It has been another busy week in the world of schools rugby as half term bears down upon us at a rate of knots.
There was action across Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, including two LIVE games here on NextGenXV.
Schools Rugby Midweek Roundup
Continental Tyres Schools Cup
There was some fantastic action in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup. North A saw Woodhouse Grove progress in style with a brilliant 41-11 performance at home against Lancaster RGS to send them into the Regional Finals again St Peter’s York.
North B meanwhile was as tense as anything as Barnard Castle and King’s Macclesfield held each other to a 17-17 draw. That meant heartbreak for someone, and it would be Barnard Castle that suffered it as King’s Macclesfield progressed as the away side. They will host Kirkham Grammar in the regional final after they put in a brilliant performance at QEGS Wakefield for a 35-5 victory.
Over in Midlands A Radley College had already booked their place with victory over Bloxham last week and on Tuesday they had it confirmed that they would travel to Stowe for the regional final after the Buckinghamshire side won an absolute epic against Berkhamsted, 29-26.
Midlands B saw our LIVE game from this round as Haileybury hosted Stamford on Tuesday in a repeat of their game at the StoneX a few weeks ago. It went the same way this time with a fantastic performance from Stamford, at a venue they have found tough, securing a 36-15 victory and a place in the regional final against either Northampton School for Boys or Bromsgrove, who meet next week.
London & South East A’s action is all next week, but in London & South East B Harrow progress to the regional final after continuing their unbeaten start to the season with a 47-22 display against RGS Guildford. They will host either Hampton or Hurstpierpoint College in the regional final after half term, those two meet next week.
Over in South West B Monmouth became the first side to topple Kingswood this year and did so in a fantastic contest at Kingswood on Tuesday, winning 20-17. They will travel to Blundell’s for the regional final after last year’s semi finalists secured a 25-10 victory at home to Taunton School.
In South West B the continually impressive RGS High Wycombe travelled down to Bishop Wordsworth’s on Wednesday and sealed another impressive victory, winning 24-0 to set up a regional final at home against last year’s quarter finalists, Marlborough College, who had a bye.
North A
Woodhouse Grove 41-11 Lancaster RGS (Wednesday)
St Peter’s York v Bye
North B
Barnard Castle 17-17 King’s Macclesfield (Wednesday)
QEGS Wakefield 5-35 Kirkham Grammar (Wednesday)
Midlands A
Stowe 29-26 Berkhamsted (Tuesday)
Bloxham 19-35 Radley College
Midlands B
Northampton School for Boys v Bromsgrove (Wednesday 18th)
Haileybury 15-36 Stamford (Tuesday) – LIVE on NextGenXV
London & South East A
Ipswich v Dulwich College (Tuesday 17th)
The Judd v Epsom College (Wednesday 18th)
London & South East B
Harrow 47-22 RGS Guildford (Tuesday)
Hampton v Hurstpierpoint College (Wednesday 18th)
South West A
Blundell’s 25-10 Taunton (Wednesday)
Kingswood 17-20 Monmouth (Tuesday)
Blundell’s v Monmouth
South West B
Bishop Wordsworth’s 0-24 RGS High Wycombe (Wednesday)
Marlborough College v Bye
RGS High Wycombe v Marlborough College
Continental Tyres Schools Plate
Over in the Plate there was action as well. Cheadle Hulme booked their North A regional final against Stonyhurst with a thrilling and impressive 25-24 away win at RGS Newcastle. North B saw Stockport Grammar and Liverpool College go head to head for the chance to host Grammar School at Leeds in the regional final but that result is yet to come through.
The Midlands A action takes place after half term, so too Solihull v Sir Thomas Rich’s in Midlands B, but they know that the winner will host last year’s Cup champions Oakham after they won a tense one 19-17 at Bedford on Wednesday.
London & South East A takes place after half term, so too Newman College v St Benedict’s in London & South East B, the winner will host KCS Wimbledon in the regional final after their outstanding 47-5 victory at New Hall.
In South West A King’s Taunton won a tight one at home to Sherborne on Wednesday, winning 19-17, they will host either Bristol Grammar or Collegiate. Meanwhile in South West B Abingdon won an absolute cracker at home to Canford, 36-24, to book their regional final at home to Caterham, who had a bye.
North A
RGS Newcastle 24-25 Cheadle Hulme (Wednesday)
Stonyhurst v Bye
North B
Stockport GS v Liverpool College (Wednesday)
GSAL v Bye
Midlands A
Uppingham v Warwick (Wednesday 8th November)
Bye v Bye
Midlands B
Solihull v Sir Thomas Rich’s (Wednesday 18th)
Bedford 17-19 Oakham (Wednesday)
London & South East A
Campion v John Fisher (Saturday 11th November)
Whitgift v Trinity (Wednesday 1st November)
London & South East B
Newman College v St Benedict’s (TBC)
New Hall 5-47 KCS Wimbledon (Tuesday)
South West A
King’s College Taunton 19-17 Sherborne (Wednesday)
Bristol GS v Collegiate (Saturday 11th November)
South West B
Abingdon 36-24 Canford (Thursday)
Caterham v Bye
Around the Grounds
Tuesday
Tuesday saw the NextGenXV LIVE cameras return to Rugby School were the hosts put in a strong performance against one of the top few teams in the country, Ipswich School, in the first half. Come the second half though Ipswich showed the class that has seen them beat the likes of Sedbergh and sets them on course for an unbeaten opening half of term if they can beat Dulwich in the Cup next week. It finished up 45-19, a strong showing from both at times, but Ipswich are simply outstanding at the moment.
