With the weekend’s big kick off getting ever nearer, the excitement for the forthcoming schools rugby season is palpable.
Late March and then season ending high of the Rosslyn Park National School 7s and the Sedbergh Super 10s feels a long time ago now. Players, parents, coaches, old boys and girls, schoolmates, and those of us watching from the outside have waited long enough, the restart is almost upon us.
Indeed for a few hardy souls it is already underway, Scotland saw plenty of games this weekend and among the plethora of pre season games and festivals in England this weekend there were a handful of competitive games, with more to come through Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as well.
Weekend Roundup
It was a strong day for Scottish rugby, with their schools following the example of the national side by beating English oppositions. Fettes College welcomed Dame Allan’s north of the border and sealed an excellent 50-14 victory, while travelling in the other direction were George Watson’s College, who continued what has, frankly, been an astoundingly good pre-season period with a 59-19 victory at RGS Newcastle, who were shorn of a few players due to U18 Academy League action.
Elsewhere in Scotland Dundee High won a thriller at home to Edinburgh Academy, 36-33, while Dollar Academy won a tight one too, 22-17 over Stewart’s Melville. Strathallan were on strong away form, beating Loretto 26-14.
In England there were some fixtures despite the U18 Academy League, lots of pre-season festivals and game where scores were not recorded, however some were and there were some strong statements among them. Warwick met Stowe and though both had absences there was still an abundance of good play on both sides as Warwick took a 29-29 victory that will likely give them plenty of confidence for the year ahead.
RGS Worcester too, who travelled to Malvern College and won a really tight game 17-10, while on Friday night in Yorkshire things were even tighter as Hymers College and Scarborough held one another to a 12-12 draw. The side that likely comes bursting out of the weekend with the most confidence though is Tiffin, who were superb en route to a very fine 38-8 victory over Reigate Grammar School.
Weekend Results
Dollar Academy 22-17 Stewart’s Melville
Dundee High School 36-33 Edinburgh Academy
Fettes College 50-14 Dame Allan’s
Hymers College 12-12 Scarborough – Friday
Loretto 14-26 Strathallan
Malvern College 10-17 RGS Worcester
Merchant Taylors’ Crosby 10-15 Scarisbrick Hall
RGS Newcastle 19-59 George Watson’s College
Tiffin 38-8 Reigate Grammar
Warwick 29-19 Stowe
Midweek Preview
There are fixtures on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week, the bulk of which remain pre-season games but there are a smattering of competitive games amongst them.
Tuesday Fixtures
Crediton RFC v Exeter School (pre-season)
It’s club action for Exeter School to round off pre-season as they head to Crediton RFC on Tuesday with a view to getting themselves in tip top shape ahead of the season to come.
Wednesday Fixtures
Campion v Hayes
Cardiff & Vale College Triangular
City of London Freemen’s v Glyn
Kettering RFC v Wellingborough (pre-season)
King’s Worcester v Hereford 6th form College (pre-season)
Loughborough Grammar v Wisbech Grammar (pre-season)
Woodhouse Grove v Bishop Burton (pre-season)
Yarm v Durham
One of the North East’s great games takes place on Wednesday as Durham head to Yarm, two schools with proud histories and one to really look out for as there are hints that Durham could have a strong side this year.
There’s a great, and rare, Schools/ACE clash on Wednesday too as Woodhouse Grove, one of Yorkshire’s finest rugby schools, take on ACE College Bishop Burton College in a pre-season friendly. That will be worth a watch.
In the Midlands meanwhile there are friendlies between Loughborough Grammar and Wisbech Grammar, King’s Worcester and Hereford 6th form College, and a club fixture for Wellingborough, who take on Kettering RFC.
London has two big fixtures as Glyn, who have done brilliantly in recent times, head to City of London Freemen’s, and also one of the strongest inter state school fixtures on the calendar as Campion host Hayes, both have been absolutely fantastic in the last few years.
Over in Wales Cardiff and Vale College are hosting a pre-season triangular that may well see a few law adaptations along the way.
Thursday Fixtures
Bryanston v Bishop Wordsworth’s
Cathedral School, Llandaff v St Luke’s, Argentina (Tour)
Dundee High v Glenalmond College (Scottish Schools Cup)
Eastbourne College v Newman College
Thursday also sees action and big action too, not least at Eastbourne College where Esher President’s Cup winners Newman College are the visitors. Indications are that Newman College are not to be taken lightly here and a strong showing at Eastbourne would cement that. Equally, hopes are high for Eastbourne and the reverse would be true for them.
There is also a cracking game further west there Bryanston and Bishop Wordsworth’s go head to head in what ought to be a really well matched contest.
Over in Wales there is a real international flavour to things as Argentine tourists St Luke’s take on Cathedral School, Llandaff. That one should be a really special occasion.
As should Dundee High School v Glenalmond College in the Scottish Schools Cup, particularly in the wake of Dundee’s thrilling victory over Edinburgh Academy at the weekend.
The season proper is almost upon us, the excitement has just about reached fever pitch!
