It seems as though the 2023/24 Schools Rugby season is the season that keeps on giving as we were once again treated to a stunning weekend of action.
All over the country huge news stories were coming in, not least in one of our live games here on NextGenXV on Saturday as Ipswich hosted Sedbergh and claimed the biggest result in the school’s history in the most thrilling of games.
That was far from the only showstopping game over the weekend, a weekend that was full of derby games and intriguing storylines.
Ten to Watch
Our Ten to Watch certainly lived up to billing, and where else to start but in Suffolk, where Ipswich secured a seismic result in a 32-29 victory over Sedbergh. Those in the know have been aware of the rise of Ipswich School for some time, but on Saturday that rise was sending shockwaves around the world, one of the biggest names in school rugby had been vanquished by the new kids on the block – except they are no longer the new kids, Ipswich have a seat at the top table now. They got off to a great start, three tries up at the break and 32-10 up with the game drawing to a close, but then Sedbergh gave them a reminder of what schools rugby at this level is like as they came roaring back with a precision, pace, and accuracy that was fearsome to get within three. For one fleeting moment it looked as though they may complete the comeback, but Ipswich held out, and held out for a victory that says everything about where they now it. Right at the very top. You can relive it all again below, including the U16 game, where Sedbergh showed the depth of their quality with an impressive 52-0 victory.
Another school that is climbing high is Kingswood. In previous years not often seen in our Ten to Watch, but they have been off to such a start this year that it simply demanded their inclusion in this week’s Ten to Watch as they hosted Marlborough College. The Bath side lived up to the hype, taking down one of the most established names around in an utterly astonishing performance 57-5. Kingswood are playing outstanding rugby at the moment.
So too are Brighton College, who made it a clean sweep in September with another excellent display. Taking on one of the most dominant sides of the last couple of years, Trinity, they put in a display of huge quality once again for a 48-7 victory away from home. Brighton have started this season off in some style.
Our other live stream this weekend (see below) came at Rugby School where they secured their first victory of the season in a cracking game against the previously unbeaten Oundle, who gave it everything. Despite a few key missing players though, Rugby were on a mission and put in a fantastic display to claim the victory and get their season rolling ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Eton College, which will also be live.
Whitgift were back on song after a tough week as they travelled across the road to John Fisher for the biggest derby in UK schools rugby. It was a fantastic game, but Whitgift showed their quality to earn an impressive 38-18 victory and to keep their outstanding run of derby victories going. Another big derby in our Ten to Watch was the Wimbledon derby, the closest derby in the country. Wimbledon College were the hosts this year, but it was their neighbours KCS Wimbledon that took the honours, and in some style as well as they put on a fantastic display for a 31-0 victory.
Further south, Hurstpierpoint College had a brilliant weekend last time out, winning away at Whitgift, and they backed it up on Saturday with a fantastic 31-21 victory over RGS Guildford, who have had some excellent performances of their own this season. Equally as impressive were Bromsgrove, who hosted an Oakham side that were as full of confidence as their hosts, however Bromsgrove were absolutely on song. Putting together an excellent overall performance for a 34-17 victory.
Meanwhile in the North East of England came two huge Ten to Watch games, and two huge away performances. In recent times Barnard Castle have had the stronger seasons that QEGS Wakefield, but the Yorkshire side sent a huge message that this year it is they that have the upper hand, with a 20-10 victory at Barnard Castle that will send them into October absolutely flying. Over in Newcastle, at RGS Newcastle, Woodhouse Grove were demonstrating their class as well, heading north from Yorkshire and coming home with a 22-14 victory that should leave them feeling very happy indeed.
Ten to Watch Results
Barnard Castle 10-20 QEGS Wakefield
Bromsgrove 34-17 Oakham
Hurstpierpoint College 31-21 RGS Guildford
Ipswich 32-29 Sedbergh – LIVE on NextGenXV (Double Header with U16s)
John Fisher 18-38 Whitgift
Kingswood 57-5 Marlborough College
RGS Newcastle 14-22 Woodhouse Grove
Rugby 27-14 Oundle – LIVE on NextGenXV
Trinity 7-48 Brighton College
Wimbledon College 0-31 KCS Wimbledon
Friday
Friday saw some great fixtures, not lease Downside hosting Chilean side, St John’s. It was the Chileans that claimed the spoils on the field, 26-12, but it was all about the tremendous occasion in the South West. Meanwhile at Old Cryptians, The Crypt claimed victory against St Peter’s Gloucester, 29-19
In the North West, Kirkham Grammar School were on song again visitors from Belfast, Methodist College. It was a fantastic overall occasion and experience, but on the field Kirkham Grammar showed their utter quality with a fantastic 50-12 victory. Along the road in Sandbach, King’s Macclesfield were demonstrating theirs as well with a fantastic 46-5 victory that continues their unbeaten start to the season, while Cheadle Hulme were also flying, they were at Merchant Taylors’ and secured a superb 41-13 victory.
