What a week of schools rugby it has been, with the second round of the U18 Schools Cup absolutely dominating proceedings.
That has been far from the only action, with the Plate, Vase, and Bowl all seeing major moves too, as well as plenty of non-knockout rugby.
Schools Cup
We begin though with the Schools Cup, which saw drama in all sorts of different varieties this way and some extraordinary games of rugby.
North A
Woodhouse Grove 52-22 St Peter’s York (Wednesday)
Stonyhurst 12-22 RGS Newcastle (Wednesday)
North A was an all Wednesday affair and it’ll be Woodhouse Grove hosting RGS Newcastle in the regional final, but after two contrasting second round fixtures. Woodhouse Grove were on fire against St Peter’s York, scoring a hatful of tries in a real points-fest for a 52-22 victory. RGS in contrast were on the road and had to be at their best against Stonyhurst for a 12-22 victory and a welcome further confidence boost ahead of the weekend’s action at the St Joseph’s Festival.
North B
Bromsgrove 27-28 King’s Macclesfield (Wednesday)
Stockport Grammar 69-5 Merchant Taylors’, Crosby (Wednesday)
It’s going to be King’s Macclesfield v Stockport Grammar in North B after an extraordinary Wednesday that saw King’s Macclesfield win the tightest of games against two time champions Bromsgrove, 28-27. Away from home King’s Macclesfield have made a statement now that they are a serious threat in this competition. So too must be Stockport Grammar, who had a stunning victory over Merchant Taylors’, 69-5, a result that has made everyone sit up and take notice.
Midlands A
Oakham 33-7 Warwick (Wednesday)
Stowe 36-12 King’s Worcester (Tuesday)
Midlands A is set up to be a cracker, Oakham v Stowe, the former champions against last year’s Plate winners. It was the Plate holders that kicked things off, Stowe putting in another great shift for a 36-12 victory over King’s Worcester on Tuesday. Oakham then made a major statement with a comfortable 33-7 victory over three time champions Warwick. Stowe’s prowess is well known, but Oakham are putting together a season that is starting to look very much in top 10 category.
Midlands B
Finborough 70-3 Felsted (Thursday)
Bedford 52-50 Northampton School for Boys (Tuesday)
What to say about Midlands B…bonkers. The regional final will be Finborough v Bedford, but that doesn’t tell half the story. On Tuesday Bedford had one of the most extraordinary games of rugby that we have ever seen, facing former finalists Northampton School for Boys. The two went at it, and the most unbelievable game unfolded, Bedford winning 52-50. Extraordinary. Then on Thursday Finborough were extraordinary in an entirely different way. Their prowess is now well known, victories over NSB and Ipswich have ensured that, but a 70-3 victory over Felsted on Thursday has shifted the conversation. They now have to be considered title contenders.
London & South East A
Cardinal Newman v The Judd (Wednesday 19th)
Whitgift 15-40 Trinity (Wednesday)
Reigning champions Trinity are into the regional final after a quite magnificent performance at the home of local rivals and former champions Whitgift, winning 40-15 and cementing a status as one of the best teams in the country. They will have to wait until next week to discover their opponents though, in form Judd head to Cardinal Newman on Wednesday.
London & South East B
KCS Wimbledon 21-59 Hampton (Wednesday)
Harrow v Berkhamsted (Saturday)
We all knew Hampton were flying, but on Wednesday they stepped it up big time again with a stunning 59-21 victory at KCS Wimbledon. They will find out their opponents whilst at the St Joseph’s Festival this weekend, with Harrow facing Berkhamsted at Harrow on Saturday.
South West A
Seaford College 43-19 RGS Guildford (Tuesday)
Marlborough College 48-14 Canford (Tuesday)
Two outstanding victoties mean that Seaford College will host Marlborough College in the South West A regional final. Both were in action on Tuesday, Seaford with a brilliant 43-19 victory over RGS Guildford, who have been superb this year, that will send them up to Merchiston Castle this weekend full of confidence, while Marlborough College will head to St Joseph’s College with equal confidence after an equally brilliant 48-14 victory over Canford.
South West B
Sir Thomas Rich’s 47-0 Sherborne (Tuesday)
Blundell’s 71-13 King’s College, Taunton (Wednesday)
Two dominant victories mean Sir Thomas Rich’s will host Blundell’s in the regional final in South West B. On Tuesday Tommies were truly outstanding against last year’s semi finalists, Sherborne, for a 47-0 victory. Then on Wednesday Blundell’s took things up a notch further with a truly wonderful 71-13 victory over King’s College Taunton. These two are looking brilliant.
