Wednesday sees the final round of Stage 1 in the 2022 ACE League as teams vie for those all-important Top 4 finishes and qualification for the Division 1 Pools in Stage 2.
The top 4 finishes from each pool are divided into two Division 1 Pools of four for Stage 2, first and third in the North grouped with second and fourth in the South and vice versa. Those finishing in the bottom three places in each of the Stage 1 Divisions go through to the Division 2 Pools in Stage 2, which remain split North/South
Round 7 Fixtures:
North Group
Myerscough College v Brooksby Melton College
Oaklands College v Bishop Burton College
Stourport High v City of Oxford College
Gosforth Academy v Bye
In the Northern Conference Gosforth Academy have completed their fixtures and just need Myerscough College not to bead Brooksby Melton College with a bonus point on Wednesday and they will be guaranteed a top 4 finish. For Myerscough, victory over Brooksby Melton will secure them a top 4 finish, while for Brooksby Melton College a victory will guarantee a finish in top spot.
Stourport High School host City of Oxford College, the two sides are in third and fourth and level on 17 points, one behind Gosforth and four behind Brooksby Melton. The winner will be guaranteed a top 4 place, the loser will be waiting with baited breath in the hope that Myerscough fail to beat Brooksby Melton.
The third game in the North sees Oaklands College host Bishop Burton College. Oaklands are hoping for a first victory of the season and perhaps with neither side able to qualify for the Top 4 this could be their best chance, on the other hand Bishop Burton will be feeling hard done by at not being able to qualify given that they already have two victories to their name, and may have a point to prove.
South Group
Bishop Wand v Truro College
Exeter College v SGS Filton College
Hartpury College v Gordon’s
Beechen Cliff v Bye
In the Southern Conference the Top 4 is confirmed, Hartpury College, Beechen Cliff, Bishop Wand, and Exeter College are all through to the Division 1 conferences, the only question is in what order will Bishop Wand and Exeter College go through in.
Hartpury College are guaranteed top spot, they are a point clear of Beechen Cliff, who have played all of their games and have a 7 points lead over third place. This Wednesday Hartpury take on Gordon’s, who will be hoping for a massive scalp for a first victory of the season, perhaps catching Hartpury cold, Hartpury have maximum points so far, given that they have already sealed top spot.
Third and fourth are the key spots here, Bishop Wand and Exeter College are tied on 17 points and both have home games on Wednesday. Bishop Wand host Truro College, while Exeter College host an SGS Filton College side that will be feeling a little unlucky to have missed out on a top four opportunity.
It should be a cracking day of action in Round 7 of the ACE League ahead of those crucial Stage 2 Groups next week.
Tables
North Group
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | BPS | Points |
| 1 | Brooksby Melton College | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 21 |
| 2 | Gosforth Academy | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 | Stourport High | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 17 |
| 4 | City of Oxford College | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 17 |
| 5 | Myerscough College | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 13 |
| 6 | Bishop Burton College | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| 7 | Oaklands College | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
South Group
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | BPS | Points |
| 1 | Hartpury College | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 25 |
| 2 | Beechen Cliff | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 24 |
| 3 | Bishop Wand | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 17 |
| 4 | Exeter College | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 17 |
| 5 | SGS Filton College | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| 6 | Truro College | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| 7 | Gordon’s | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