In the south east the remarkable start to the season from Mill Hill continued as they took on St Benedict’s and once again put in a startling performance for a 63-6 victory. The Saracens linked school are off to an absolutely stunning start to the season. Meanwhile the Midlands saw one of the games of the day as KES Birmingham and Solihull pushed each other all the way in a cracking game that saw Solihull just win out, 24-19.
Friday Results
Downside 12-26 St John’s, Chile
KES Birmingham 19-24 Solihull – at Bournville RFC
Kirkham GS 50-12 Methodist College, Belfast
Merchant Taylors’, Crosby 13-41 Cheadle Hulme
Sandbach 5-46 King’s Macclesfield
St Benedict’s 6-63 Mill Hill
The Crypt 29-19 St Peter’s, Gloucester – at Old Cryptians RFC
Saturday
Saturday was, as ever, a huge day of schools rugby, with quality in abundance right across the board. In the North West of England Lancaster RGS have been tearing up, and they were on fine form again on Saturday with a derby against Stonyhurst, which they secured victory in style at, 52-5 by full time. In equally fine form in the North West were AKS Lytham, who host Austin Friars at Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC and securing a brilliant 54-0 victory.
There were a couple of impressive away wins in the area, Wirral Grammar going well at The Grange, 28-0, while Scarsibrick Hall won 24-0 at Altrincham Grammar. Birkenhead meanwhile were 31-17 victors over Hutton Grammar at home.
Over in Yorkshire, Grammar School at Leeds continue to impress, they won 57-21 at home to St Ambrose College. While in a good old fashioned Yorkshire derby, Ampleforth College played excellently for a 17-0 victory over Hymers College. Further south, Trent College were on form in Nottinghamshire, winning 55-19 over Princethorpe College, while travelling from their to Denstone College were Nottingham High School, who beat the Denstone 2nd XV 29-10. Denstone College’s 1st XV were on strong form, beating a good Mount St Mary’s College side 27-13.
Meanwhile in Lincolnshire Stamford continue to set an impressive path this season, beating rivals Uppingham in a strong 46-13 performance.
In Bedfordshire, Eton College left many excited to see them LIVE at Rugby School on Tuesday with an impressive 36-12 victory at Bedford, while Bedford’s local rivals Bedford Modern, continued their impressive form with a 52-0 win at Wellingborough.
Hertfordshire saw Richard Hale continue to look good, they beat Brentwood 36-12, while Bishop’s Stortford High School hosted Merchant Taylors’ for a cracking game that just went in the visitors’ favour, 15-10.
Norwich and St Joseph’s College met at Cambridge RFC and put on a thriller, St Joseph’s just ending out Norwich 44-39 on an incredible occasion for schools rugby. Staying in Cambridgeshire, Wymondham College won 24-0 at Wisbech Grammar while in Suffolk Gresham’s travelled down from Norfolk to take on Royal Hospital School and showed once again just how impressive they are looking with a stunning 57-0 victory. The Leys were also in Suffolk, taking on Framlingham College and earning a very strong 38-0 victory.
In London there were some great game, Dulwich College hosted Wellington College and put in a really strong display. Wellington College are looking strong this year, and took a good 29-12 victory, but Dulwich will take heart in having challenged them so well. Hampton will be very happy with their Saturday after they hosted Cranleigh and got their most significant result of the season in a really tight game, winning 24-19.
In North London Coopers’ Coborn travelled in to take on QES Barnet and went home with a strong 69-5 victory, while in South West London Fulham Boys enjoyed a 31-0 victory over London Oratory 2nd XV, and Worth travelled in to face Emanuel and earned a strong 31-15 victory. Tiffin were sensational, earning a 40-0 victory over Gunnersbury that had plenty taking notice.
