of brilliance and will be eager to finish well. Along the road, Glyn look to finish in style after Wednesday’s Schools Bowl quarter final win against Lord Wandsworth College as they host Reigate Grammar, meanwhile Lord Wandsworth look to bounce back as they host Dauntsey’s in a big final game of the year for both.

Elsewhere the big games come think and fast not least between Skinners’ and The Judd, two huge state rugby schools with such a massive shared history. They are the closest of friends and the closest of rivals, and they play for the ‘Champions Cup’ on Saturday, the final game of the season for both, it will be huge. Elsewhere in the south East King’s Canterbury host Simon Langton and Gravesend Grammar hostDartford Grammar, while Ravens Wood travel out to Maidstone Grammar and St Dunstan’s head to Colfe’s.

One of the biggest games of the whole weekend is going to be St John’s Leatherhead v Hampton, two schools with great rugby history behind them and some fantastic performances this season. Both will be so eager to finish in style, and while Hampton have a fairly long fixture list next term this will be a huge one for them as it will be their outgoing Head of Rugby Sean Thomson’s last game at Hampton before he goes to Seaford College, Andy Beattie has been running things since September, but expect plenty of emotion nonetheless. Wimbledon College are also in action, they host Emanuel, while Sevenoaks welcome Eltham College for what ought to be a good one.

Caterham, fresh from their U18 Schools Plate game on Wednesday night, which you can watch below, are hosting City of London Freemen’s in a big end of season game, while Porstmouth Grammar welcomeRyde, and Colchester RGS travel to Brentwood in Essex.

Merchant Taylors’ have been utterly fantastic this season and they are going to be looking for a big showpiece finish at home against Reed’s on Saturday, while St Paul’s make the short trip for a local derby against London Oratory to see in the end of their season.

Out of London a little, Eton College are hosting Bishop Wordsworth’s in what ought to be a superb showcase private v state encounter with which to end the season, while along the road in Aylesbury Grammar, Reading Blue Coat are the visitors, fresh from that dramatic U18 Schools Vase quarter final victory on Wednesday, which you can watch below.

Further West still, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar and Solihull go head to head, they have both had some really strong moments this year and will be eager to finish off in style. Meanwhile Denstone College, who made last week’s Top 5 after their comeback against Whitgift, are hosting another big side on Saturday in their final game as QEGS Wakefield come to town, while fellow Leicester Tigers partners Loughborough Grammar are welcoming Mount St Mary’s College, who reached the Schools Vase semi finals in fine style on Wednesday.

In the South West there are some massive fixtures on Saturday but one of the very biggest is going to be the Classic Clash as Truro School, who have had a decent year, welcome Woodhouse Grove, who this year have been one of the very best in the business. It will be a tough task for the hosts, but the atmosphere is set to be huge and it should be an absolutely epic occasion.

Elsewhere, Monmouth look to sign off their superb year in style, they head for a tricky fixture at Bristol Grammar School, meanwhile Blundell’s look to bounce back from defeat to Taunton School last week against Taunton’s local rivals King’s College Taunton, that should be mouth-watering.

There is a big triangular involving the other Taunton side, Queen’s College Taunton, they head to Shebbear College, who will also host Wellington School. Elsewhere KES Bath host Prior Park College, with Clifton High welcoming Rendcomb College, meanwhile Wycliffe College host RGS Worcester in what ought to be a brilliant game.

Bloxham will look to use last week’s experience v Kirkham to good effect as they round off their season at Kingswood, while Colston’s aim to finish off in style over at Pate’s Grammar.

In the North of the country the big games keep coming, RGS Newcastle v Ampleforth College should be an end of season showstopper, both have had huge moments this year, so too Pocklington v St Peter’s York, two sides that can play superb rugby. Scarisbrick Hall meanwhile host The Grange, while Oswestry head to Liverpool College.

Wirral Grammar have had a great year and will be eager to end in style at Birkenhead, while St Ambrose Grammar v Manchester Grammar is definitely another to look out for. Meanwhile St Anselm’s College hostStockport Grammar, which should be great, and Rishworth head to AKS Lytham and Wilmslow High are at Merchant Taylors’.

Things are fairly busy in Scotland, where Stewart’s Melville v Dollar Academy looks like it’s the big one, Strathallan are at home to Glenalmond College and Hutcheson’s Grammar look to sign off a fantastic year in strong fashion at home to Marr College.

Elsewhere there’s a Glasgow derby, with Glasgow High hosting Glasgow Academy, while St Aloysius’ College are at Kelvinside Academy. Dundee High host Queen Victoria and Morrison’s Academy are at Howe of Fife RFC. They are not the only ones playing a club side, Loretto host Stirling County, while back in the all schools fixtures, Edinburgh Academy welcome Robert Gordon’s College.

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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Friday 10th December

Bablake & King Henry VIII, Coventry v KES Stratford

Claremont Fan Court v ACS Cobham International

Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar v St Olave’s Grammar

KES Birmingham v KES Five Ways

Kirkham Grammar v Bedford (Schools Cup QF)

King’s Gloucester v Katharine Lady Berkeley’s

Petersfield RFC v Churcher’s College

Roundwood Park v St George’s, Harpenden

Shiplake College v Pangbourne College

Weybridge Vandals v Halliford

Saturday 11th December

AKS Lytham v Rishworth

Aylesbury Grammar v Reading Blue Coat

Birkenhead v Wirral Grammar

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar v Solihull

Blundell’s v King’s College, Taunton

Brentwood v RGS Colchester

Bristol Grammar v Monmouth

Caterham v City of London Freemen’s

Clifton High v Rendcomb College

Colfe’s v St Dunstan’s

Denstone College v QEGS Wakefield

Dulwich College v Berkhamsted

Dundee High v Queen Victoria School

Edinburgh Academy v Robert Gordon’s College

Epsom College v Hurstpierpoint College

Eton College v Bishop Wordsworth’s

Glasgow High v Glasgow Academy

Glyn v Reigate Grammar

Gravesend Grammar v Dartford Grammar

Howe of Fife RFC v Morrison’s Academy

Hutcheson’s Grammar v Marr College

Kelvinside Academy v St Aloysius’ College

KES Bath v Prior Park College

King’s Canterbury v Simon Langton Grammar

Kingswood v Bloxham

Liverpool College v Oswestry

Llandovery College v Sedbergh

London Oratory v St Paul’s

Lord Wandsworth College v Dauntsey’s

Loretto v Stirling County RFC

Loughborough Grammar v Mount St Mary’s College

Maidstone Grammar v Ravens Wood

Marlborough College v Radley College

Merchant Taylors’, Crosby v Wilmslow High

Merchant Taylors’, Northwood v Reed’s

Pate’s Grammar v Colston’s

Pocklington v St Peter’s, York

Portsmouth Grammar v Ryde

RGS Newcastle v Ampleforth College

Scarisbrick Hall v The Grange U17

Seaford College v RGS Guildford

Sevenoaks v Eltham College

Shebbear Triangular: Shebbear College, Wellington School, Queen’s College Taunton

Skinners’ v The Judd

St Ambrose Grammar v Manchester Grammar

St Anselm’s College v Stockport Grammar

St Benedict’s v Magdalen College

St John’s, Leatherhead v Hampton

St Joseph’s College v Royal Hospital School

Stewart’s Melville v Dollar Academy

Strathallan v Glenalmond College

Truro School v Woodhouse Grove

Uppingham v Oakham

Wellington College v Ipswich

Wimbledon College v Emanuel

Wycliffe College v RGS Worcester

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