Around the Grounds
Roundup to follow, in the meantime, here’s what happened:
Monday
Cokethorpe 12-22 Monkton Combe (Schools Bowl)
Tuesday
Cranbrook 29-10 Sevenoaks
Ellesmere College 24-5 Sandbach (Schools Vase)
Epsom College 26-5 Dulwich College (Schools Plate)
Hurstpierpoint College 49-19 John Fisher (Schools Plate)
Monmouth 72-5 Collegiate (Schools Plate)
Orleans Park 13-38 Cardinal Vaughan (Schools Bowl)
Samuel Whitbread Academy 10-5 The Perse (Schools Vase)
Stewart’s Melville 38-10 Fettes College
St Benedict’s 43-14 New Hall (Schools Plate)
Tiffin 36-29 St Andrew’s (Schools Bowl)
Torquay Boys Grammar 33-33 Mount Kelly (Schools Bowl)
Wednesday
Aylesbury Grammar 22-41 Dr Challoner’s (Schools Vase)
Bablake & King Henry VIII 66-7 Sourtport High 2nd XV
Barnard Castle 50-10 Ampleforth College
Beth’s Grammar 24-16 Oakwood Park Grammar
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar 27-28 Princethorpe College (Schools Vase)
Bloxham 39-7 RGS Worcester (Schools Plate)
Claires Court 21-19 Mill Hill (Schools Vase)
Cokethorpe 0-17 King’s Gloucester
Coleg y Cymoedd 10-3 Llandovery College
Crossley Heath 47-0 Birkdale (Schools Bowl)
Dame Allan’s 10-19 Harrogate Grammar (Schools Bowl)
Eastbourne College 57-22 Lord Wandsworth College (Schools Vase)
Ewell Castle 11-19 Fulham Boys
Exeter School 10-26 Ivybridge Community College (Schools Vase)
Farnborough 6th form College 31-0 Chichester College
Gravesend Grammar 19-30 Skinners’ (Schools Vase)
Grey Court 14-28 Brentwood (Schools Vase)
Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby 36-32 Adams Grammar
Hereford Cathedral 17-0 KES Camp Hill (Schools Vase)
KES Aston 10-22 Shrewsbury
KES Birmingham 36-0 Newcastle Under Lyme
Leicester Grammar 52-0 Royal Latin (Schools Bowl)
Leighton Park 17-5 Reading
Loughborough Grammar 25-5 St Edward’s, Oxford (Schools Vase)
LVS Ascot 27-14 Burnham Grammar
Newcastle School for Boys 12-55 Durham
Nottingham High 27-32 Mount St Mary’s College (Schools Vase)
Old Swinford Hospital 45-19 The Crypt (Schools Vase)
Poole Grammar 0-20 Portsmouth Grammar (Schools Bowl)
QES Barnet 12-31 Coopers’ Coborn (Schools Bowl)
Reddam House 36-7 The Forest
Reed’s 22-23 St John’s Leatherhead (Schools Vase)
Reigate Grammar 25-14 Glyn (Schools Vase)
Rendcomb College 38-0 Sibford
Richard Hale 38-0 Bishop’s Stortford High (Schools Vase)
Richard Huish 40-20 Taunton (Schools Plate)
Rishworth 24-17 Manchester Grammar (Schools Vase)
Saint Cecilia’s 24-7 The Cedars (Schools Bowl)
Sandringham 10-35 St Columba’s College (Schools Bowl)
Shiplake College 50-0 Reddam House (Schools Bowl)
Skinners’ 30-19 Gravesend Grammar (Schools Vase)
St Ambrose College 73-0 Altrincham Grammar (Schools Vase)
St Anselm’s College 22-14 Wirral Grammar (Schools Vase)
The Oratory 13-19 Reading Blue Coat (Schools Vase)
Truro School 42-5 Truro College
Wallington County Grammar 19-10 Langley Park (Schools Vase)
Thursday
Abingdon 29-7 Bishop Wordsworth’s (Schools Plate)
Millfield 3rd XV 31-52 Prior Park College
Christ’s Hospital 24-45 Worth
Culford 27-10 Wisbech Grammar
Dartford Grammar 33-26 Eltham College (Schools Bowl)
Eton College 22-14 Radley College
George Heriot’s 19-24 Robert Gordon’s College
King’s Bruton 22-10 Milton Abbey
St Lawrence College 7-33 Sutton Valence (Schools Vase)
Still to Come:
Cheadle Hulme v Liverpool College (Schools Plate)
Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar v Ravens Wood (Schools Vase)
Pocklington v Hymers College (Schools Vase)
RGS High Wycombe v Caterham (Schools Plate)
Worthing College v Farnborough 6th for College (Schools Bowl)
