Half time might well come as a blessed relief to a number of players and schools for as we head towards the final weekend before the half term break we have another massive midweek of school action on our hands.
Round 2 of the U18 Schools Cup takes place, along with Round 1 of the Schools Plate, plus Vase and Bowl action, and so much more. The fixture list is as packed as can be and the storylines enormous as we build towards the break.
Schools Cup
We begin the week’s preview with the U18 Schools Cup, which enter it’s second round, the last 32 – which is, in effect, the regional semi final stage. After this it will be the regional finals, from which the 8 winners will go into the quarter final draw.
North A
Woodhouse Grove v St Peter’s York (Wednesday)
Stonyhurst v RGS Newcastle (Wednesday)
Two exceptional fixtures in North A, both on Wednesday. Former Plate champions Woodhouse Grove take on fellow giants St Peter’s York, with both sides needing a bit of a boost from this game too. Meanwhile former finalists RGS Newcastle, who are looking on form, head to a Stonyhurst side that is also playing some top rugby. Victory for RGS could spark something really special as they head to St Joseph’s on Saturday looking to claim the title that they won in 2018.
North B
Bromsgrove v King’s Macclesfield (Wednesday)
Stockport Grammar v Merchant Taylors’, Crosby (Wednesday)
North B also all takes place on Wednesday, and at the top of the draw two-time champions Bromsgrove are hosting a King’s Macclesfield side that is absolutely flying this season. Meanwhile on the other side of the draw Stockport Grammar welcome Merchant Taylors’.
Midlands A
Oakham v Warwick (Wednesday)
Stowe v King’s Worcester (Tuesday)
Midlands A is just absolutely loaded. It all kicks off on Tuesday when last year’s Plate champions Stowe host King’s Worcester, in what should be an excellent game. The winner will then have all their attention trained on Rutland on Wednesday as Oakham welcome Warwick for a battle of former champions, both are in solid form too, indeed Oakham are unbeaten, this is not to be missed.
Midlands B
Finborough v Felsted (Thursday)
Bedford v Northampton School for Boys (Tuesday)
Midlands B is not to be missed either, it kicks off on Tuesday with former Champions Trophy winners Bedford hosting former Schools Cup finalists Northampton School for Boys. Both have played some great rugby this year, and could make for a great game on Tuesday. After that the winners will surely hot-footing it east to catch Finborough v Felsted on Thursday. Felsted are a well established competitor in this competition, and going well, but they will need to be at their best against a new kid on the block Finborough, who have already knocked out high-flying Ipswich.
London & South East A
Cardinal Newman v The Judd (Wednesday 19th)
Whitgift v Trinity (Wednesday)
London & South East A starts on Wednesday with a huge Croydon derby, two of the best in the business going head to head, the two most recent champions, Whitgift and Trinity. It’s the start of a huge few days for Trinity as they gear up for their St Joseph’s Festivla debut, but they will have all their focus on this game first. It is going to be huge, the tie of the round possibly. The winner then has a week to wait before the highly in form Judd head to Ealing Trailfinders affiliates, Cardinal Newman. Another exceptionally big game in a section that is not to be missed.
London & South East B
KCS Wimbledon v Hampton (Wednesday)
Harrow v Berkhamsted (Saturday)
If that’s not to be missed, then so too is London & South East B. It kicks off on Wednesday with a trip to KCS Wimbledon for Hampton. Hampton ended up with a walkover in the last round but are one of the strongest sides in the country, KCS at home will be inspired though so Hampton will need to be at their best. Attention then turns on Saturday to Harrow v Berkhamsted, two of the strongest sides last season and two of the strongest again this year. Indeed Harrow were Berkhamsted’s only ‘blemish’ en route to their Daily Mail Trophy triumph last year, drawing 10-10. On Saturday they again meet as two of the best in the country, both unbeaten, both flying, but only one can go through.
South West A
Seaford College v RGS Guildford (Tuesday)
Marlborough College v Canford (Tuesday)
Into the South West and a South West A section that will take place exclusively on Tuesday. Seaford College host RGS Guildford looks interesting after Seaford had a tough outing on Saturday and RGS went down at the hands of Judd. Both have the potential to go very deep. So too do Marlborough College and Canford, who also meet on Tuesday. Both have had similar seasons, some good days some less go, but both a playing well right now and Canford are on a three game roll, while Marlborough will be itching to keep momentum up ahead of their St Joseph’s Festival debut.
South West B
Sir Thomas Rich’s v Sherborne (Tuesday)
Blundell’s v King’s College, Taunton (Wednesday)
Finally to South West B, which kicks off on Tuesday with a trip to Sir Thomas Rich’s for last year’s semi finalists, Sherborne. It should be a top game, both look well matched and have played some wonderful rugby at times this year. The winner will then turn their attention to Devon on Wednesday, where a strong Blundell’s outfit will take on a King’s College Taunton side with some great results behind them too.