There were a couple of Bowl games on Tuesday, with Wymondham College beating Framlingham College 14-10 and another tight one at Princethopre College, where they beat KES Lichfield 14-7. Meanwhile outside of the Bowl Parmiter’s beat Rickmansworth 22-5.
In Scotland George Watson’s College continue to look nigh on unstoppable as they took on Marr College and once again put on a performance of real quality for a 66-5 victory. Meanwhile Morrison’s Academy also impressed, beating Gordonstoun 24-5.
Tuesday Results
George Watson’s College 66-5 Marr College
Morrison’s Academy 24-5 Gordonstoun
Parmiter’s 22-5 Rickmansworth
Princethorpe College 14-7 KES Lichfield (Bowl)
Rugby 19-45 Ipswich – LIVE on NextGenXV
Wymondham College 14-10 Framlingham College (Bowl)
Wednesday
Wednesday saw the Vase action really kick into gear, and Durham are surely a side to watch in that competition, they impressed again in a 47-12 victory over Harrogate Grammar. Also in the North, Dame Allan’s won a fantastic tie at Scarborough College 38-20, while in Manchester Grammar things were ever more thrilling as they defeated Braford Grammar 48-34.
St Ambrose College look about as threatening as Durham, winning 47-0 against former Cup semi finalists Lymm High, while St Anselm’s College won a tight one at home to Scarisbrick Hall 22-20 and AKS Lytham progressed with a 34-7 victory over Runshaw College.
Further South, one of the performances of the round came from St Edward’s Oxford, who beat Aylesbury Grammar 63-0. You can watch Teddies face Oundle on Saturday LIVE here on NextGenXV.
Elsewhere in the Midlands King’s Worcester were on form with a 23-7 victory over KES Birmingham, while Wrekin College won a tight one over Newcastle-Under-Lyme, 24-22. It was tight at Reading Blue Coat too, where The Oratory claimed a 24-19 victory.
St Albans continue to impress, they earned a 31-6 victory at St George’s Harpenden, while Mill Hill had to work for a 15-10 victory at UCS. Watford Grammar also came through a tight one, 22-17 at home to Haberdashers’ Elstree, and things were tight and low scoring at St John’s Leatherhead too, they beat St Andrew’s 5-0.
Not too far away there was derby victory for St George’s Weybridge, beating Reed’s 27-19 while to the East Ravens Wood won 34-15 at Dunottar, a report from which you can see here, and Eastbourne College showed their quality with a 33-8 victory over Gravesend Grammar.
Lord Wandsworth College were outstanding on Wednesday, beating KES Southampton 52-12 away from home, while Wellington School were similarly impressive, hosting QEH and winning 50-10.
Over in the Bowl Sutton Valence were flying, 64-3 over Cranbrook, while Maidstone Grammar were also impressive in a 45-7 victory over Ashford, likewise Portsmouth Grammar, who won 50-10 at Brockenhurst College, and London Oratory, stunning 52-7 victors at Saint Ceclia’s.
Arguably the game of the day was at Yarm, where Pocklington won a classic 36-26. Things were tight at Calday Grange too as they held off Merchant Taylors’ for a 15-10 victory. Nottingham High had a similarly tight one, 17-13 over Birkdale, likewise KES Five Ways, who won 19-17 at Hereford Cathedral.
Elsewhere, City of London Freemen’s impressed in a 37-17 victory over Christ’s Hospital, while Brentwood looked good for a 33-17 victory over Southend High and King Alfred’s won 19-7 at Sir Henry Floyd’s.
Outside of the knockouts there were some stellar performances, notably in Scotland where Dollar Academy won 67-5 over Glenalmond College, they are looking red hot ahead of the Merchiston Festival this weekend. Glasgow High were similarly impressive, 62-5 winners over St Columba’s.
In England, Ashville Harrogate won 38-14 at home to Hymers College, while further south Solihull were outstanding against Cokethorpe for a 52-12 victory. Not too far away KES Aston won 17-5 at home to KES Camp Hill, while Hereford 6th form College won 36-0 at Bishop Vesey’s.
Staffordshire was a big game as Denstone College hosted Hartpury College Bulls, who won 33-17, meanwhile in Suffolk St Joseph’s College won an epic contest with Henley College, 19-17.
Elsewhere, Reddam House won 43-14 over LVS Ascot, with Salesian beating St James’ 28-0 and Sibford winning a tight one over St Edward’s, 18-16.
Hayes put in an epic performance at home to Colfe’s, while Bennet Memorial were similarly impressive at Oakwood Park, winning 43-7. Over in Surrey there was a really top game as George Abbot held of Howard of Effingham 15-14.