Langley Park hosted Australian tourists Daramalan, who were impressive in a 24-14 victory, while London Oratory won 36-14 at Latymer Upper. Meanwhile in the east and south east, Reed’s won a cracker at Campion, 21-19, a fantastic game, and St Olave’s Grammar won a fun game at The Cedars, 45-20.
Kent was the scene of many thrills, but perhaps none more so than in Sutton Valence, where they hosted a strong Finborough side and the two held each other to a spectacular 29-29 draw – keep a close eye on these two. Elsewhere, Sir Joseph Williamson’s were flying, winning 63-0 at Kent College, also impressive away from home were UCS, who won 45-19 at Colfe’s, while Ashford won 19-0 at Maidstone Grammar’s 2nd XV.
Also on fine away form, fine form as they have been all year, were The Judd, who won 29-3 at Dartford Grammar, while Ravens Wood also won away, 27-19 at Gravesend Grammar. Doing one for the home sides were Skinners’, who earned an impressive 34-8 victory over Chislehurst & Sidcup, while Cranbrook also won at home, in a really tight game with Duke of York’s Royal Military, 17-14.
In Sussex, Seaford College put in a fantastic performance, hosting Berkhamsted, who will be LIVE on NextGenXV this Wednesday against Denstone College, and sealing a very impressive 28-0 victory.Sevenoaks meanwhile won 20-7 at Christ’s Hospital.
Surrey saw Caterham again put in a brilliant display as they beat Eltham College 41-7, they are looking really strong. So too St George’s Weybridge, who were sensational against Reading Blue Coat for a 52-7 victory. Churcher’s College meanwhile travelled from the south to face Royal Alexandra & Albert and secured a strong 42-12 victory.
Travelling the other way were Gordon’s, who took on a Portsmouth Grammar School side that were absolutely on it with a 33-7 victory. Ryde meanwhile welcome Mount Kelly east and the two put on a real show, the hosts just winning 33-24.
Wiltshire saw two performances that really were sensational. Dauntsey’s have been brilliant all season but on Saturday they confirmed that brilliant start with a sparkling 59-5 display against KES Southampton. Warminster were meanwhile in sparkling form themselves, scoring some glorious tries en route to a 75-21 victory over Embley.
In Dorset, Millfield were looking good ahead of Saturday’s huge fixture against Wellington College, winning 38-14 against Sherborne, whose 4th XV played well but ultimately went down 43-28 along the road at Milton Abbey’s 1st XV. Over in Somerset, meanwhile, King’s Bruton hosted a triangular alongside Clifton College and Marlborough Colleges 3rd XVs, and came out on top after victories against both.
Into Devon, meanwhile, Exeter College enjoyed an impressive 33-5 victory over West Buckland, while Shebbear College won 35-0 over Mount Kelly’s 2nd XV.
Up in Bristol, there were three very impressive home performances, most notably Bristol Grammar, who won 51-0 against Wycliffe College. Collegiate meanwhile were on song to beat Taunton 26-10, while Clifton College were excellent against Christ College from Wales, winning 28-0.
Over in Wales two sides travelled from Gloucestershire and came home with victories, King’s Gloucester winning 27-5 at Cathedral School Llandaff, and Sir Thomas Rich’s winning 17-8 at Monmouth. Over in Gloucestershire, Dean Close were flying, a stunning 64-11 victory over RGS Worcester. Things were no less impressive at Cheltenham College though, they faced a strong Abingdon side and yet dug in for an ultimately very strong 27-6 victory. QEH meanwhile travelled to Pate’s Grammar and won 29-10.
On the Welsh border, Hereford Cathedral won 31-10 at Oswestry, while into Warwickshire and Worcestershire, Warwick won a thrilling contest against Samuel Whitbread, a really top encounter, 17-15, while their 2nd XV went down 38-17 to a strong Magdalen College performance. King’s Worcester meanwhile held off Loughborough Grammar for a 17-10 victory.
Coventry saw Leicester Grammar find the right path again, beating a slightly depleted Bablake side 19-14 away from home. Meanwhile Oxfordshire saw a great game as St Paul’s travelled to Radley College for one of the oldest fixtures in school rugby. It could have gone either way, but the hosts just edged it, 15-14. Reading saw The Oratory just about hold off a cracking Bishop Wordsworth’s performance, a contest that could have gone either way but the home side just won 21-19. Meanwhile Aylesbury Grammar travelled to Windsor to take on Windsor Boys’ and sealed a 29-0 away victory.
