It has been a week of superb schools rugby, with a fairly empty fixture list, but a fixture list full of massive games.
There was action on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, as well as the Mount Kelly 10s on Wednesday – which you can read about here: Mount Kelly 10s Roundup.
Tuesday
Tuesday saw two great names in schools rugby go head to head, St Benedict’s and RGS High Wycombe. St Benedict’s arrived having achieved a 3rd place finish in the Daily Mail Trophy, and with only a narrow defeat to Harrow in the Cup on the L column. However RGS put in one of their performances of the season to really challenge the Ealing side. St Benedict’s left some chances on the field, but RGS were good value, sealing a 16-10 victory. There are big games left for St Benedict’s though, not least a huge clash against Hampton.
Wednesday
Lancaster RGS’ superb start to 2022 continued on Wednesday with a really gritty 8-5 victory over Stonyhurst, who have been in strong form too, to reach the Lancashire Cup Final.
It was in the North of England where the bulk of the rest of the action on Wednesday took place too, and one of the standout performances was a stunning 81-0 victory for Merchant Taylors’ away at Bury Grammar, an astonishing result.
Elsewhere in the north, Durham were in fine form again, heading to Ripon Grammar and sealing a 42-12 victory. Meanwhile Harrogate Grammar, so impressive all season, continued their good form with a 24-19 victory at Bradford Grammar.
Into the Midlands, KES Camp Hill were in victorious form against Alcester Grammar, 26-14, while there was a thrilling draw between Newcastle-Under-Lyme and Queen Mary’s Grammar, 17-17. Over in Suffolk, Bishop Wand, with their London Irish contingent back in the shirt, were up against St Joseph’s College. The home side got off to a good start but as the game wore on, Bishop Wand gripped it and sealed an exciting 41-29 victory.
In and around London, Tiffin were very impressive, as so often this term, beating Latymer Upper 40-0. Meanwhile Ravens Wood were also in strong form with a 25-10 defeat of Wallington County Grammar, ACS Cobham International meanwhile beat Harrodian 28-10.
Thursday
Thursday had one massive game – the last remaining U18 Schools Plate quarter final as Stockport Grammar hosted Norwich. A semi final against the hugely impressive Stowe School was the prize, and it was to be Stockport Grammar that claimed it after an absolutely stunning performance powered them into the semi finals, 52-19. They will now be eyeing up that Stowe fixture with huge confidence.
If you have any photos, video, reports, or any other content from the week’s U18 Academy League 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.
Tuesday
St Benedict’s 10-16 RGS High Wycombe
Wednesday
ACS Cobham International 28-10 Harrodian
Bradford Grammar 19-24 Harrogate Grammar
Bury Grammar 0-81 Merchant Taylors’, Crosby
KES Camp Hill 26-14 Alcester Grammar
Newcastle-Under-Lyme 17-17 Queen Mary’s Grammar
Ravens Wood 25-10 Wallington County Grammar
Ripon Grammar 12-42 Durham
St Joseph’s College 29-41 Bishop Wand
Stonyhurst 5-8 Lancaster RGS (County Cup)
Tiffin 40-0 Latymer Upper
Thursday
Stockport Grammar 52-19 Norwich (Schools Plate QF)