There is still a busy midweek schedule ahead, but for the vast majority of schools this weekend represented the final game of the season, the last chance that Upper 6th players would have to wear the shirts.
Across the board they did themselves proud. The only disappointment was that torrential rain left a number of players unable to take the field as a result of cancellations due to waterlogged pitches.
That aside though, it was a magical weekend. A weekend that fulfilled everything that this season has promised – unpredictability, top quality rugby, and a sense of pure joy and adventure. It has been the most magical of seasons.
Ten to Watch
Our Ten to Watch epitomised that, and nowhere more so than at Rugby School, where they hosted the Barbarians in the first ever U18 fixtures for the famous club as the Bicentenary celebrations of the game came to a close in the most spectacular way. They took them on in two games, Girls in the morning and Boys in the afternoon and both were occasions that highlighted everything that was good in the game. In the Girls game, the first time the Rugby School girls had played a fixture all season, they came from 12-0 down to beat the Barbarians, who had been selected through Rachael Burford’s wonderful Girls Rugby Club, 14-12, a brilliant game in awful conditions.
In the Boys game the Barbarians also took a strong lead, 21-0. But Rugby School, showing the resolve that they have all season long, came storming back, twice, to take a 38-33 victory in a game that was as true to the spirit of the Barbarians as any game could be – including the use of ‘The Wall’! It was a stunning occasion on which we will reflect in detail at a later date. What’s for certain is that the genie is out of the bottle. The Barbarians must return at U18 level.
The weekend was bookended by live rugby, with the 16th Annual Modus Cup on Sunday rounding off the live coverage. RGS Worcester won at the death last year, to narrow the gap in terms of Modus Cup’s won to 8-7 in King’s Worcester’s favour. This year though, after a strong RGS start, King’s hit their straps in style. Putting in a stunning display for a 34-8 victory in front of nearly 4,000 spectators. Credit to RGS though, the game could have got out of sight but they put in a superb second half display to keep things in check – a real sign of the spirit and togetherness of the squad. Another utterly extraordinary schools rugby occasion.
Also extraordinary are Bromsgrove, who completed an unbeaten season, with will stretch to a Continental Tyres Schools Cup semi finals with fellow unbeaten side Kirkham Grammar next term, with a tight and tense 12-7 victory over Warwick. Warwick were superb, they have developed so much over the season, but the consistency of Bromsgrove has been utterly brilliant this year, a wonderful side.
Hurstpierpoint College have also been extraordinary this year, one of their greatest seasons. On Saturday they completed it in style, travelling to a strong Epsom College side and returning home with a 22-5 victory. Only two of the best in the country, unbeaten Harrow and Brighton College, have got the better of them, which is utterly outstanding. They deserve endless credit for their efforts this year.
So too do Ipswich, who had a bubble that had been building magnificently all year burst in midweek in a tough defeat to the exceptional Harrow. That defeat made Saturday at home to Whitgift a real test of character for this brilliant group of young players, and they showed that character by the bucketload with a fantastic performance to secure an excellent 33-10 victory over the Croydon side. They have had a season to have huge pride in, their best ever in truth, a wonderful group.
One of the best games of the weekend was the Kent Merit League final between Skinners’ and The Judd, the 101st meeting between the two, and one of the greatest ever. The game swayed this way and that in torrid conditions, with the hill and the wind being used to great effect. Skinners’ twice pulled out first half leads, but well worked tries saw The Judd take a 20-10 lead into half time, aided by points from the boot of England’s Angus Hall. However in the second half, ambitions play from Skinners’ saw them score and then add some penalties to close the gap. It was an epic contest, with both sides adding points to see The Judd leading 25-21. Skinners’ had one final chance, but a late turnover sealed the game for the Judd to close an extraordinary game in their favour – the very best of schools rugby. The 2nd XV was pretty decent too, Skinners’ winning 8-7 with a final play penalty.
One of the biggest statement of the Ten to Watch was from Haileybury, who hosted a St Albans side that have been wonderful this year and would have been looking at this as a chance to claim a big scalp. Haileybury were magnificent though, as they have been in large spells this season, sealing a 31-10 victory.
Stowe also finished the season on a high with a strong performance, hosting a Northampton School for Boys side that has had some excellent outings this season. Stowe were superb on Saturday, their first game in three weeks, securing a superb 29-19 victory.
Tonbridge and Seaford College have both had the most remarkable seasons. Some incredible performances and results, and some where they must have been thinking that the result was there for them. So it was no surprise on Saturday when the two played a really tight contest at Tonbridge, low-scoring in torrid conditions. Tonbridge came out on top, 12-3, but both sides must take huge credit for superb campaigns with some incredibly memorable moments.
Unfortunately those torrid conditions saw RGS Newcastle v Kirkham Grammar School cancelled, a real shame for both sides.
