The start of the new season means the return of our Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend, five sides that stood out for us across the weekend’s action.
It is important to remember, it is not the best teams, just the five teams whose performances stood out for us over the weekend’s action. Naturally, it’s very subjective so we would love to hear about which sides impressed you too – do get in touch across our social media channels, all on the handle @nextgenxv
Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend (Week 1)
Clifton College
A fantastic start to the season for Clifton College, one of the top sides around over the last few years. They hosted the undisputed kings of the 2023/24 season, Harrow. Though both sides are very different and have many different personnel to last season, an opener against the previous campaign’s best side is a nervy and testing affair. It was a challenge Clifton College rose to though, winning 26-12 an earning some real momentum ahead of a very tough and competitive opening month of the season.
Cranleigh
An unusual start for Cranleigh in that they were playing in a triangular, therefore it still did have a bit of a pre-season element. Nevertheless, John Fisher were the hosts, one of the top rugby state schools around, and Eton College the other visitors, Eton have been one of the Top 10 sides in the country over the last couple. Cranleigh beat both, Eton relatively comfortably at 41-0, and didn’t concede a point all day. It confirmed what was first thought after a strong performance at the Hartpury College pre-season festival; this is a very exciting Cranleigh side.
Haileybury
Haileybury v Felsted is usually a very competitive fixture between two sides that consistently trouble the best around. On Saturday though, Haileybury were quite simply outstanding en route to a 43-6 victory. Of course with just the one game played it is hard to know the relative strengths of each team, but nevertheless it was an outstanding performance from the team. From one individual in particular too, skipper Fraser Rawlins. The England U18 international scored a staggering five tries. A man to watch, no doubt.
KES Bath
In our pre-season preview we mentioned that KES Bath looked as though they could have a promising season ahead of them, and if week one is anything to go by then, for once, we were absolutely right. They were outstanding against Bristol Grammar School as they built a fantastic 49-0 scoreline, a real statement with which to begin the season. Of course, like Haileybury, the caveats exist at this time of year of only having one game in which to gauge relative strength, but either way, it was a mighty opening performance.
Tonbridge
Tonbridge travelled to take on a Brighton College side that had not lost since October 2022 a tough task at any point in time, but Tonbridge have in that time not quite been the force of old either, so it looked like a very challenging opener for the Kent side. They did magnificently though, in two very different ways – first in building a 15-0 lead, then by hanging onto it, 15-12, in the face of relentless pressure in the closing stages from the hosts. A fantastic start to the year from Tonbridge, who will doubtless be eager for the upcoming challenges – not least local rivals The Judd this weekend, who have been a tricky customer in recent times.