Monday
Cokethorpe v Monkton Combe (Schools Bowl)
Worthing College v Farnborough 6th for College (Schools Bowl)
Monday sees a little bit of Schools Bowl action as Worthing College and Farnborough 6th form College meet in in Round 2 of South West B, with Cokethorpe and Monkton Combe meeting in the same section.
Tuesday
Cranbrook v Sevenoaks
Ellesmere College v Sandbach (Schools Vase)
Epsom College v Dulwich College (Schools Plate)
Hurstpierpoint College v John Fisher (Schools Plate)
Monmouth v Collegiate (Schools Plate)
Orleans Park v Cardinal Vaughan (Schools Bowl)
Samuel Whitbread Academy v The Perse (Schools Vase)
Stewart’s Melville v Fettes College
St Benedict’s v New Hall (Schools Plate)
Tiffin v St Andrew’s (Schools Bowl)
Torquay Boys Grammar v Mount Kelly (Schools Bowl)
Tuesday sees the U18 Schools Plate get properly underway, North A has already seen its first round, with QEGS Wakefield and Barnard Castle set to meet in the regional final there. Tuesday will see others join them though, London & South East A sees both regional semi finals take place as Epsom College, former Champions Trophy finalists, host three time Cup champions Dulwich College. The winner will face either Hurstpierpoint College or John Fisher, who also meet on Tuesday.
Over in London & South East B there is also action as St Benedict’s welcome New Hall, while in South West B the most successful side in Cup history, Collegiate, head to Monmouth.
Tuesday also sees Vase action as Ellesmere College and Sandbach go head to head in North A, while in Midlands B The Perse head to former champions, Samuel Whitbread Academy.
Over in the Bowl there is plenty going on too, Tiffin hosting St Andrew’s and Cardinal Vaughan heading to Orleans Park, meanwhile Torquay Boys Grammar host Mount Kelly.
Outside of the knockouts, Cranbrook host Sevenoaks, while in Scotland there is a heavyweight clash between Stewart’s Melville and Fettes College.
Wednesday
Aylesbury Grammar v Dr Challoner’s (Schools Vase)
Barnard Castle v Ampleforth College
Bedstone College v Bredon
Birkdale v Crossley Heath (Schools Bowl)
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar v Princethorpe College (Schools Vase)
Bloxham v RGS Worcester (Schools Plate)
Bournemouth Collegeiate v Bishop Wordsworth 2nd XV
Cheadle Hulme v Liverpool College (Schools Plate)
Cheltenham Bournside v Chosen Hill
Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar v Ravens Wood (Schools Vase)
Claires Court v Mill Hill (Schools Vase)
Cokethorpe v King’s Gloucester
Coleg y Cymoedd v Llandovery College
Dame Allan’s v Harrogate Grammar (Schools Bowl)
Eastbourne College v Lord Wandsworth College (Schools Vase)
Ewell Castle v Fulham Boys
Exeter School v Ivybridge Community College (Schools Vase)
Farnborough 6th form College v Chichester College
Gravesend Grammar v Skinners’ (Schools Vase)
Grey Court v Brentwood (Schools Vase)
Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby v Adams Grammar
Hereford Cathedral v KES Camp Hill (Schools Vase)
KES Birmingham v Newcastle Under Lyme
Leicester Grammar v Royal Latin (Schools Bowl)
Leighton Park v Reading
Loughborough Grammar v St Edward’s, Oxford (Schools Vase)
LVS Ascot v Burnham Grammar
Newcastle School for Boys v Durham
Nottingham High v Mount St Mary’s College (Schools Vase)
Oakwood Park Grammar v Beth’s Grammar
Old Swinford Hospital v The Crypt (Schools Vase)
Pocklington v Hymers College (Schools Vase)
Poole Grammar v Portsmouth Grammar (Schools Bowl)
QES Barnet v Coopers’ Coborn (Schools Bowl)
Reddam House v The Forest
Reed’s v St John’s Leatherhead (Schools Vase)
Reigate Grammar v Glyn (Schools Vase)
Rendcomb College v Sibford
RGS High Wycombe v Caterham (Schools Plate)
Richard Huish v Taunton (Schools Plate)
Rishworth v Manchester Grammar (Schools Vase)
Royal Alexandra & Albert v City of London Freemen’s
Saint Cecilia’s v The Cedars (Schools Bowl)
Sandringham v St Columba’s College (Schools Bowl)
Scarborough College v Hill House
Shrewsbury v KES Aston
Simon Langton v Trinity Sevenoaks
Sir William Borlase’s Grammar v John Hampden Grammar
St Ambrose College v Altrincham Grammar (Schools Vase)
St Anselm’s College v Wirral Grammar (Schools Vase)
The Oratory v Reading Blue Coat (Schools Vase)
Truro School v Truro College
UCS v Sir Henry Floyd Grammar
Wallington County Grammar v Langley Park (Schools Vase)
Wednesday is a massive day, and it features some major Plate action too. North B sees Cheadle Hulme host Liverpool College for the right to play either Solihull or Oswestry, while in Midlands A former champions Bloxham are hosting RGS Worcester.