Dorset saw a 45-12 victory for Claremont over Wilson’s, while elsewhere Ryde won 45-21 over Queen Mary’s College. In the South West Cleeve won 26-15 at Cheltenham Bournside, with Rendcomb College winning a cracker at Bredon, 38-29.
Wednesday Fixtures
AKS Lytham 34-7 Runshaw College (Vase)
Ashville Harrogate 38-14 Hymers College
Bishop Vesey’s GS 0-36 Hereford 6th form College
Bredon 29-38 Rendcomb College
Brentwood 33-17 Southend HS (Bowl)
Brockenhurst College 10-50 Portsmouth GS (Bowl)
Calday Grange GS 15-10 Merchant Taylors’ (Bowl)
Cheltenham Bournside 15-26 Cleeve
City of London Freemen’s 37-17 Christ’s Hospital (Bowl)
Claremont 45-12 Wilson’s
Denstone College 17-33 Hartpury College Bulls
Dollar Academy 67-5 Glenalmond College
Dunottar 15-34 Ravens Wood (Vase)
Durham 47-12 Harrogate GS (Vase)
George Abbot 15-14 Howard of Effingham
Glasgow HS 62-5 St Columba’s
Gravesend GS 8-33 Eastbourne College (Vase)
Hayes 55-7 Colfe’s
Hereford Cathedral 12-19 KES Five Ways (Bowl)
KES Aston 17-5 KES Camp Hill
KES Southampton 12-52 Lord Wandsworth College (Vase)
King’s Worcester 23-7 KES Birmingham (Vase)
Maidstone GS 45-7 Ashford (Bowl)
Manchester GS 48-34 Bradford GS (Vase)
Nottingham HS 17-13 Birkdale (Bowl)
Oakwood Park GS 7-43 Bennett Memorial
Reading Blue Coat 19-24 The Oratory (Vase)
Reddam House 43-14 LVS Ascot
Ryde 45-21 Queen Mary’s College
Saint Cecilia’s 7-52 London Oratory (Bowl)
Salesian 28-0 St James’
Scarborough College 20-38 Dame Allan’s (Vase)
Sibford 18-16 St Edward’s, Cheltenham
Sir Henry Floyd GS 7-19 King Alfred’s Academy (Bowl)
Solihull 52-12 Cokethorpe
St Ambrose College 47-0 Lymm HS (Vase)
St Anselm’s College 22-20 Scarisbrick Hall (Vase)
St Edward’s, Oxford 63-10 Aylesbury GS (Vase)
St George’s, Harpenden 6-31 St Albans (Vase)
St George’s Weybridge 27-19 Reed’s (Vase)
St John’s, Leatherhead 5-0 St Andrew’s (Vase)
St Joseph’s College 19-17 Henley College
Sutton Valence 64-3 Cranbrook (Bowl)
UCS 10-15 Mill Hill (Vase)
Watford GS 22-17 Haberdashers’ Elstree (Vase)
Wellington School 50-10 QEH (Vase)
Wrekin College 24-22 Newcastle-Under-Lyme (Vase)
Yarm 26-36 Pocklington (Bowl)
Thursday
Thursday had some big action, including three Vase games. Dauntsey’s are tearing up trees at the moment and were sensational again at Monkton Combe to progress with a 60-13 victory. Gresham’s join them after a 17-14 victory over RGS Colchester, meanwhile Trent College progressed after a cracking game, 30-24 at home to Hill House.
Over in the Bowl, Richard Hale were outstanding at Bishop’s Stortford College for a 41-5 victory, while Prince Henry’s Grammar won a fantastic game at home against Ampleforth College, 21-19.
Outside of the knockouts the impressive 2023/24 season from Hurstpierpoint College continues after they claimed another major scalp, and in some style, beating Cranleigh 27-0 in testing conditions.
Eton College’s remarkable unbeaten season continues after another fantastic victory, this time winning 31-7 at a Radley College. Elsewhere Bryanston impressed, 33-14 at King’s Bruton, and In Scotland Loretto won by an impressive 42-26 margin over Fettes College.
Thursday Fixtures
Bishop’s Stortford College 5-41 Richard Hale (Bowl)
Hurstpierpoint College 27-0 Cranleigh
King’s Bruton 14-33 Bryanston
Loretto 42-26 Fettes College
Monkton Combe 13-60 Dauntsey’s (Vase)
Prince Henry’s GS 21-19 Ampleforth College (Bowl)
Radley College 7-31 Eton College
RGS Colchester 14-17 Gresham’s (Vase)
Sidcot 17-5 Sherborne 4th XV
Trent College 30-24 Hill House (Vase)
Still to Come
Balcarras v Chipping Campden
Bournemouth v Bournemouth Collegiate
Burford v Farmor’s
Canterbury Academy v Trinity Sevenoaks
Caterham 3rd XV v Lingfield College
Glyn 2nd XV v Ewell Castle
Kelvinside Academy v Hutchesons’ GS
Reading v Holyport
Samuel Whitbread v Newman College
Stockport GS v Liverpool College (Plate)
Woodbridge v Farlingaye