Way north and into Scotland, Strathallan gave George Watson’s College their biggest test of the season and were absolute fantastic, holding the Scottish pace setters to a 14-14 draw. Elsewhere it was close at Queen Victoria, they held of Hutchesons’ for a 26-24 victory, meanwhile at Bell Baxter, Dundee High School for a good contest 36-21.
There were three big home performances, Loretto beating Robert Gordon’s 47-14 and Marr College winning 57-14 against Glasgow Academy, perhaps the most impressive though was Stewart Melville’s 42-5 victory over Edinburgh Academy. Merchiston Castle landed a heavy blow for the away side though in a sensational performance at Dollar Academy, winning 55-5 to put down a real marker.
Saturday Results
AKS Lytham 54-0 Austin Friars – at Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC
Altrincham GS 0-24 Scarisbrick Hall
Ampleforth College 17-0 Hymers College
Bablake 14-19 Leicester GS
Bedford 12-36 Eton College
Bell Baxter 21-36 Dundee HS
Birkenhead 31-17 Hutton GS
Bishop’s Stortford HS 10-15 Merchant Taylors’, Northwood
Bristol GS 51-0 Wycliffe College
Campion 19-21 Reed’s
Caterham 41-7 Eltham College
Cathedral School, Llandaff 5-27 King’s Gloucester
Cedars 20-45 St Olave’s GS
Cheltenham College 27-6 Abingdon
Christ’s Hospital 7-20 Sevenoaks
Clifton College 28-0 Christ College
Colfe’s 19-45 UCS
Collegiate 26-10 Taunton
Cranbrook 17-14 Duke of York’s Royal Military
Dartford GS 3-29 The Judd
Dauntsey’s 59-5 KES Southampton
Dean Close 64-11 RGS Worcester
Denstone College 27-13 Mount St Mary’s College
Denstone College 2nd XV 10-29 Nottingham HS
Dollar Academy 5-55 Merchiston Castle
Dulwich College 12-29 Wellington College
Emanuel 15-31 Worth
Epsom College 31-13 St John’s, Leatherhead
Exeter School 33-5 West Buckland
Framlingham College 0-38 The Leys
Fulham Boys 31-0 London Oratory 2nd XV
Grammar School at Leeds 57-21 St Ambrose College
Gravesend GS 19-27 Ravens Wood
Hampton 24-19 Cranleigh
Kent College 0-63 Sir Joseph Williamson’s
King’s Bruton Triangular: Won by King’s Bruton
King’s Worcester 17-10 Loughborough GS
Lancaster RGS 52-5 Stonyhurst
Langley Park 14-24 Daramalan, Australia
Latymer Upper 14-36 London Oratory
Loretto 47-14 Robert Gordon’s College
Maidstone GS 2nd XV 0-19 Ashford
Marr College 57-14 Glasgow Academy
Milton Abbey 43-28 Sherborne 4th XV
Monmouth 8-17 Sir Thomas Rich’s
Norwich 39-44 St Joseph’s College
Oswestry 10-31 Hereford Cathedral
Pate’s GS 10-29 QEH
Portsmouth GS 33-7 Gordon’s
QES Barnet 5-69 Coopers’ Coborn
Queen Victoria 26-24 Hutchesons’ GS
Radley College 15-14 St Paul’s
Richard Hale 36-12 Brentwood
Royal Alexandra & Albert 12-42 Churcher’s College
Royal Hospital School 0-57 Gresham’s
Ryde 33-24 Mount Kelly
Seaford College 28-0 Berkhamsted
Shebbear College 35-0 Mount Kelly 2nd XV
Sherborne 14-38 Millfield
Skinners’ 34-8 Chislehurst & Sidcup GS
St George’s College, Weybridge 52-7 Reading Blue Coat
Stamford 46-13 Uppingham
Stewart’s Melville 42-5 Edinburgh Academy
Strathallan 14-14 George Watson’s College
Sutton Valence 29-29 Finborough
The Grange 0-28 Wirral GS
The Oratory 21-19 Bishop Wordsworth’s
Tiffin 40-0 Gunnersbury
Trent College 55-19 Princethorpe College
Warminster 75-21 Embley
Warwick 17-15 Samuel Whitbread Academy
Warwick 2nd XV 17-38 Magdalen College
Wellingborough 0-52 Bedford Modern
Windsor Boys’ 0-29 Aylesbury GS
Wisbech GS 0-24 Wymondham College
