This weekend was a huge one in the schools rugby arena as some of the biggest competitions of the term kicked off.
There was fifteen-a-side, ten-a-side, and seven-a-side action as the build-up towards March’s huge season finales began.
Among it all, some of the season’s big contenders put their hands up with some statements performances, not least at the LIVE Seaford Southern Tens, which you can relive again below, and read about in detail here: Seaford Southern Tens.
Saturday
There was some action on Friday but the results are yet to come through, however on Saturday the day was packed.
In Yorkshire things were particularly busy as Pocklington hosted their annual Tens competitions. It was a fiercely competitive afternoon, with the likes of Ampleforth College, Bradford Grammar, and Scarborough College all competing. It was Mount St Mary’s College, RGS Newcastle, and Grammar School at Leeds that shone particularly, with GSAL finishing in third, RGS in second, and Mount St Mary’s continuing their sparkling recent form to take the title.
Over in the North West there was plenty of action, Manchester Grammar were excellent at Birkenhead, winning 24-15, while Scarisbrick Hall were also in top good nick away from home, winning 12-3 at Bolton.
Recently crowned County Champions, King’s Macclesfield, were in fine form again, winning 45-7 at St Anselm’s College, while Lancaster RGS picked up a superb away win against the County Cup finalists St Ambrose College, 17-14. At U17 level, Kirkham Grammar were excellent, as always, winning 45-5 at Liverpool College.
Scotland saw some big action this weekend, not least an utterly stunning performance from Stewart’s Melville, who won by a staggering 54-7 margin at Merchiston Castle. Gordonstoun had a good outing at home to Howe of Fife, winning 28-0, while there was an epic draw between George Heriot’s and Glasgow High, 21-21. Robert Gordon’s College were flying, winning 65-7 at club side Perthshire RFC.
George Watson’s College also had an impressive away victory, beating Dollar Academy 40-17, while Edinburgh Academy were also in strong away form with a 36-17 victory at Glasgow Academy.
Back in England and the Midlands, where were some terrific performances, not least a brilliant game and a super victory for Warwick at home to Sir Thomas Rich’s, 40-28. Old Winford Hospital were also outstanding, winning 40-10 at Loughborough Grammar.
In the South East Whitgift were in top form, securing an excellent victory in a great game at Hampton, 45-23. Mill Hill and Sir Joseph Williamson’s drew 5-5, while there was a thriller at Tiffin too, where St George’s Harpenden won 31-25. Over in Surrey, Brighton College’s 2nd XV won 36-22 against a Gordon’s Development side, while elsewhere The Cedars won 42-29 over Harrodian.
Saturday Results
Birkenhead 15-24 Manchester GS
Bolton 3-12 Scarisbrick Hall
Dollar Academy 17-40 George Watson’s College
George Heriot’s 21-21 Glasgow HS
Glasgow Academy 17-36 Edinburgh Academy
Gordon’s 22-36 Brighton College 2nd XV
Gordonstoun 28-0 Howe of Fife
Hampton 23-45 Whitgift
Hutchesons’ GS 21-56 Queen Victoria
Liverpool College U17 5-45 Kirkham GS U17
Loughborough GS 10-40 Old Swinford Hospital
Merchiston Castle 7-54 Stewart’s Melville
Mill Hill 5-5 Sir Joseph Williamson’s
Perthshire RFC 7-65 Robert Gordon’s College
Pocklington 10s: Mount St Mary’s, Champions
St Ambrose College 14-17 Lancaster RGS
St Anselm’s College 7-45 King’s Macclesfield
The Cedars 42-29 Harrodian
Tiffin 25-31 St George’s, Harpenden
Warwick 40-28 Sir Thomas Rich’s
Sunday
Sunday was all about shortened format games, and in particular the huge Seaford Southern Tens, which you can read about in more detail here: Seaford Southern Tens. It was a brilliant day of rugby, in glorious January sunshine, with the superb Ipswich School finishing at the top of the pile after some magnificent displays and some dogged ones too, with the likes of hosts Seaford College, Dulwich College, and finalists RGS High Wycombe also impressing greatly.
There was 7s on Sunday too as Millfield hosted their annual 7s, with the likes of Downside, King’s Bruton, Taunton School, Monkton Combe, Prior Park College, and King’s College Taunton in attendance. It was Blundell’s that claimed the big headlines though, thanks to a brilliant return of five victories from five games on the day.
Sunday Results
Millfield 7s: Blundell’s, 5/5
Seaford Southern Tens – Ipswich School, Champions
Still to Come:
Dundee HS v Morrison’s Academy
KES Birmingham v Bromsgrove U17
Reading Blue Coat v Bishop Wordsworth’s
Simon Langton GS v Cranbrook