Bromsgrove 12-7 Warwick
Epsom College 5-22 Hurstpierpoint College
Haileybury 31-10 St Albans
Ipswich 33-10 Whitgift
King’s Worcester 34-8 RGS Worcester – LIVE on NextGenXV
RGS Newcastle v Kirkham GS – Cancelled
Rugby 38-33 Barbarians – LIVE on NextGenXV
Skinners’ 21-25 The Judd
Stowe 29-19 Northampton School for Boys
Tonbridge 12-3 Seaford College
Friday
Friday was a wonderful day, with some great games for sides to finish the terms efforts with. KES Birmingham actually have one more to go, but on Friday night they put in another of those performances that has had so many impressed by them, beating KES Five Ways 49-7.
Elsewhere there was a brilliant performance from Hereford Cathedral School in the battle of the Cathedral Schools, winning against a Cathedral School Llandaff side that played some good rugby too, 45-27. Meanwhile Chislehurst & Sidcup were sublime, wining 43-3 against St Olave’s.
Three games on Friday were decided by a whisker, St David’s College winning 19-17 at Stafford RFC against Stafford Grammar, while it was the same scoreline as Claremont beat St James. Meanwhile Colfe’s held of Bradford Grammar in a cracking game for both to sign off with, 14-10.
Friday Results
Bradford GS 10-14 Colfe’s
Cathedral School, Llandaff 27-45 Hereford Cathedral
Chislehurst & Sidcup GS 43-3 St Olave’s GS
Claremont 19-17 St James
KES Birmingham 49-7 KES Five Ways
Stafford GS 17-19 St David’s College
Saturday
All over the country this weekend just had so many wonderful games, great moments, and superb performances. One of the best was in Devon, where Blundell’s, who recently found out that they have a Continental Tyres Schools Cup quarter final on Monday, hosted Canford. Canford pulled off one of their best results of the season in a cracking game that finished up 17-16 in their favour. A terrific contest.
Meanwhile in Somerset, Kingswood finished of the year as they have been through most of the year, playing wonderful rugby. They beat Monkton Combe 46-12, it is a season that Kingswood will remember for a long time. Along the road KES Bath had a day to remember, a wonderful 45-0 victory over Prior Park College, while King’s Bruton will have enjoyed their day, winning 20-0 at home to Wells Cathedral. The Taunton derby meanwhile was Taunton School win a great contest at King’s College Taunton, 17-10, while Wellington School put in an excellent performance for a 31-7 victory over Clayesmore.
At Bristol Grammar School, Welsh visitors Monmouth had a point to prove and did so in sterling fashion for a 34-0 victory. Meanwhile at Pate’s Grammar there was a cracking game as Collegiate just edged it 24-20 to go through the regular season unbeaten. Travelling from Gloucester meanwhile were the superb King’s Gloucester, who met Malvern College and the two played out a brilliant game that ended in a 17-17 draw.
Wiltshire saw two superb performances, Radley College travelled from Oxfordshire to Marlborough College and put in a wonderful display to end the season on a high, 19-0. Meanwhile Warminster, who have been terrific this year, were on fire in a 66-12 victory over Queen’s College, Taunton. Travelling from the area to Hampshire were Dauntsey’s, who took on Lord Wandsworth College in a contest between two sides that have been playing superb rugby this year and returned with a 21-16 victory.
In Surrey, Cranleigh have been one of the stars of this latter half of the season and they were so again on Saturday as they rounded off the campaign with a brilliant 29-7 victory over RGS Guildford. Tiffin were also flying, winning 40-5 at Reigate Grammar, while at St George’s Weybridge there was a cracking game between two sides that have thrilled all season. Halliford were the visitors, and gave it everything, but St George’s edged the victory, 31-24.
In London, meanwhile, Emanuel were on form in a 24-5 victory over Wimbledon College, while St Columab’s College travelled in to face UCS and returned with a 10-7 victory. It was in South East London through where the big headlines were generated. In Croydon it was derby day as Trinity hosted John Fisher. Trinity have been in great form towards the end of the season and it showed on Saturday as they sealed a superb 17-3 victory. Meanwhile in Dulwich things were tight as Dulwich College hosted Berkhamsted. It was a brilliant contest, decided by the tiniest of margins, with Berkhamsted just edging it to finish the season on a winning note, 19-17.
Kent saw some great performances, Sevenoaks hosted Eltham College and secured a 27-5 victory, while King’s Canterbury, who have looked good of late, beat Sutton Valence 19-8. Gravesend Grammar meanwhile had a wonderful end to the season, beating Dartford Grammar 21-0 away from home.
Suffolk had a busy day, and some wonderful fixtures, not least at St Joseph’s College where they hosted Felsted. Both have had brilliant seasons and they put on a real show, with the hosts taking victory 29-17. Things were tight at Finborough too, where they beat Norwich 7-3, meanwhile Framlingham College won 24-8 over New Hall and Bishop’s Stortford College finished on a high at Royal Hospital School with a 35-7 victory. Culford hosted an absolute classic, with Wisbech Grammar School the visitors, and it was the away side that took the spoils but only after the most epic of contests, 29-28. Meanwhile in Cambridge The Perse beat RGS Colchester 20-7.