In the South West sections, RGS High Wycombe, the former Cup champions, welcome Caterham in South West A, while in South West B Richard Huish host Taunton, with the winners knowing who they will face as Monmouth and Collegiate go head to head the day before.
Over in the Vase the games continue to come thick and fast. North A sees a couple of crackers as in form Wirral Grammar head to St Anselm’s College and Altrincham Grammar head to St Ambrose College.
Over in North B there are three games, most notably the reigning champions Mount St Mary’s College’s travelling to Nottingham High. Meanwhile Pocklington host Hymers College and Manchester Grammar make the trip to Rishworth.
In the Midlands it’s Midlands A that hogs the action, Aylesbury Grammar School hosting Dr Challoner’s Grammar, whilst Bishop Vesey’s Grammar hosts Princethorpe College. Hereford Cathedral School are in action at home to KES Camp Hill, while St Edward’s Oxford make the trip to Loughborough Grammar.
Over in the London sections, London & South East A sees a massive clash between to titans, Reed’s and St John’s Leatherhead, while in form Reigate Grammar host are at home against a good Glyn side. Brentwood head to Grey Court, while Claires Court host Mill Hill. Over in London & South East B, Ravens Wood are heading to Chislehurst & Sidcup, with Langley Park, fresh from an epic weekend, off at Wallington County Grammar. Gravesend Grammar meanwhile host a strong Skinners’ side.
South West A sees in form Old Swinford Hospital at home against The Crypt, whilel knockout kings Ivybridge Community College head to Exeter School. Over in South West B, Lord Wandsworth College are in action at a rampant Eastbourne College, while The Oratory v Reading Blue Coat has the potential to be one of the top games of the round.
Over in the Bowl the action keeps on coming Tom Burrows Cup winners Dame Allan’s taking on Harrogate Grammar, while Crossley Heath head to Birkdale. Leicester Grammar are at home against Royal Latin, while St Columba’s College head up to Sandringham. Further South QES Barnet host Coopers’ Coborn and Saint Cecilia’s host The Cedars, while in the South West Poole Grammar host Portsmouth Grammar.
There is a huge amount of non-knockout action going on too though, and in the North East in particular there is some outstanding stuff. Barnard Castle host Ampelforth College in an old school schools rugby classic, while Durham host Newcastle School for Boys for what is becoming a top fixture.
Further south Scarborough College host Hill House, while Newcastle-Under-Lyme are at KES Birmingham. Over in Wales Llandovery College head to Coleg y Cymoedd. Back across the border, Shrewsbury host KES Aston, with Abraham Darby welcoming Adams Grammar.
Towards the South West Cheltenham Bournside are at home against Chosen Hill, with King’s Gloucester heading to Cokethorpe. There is also a huge Cornwall derby as Truro School go head to head with Truro College.
Along the coast Bournemouth Collegiate host Bishop Wordsworth’s 2nd XV, with Chichester College heading to Farnborough 6th form College. Elsewhere Bredon are at BEdstone College and Rendcomb College host Sibford.
Simon Langton Grammar have a big one at home to Trinity Sevenoaks, while Oakwood Park Grammar host Beth’s Grammar and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar welcome John Hampden Grammar. Sir Henry Floyd Grammar are in action at UCS.
Royal Alexandra & Albert are at home against City of London Freemen’s, while The Forest head to Reddam House and LVS Ascot host Burham Grammar, with Leighton Park hosting Reading, and Fulham Boys heading to Ewell Castle.
Thursday
Abingdon v Bishop Wordsworth’s (Schools Plate)
Bethany v Ashford
Cathedral School, Llandaff v Prior Park College
Christ’s Hospital v Worth
Culford v Wisbech Grammar
Dartford Grammar v Eltham College (Schools Bowl)
Eton College v Radley College
George Heriot’s v Robert Gordon’s College
King’s Bruton v Milton Abbey
Sidcot v Clifton High
St Lawrence College v Sutton Valence (Schools Vase)
Thursday has a similar feel to Tuesday, and the big headline will be the U18 Schools Plate game between Abingdon and Bishop Wordsworth’s in South West A, with the winner facing the winner of Wednesday’s RGS High Wycombe v Caterham game.
There is also Vase action as last year’s finalists, Sutton Valence, visit St Lawrence College in the third round of London & South East B. Over in the Bowl, Eltham College and Dartford Grammar go head to head.
Outside of the knockouts things look great too, not least in the classic schools rugby fixture that is Eton College v Radley College, with Eton gunning for an unbeaten first half of term. Also in action are Christ’s Hospital and Worth, two great rugby schools, as well as Bethany v Ashford and Culford v Wisbech Grammar.
In the South West King’s Bruton welcome Milton Abbey, with Clifton High at Sidcot. Meanwhile Prior Park College head over the border to Wales to take on Cathedral School, Llandaff. Over the other border, the Scottish border, George Heriot’s host Robert Gordon’s College.