Hertfordshire saw another wonderful performance from Richard Hale, winning 32-17 over Haberdashers’ Elstree, while in Bedford we got treated to two great games. Bedford School won a thriller against Abingdon, a proper end of season finale, finishing up 36-24 to the home side. Meanwhile Bedford Modern put in a performance to be proud of, beating Mill Hill, who had only lost once previously, 18-13. Oakham were the only other side to beat Mill Hill, and they had to work oh so hard for victory in Northamptonshire on Saturday as they just held off Oundle, who have had a wonderful year, 11-10. Along the road Wellingborough finished in style, winning 48-16 over Kings Ely.
Jumping West to Windsor, Eton College bounced back from defeat last week to finish the season on the high that their season has deserved, beating a good Bishop Wordsworth’s side 34-5. In Reading, Reading Blue Coat finished in style with a 36-0 victory over Aylesbury Grammar, while Shiplake College won a tight contest 17-12 at Pangbourne College. Over in Oxfordshire Kingham Hill were 43-5 victors over Rendcombe College.
Moving North, Nottingham High School won a thriller to end their season in exciting fashion, beating Princethorpe College 24-21, while local rivals Trent College travelled to Worksop College are returned with a 34-13 victory. West to Staffordshire, where Denstone College ended the year in style against a strong Old Swinford Hospital side, winning 39-17.
Cheshire saw another fantastic performance from St Ambrose College, who hosted Manchester Grammar and secured a stunning 50-7 victory. Meanwhile Cheadle Hulme were also in form to end the season, winning 26-7 at Lymm High. Over on the Isle of Man King William’s College hosted King’s Rochester of Kent, and while the visitors threw everything at it, the hsots just won out, 20-14.
Across in Yorkshire, St Peter’s were fantastic, ending the season on a real high at Pocklington, 48-3. Meanwhile Grammar School at Leeds also travelled for their final game, heading to QEGS Wakefield and winning 25-5. Ampleforth College also finished in fine form, beating visitors Giggleswick 20-5 in the mud.
In Scotland George Watson’s College backed up their fantastic Cup title in midweek with a brilliant performance on Saturday, winning 65-5 at George Heriot’s. Merchiston Castle and Strathallan have pushed George Watson’s as much as anyone and had a top game on Saturday, Merchiston finning 26-12 with both sides missing players to the Barbarians.
So too were Fettes College, who won an absolute epic with Edinburgh Academy, 34-31, and there were similar scenes at North Berwick, where they beat Dundee High 29-27. Elsewhere, Marr College end on a high, 26-19 over Kelvinside Academy, and Glasgow Academy won a cracker against Queen Victoria, 12-10.
Saturday Results
Ampleforth College 20-5 Giggleswick
Bedford 36-24 Abingdon
Bedford Modern 18-13 Mill Hill
Blundell’s 16-17 Canford
Bristol GS 0-34 Monmouth
Culford 28-29 Wisbech GS
Dartford GS 0-21 Gravesend GS
Denstone College 39-17 Old Swinford Hospital
Dulwich College 17-19 Berkhamsted
Eton College 34-5 Bishop Wordsworth’s
Fettes College 34-31 Edinburgh Academy
Finborough 7-3 Norwich
Framlingham College 24-8 New Hall
George Heriot’s 5-65 George Watson’s College
Glasgow Academy 12-10 Queen Victoria
KES Bath 45-0 Prior Park College
Kingham Hill 43-5 Rendcomb College
King’s Bruton 20-0 Wells Cathedral
King’s Canterbury 19-8 Sutton Valence
King’s College, Taunton 10-17 Taunton School
King William’s College 20-14 King’s Rochester
Kingswood 46-12 Monkton Combe
Lord Wandsworth College 16-21 Dauntsey’s
Lymm HS 7-26 Cheadle Hulme
Malvern College 17-17 King’s Gloucester
Marlborough College 0-19 Radley College
Marr College 26-19 Kelvinside Academy
Merchiston Castle 26-12 Strathallan
North Berwick 29-27 Dundee HS
Nottingham HS 24-21 Princethorpe College
Oundle 10-11 Oakham
Pangbourne College 12-17 Shiplake College
Pate’s GS 20-24 Collegiate
Pocklington 3-48 St Peter’s, York
QEGS Wakefield 5-25 Grammar School at Leeds
Reading Blue Coat 36-0 Aylesbury GS
Reigate GS 5-40 Tiffin
RGS Guildford 7-29 Cranleigh
Richard Hale 32-17 Haberdashers’ Elstree
Royal Hospital School 7-35 Bishop’s Stortford College
Sevenoaks 27-5 Eltham College
St Ambrose College 50-7 Manchester GS
St George’s, Weybridge 31-24 Halliford
St Joseph’s College 29-17 Felsted
The Perse 20-7 RGS Colchester
Trinity 17-3 John Fisher
UCS 7-10 St Columba’s College
Warminster 66-12 Queen’s College, Taunton
Wellingborough 48-16 King’s Ely
Wellington 31-7 Clayesmore
Wimbledon College 5-24 Emanuel
Worksop College 13-34 Trent College
Still to Come:
Bancroft’s v QES Barnet
Glenalmond College v Morrison’s Academy
Hutchesons’ GS v Glasgow HS
KES Southampton v Embley
Merchant Taylors’ v Wirral GS
St Leonards v Robert Gordon’s College
