Close games have been a feature of the 2024/25 season so far and so it proved again this weekend on another fantastic weekend of schools rugby.
The rain began to come down and made conditions tougher for many, but the standard of rugby on show was still outstanding.
Not least at Wellington College for our live game this weekend, where they hosted last year’s undisputed champions Harrow. You can check out the highlights below.
With some incredible contests on Friday night, including two epic draws in our Ten to Watch, to thrilling games on Saturday, it was a weekend to remember. Indeed it has been an start to the season to remember. It takes about three weeks usually just to get an indication of the lay of the land, and after three weeks of this season that is certainly the case – and the main takeaway is, things are incredibly tight.
Ten to Watch
That was as true in our Ten to Watch as anywhere else. As mentioned, Friday night saw two epic draws. Oakham and Woodhouse Grove met in Loughborough in a real festival of sport with the U12s and Netball also going on. It was a fantastic occasion, and the 1st XV fixture added to it, a brilliant contest as these two held each other to a 15-15 draw. A strong performance from both, one that will have both feeling good heading into later challenges.
At the same time there was another game between two legends of the school game as Stonyhurst and Barnard Castle met. Early signs this year are that Stonyhurst are playing some of their best stuff for a while and that certainly seemed to the case on Friday as they held a strong Barnard Castle group to a 13-13 draw, another epic.
On Saturday there were no draws, but there was no shortage of tight games. Staying in the North of the country two more greats of schools rugby history met, QEGS Wakefield and St Peter’s York. Both have been good early on this year, and they could barely be separated as QEGS just edged this fantastic encounter 13-12.
It was that same score at Bromsgrove on Saturday, but it was the visitors in this one, Berkhamsted, that took the 13-12 victory. Bromsgrove have started the season superbly, so it says plenty about this Berkhamsted side that they managed to return home triumphant from this one, a huge momentum builder ahead of the challenges to come.
One of the key early pace-setters this season have been Cranleigh, they have been named in our Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend in both weeks. On Saturday they met their greatest challenge so far, travelling to take on a Seaford College side that is looking very handy indeed. That Cranleigh momentum and confidence was in evidence as they took an impressive 22-7 lead, but from there Seaford dug in. The hosts showed real spirit and determination to claw back to 22-21, but this Cranleigh side has guts to go with their skill too and despite the swing in momentum they found a way to work another score and secure a 27-21 victory. Both sides will come away from it feeling very positive.
Things were tight at Hampton too, where they hosted an RGS High Wycombe side that many are excited about. After Saturday, many will be excited about both. RGS took the victory, 21-17, capping a superb start to the season as they gear up for the St Joseph’s Festival, but in running them so close Hampton will also feel that they have plenty to look forward to. Keep an eye on both in the coming weeks.
Keep an eye on Stamford too, on a weekend where the entire team shaved their heads as part of a fundraising effort for Breast Cancer Research following the diagnosis of the wife of one of their coaches. On the field they have been magnificent so far this year, but off it they are excelling too, already raising nearly £5,000 and you can help them get to that mark by visiting their fundraising page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fwaphx-support-for-breast-cancer. Saturday saw them visit and in form Uppingham side, who have been looking really good in the last couple of weeks. Stamford have been looking superb though and with a little extra inspiration they were brilliant on Saturday, winning 31-12 away from home despite the game being called early due to the weather.
Also looking good are Brighton College, who travelled to Dulwich College on Saturday. It was arguably Dulwich’s strongest performance of the season so far, really pushing Brighton College hard. However this is a top quality Brighton College side that seems to be full of determination. They rose to the test and showed some real quality and determination as they sealed a 27-17 victory.
The only game in the Ten to Watch that was not a close one was a magnificent performance from Northampton School for Boys against King’s Macclesfield. These two consistently punch so far above their supposed weight, but on Saturday it was NSB that were absolutely flying en route to a 55-5 victory. A week on from their victory over Ipswich, Northampton School for Boys are looking very good indeed – every inch the side that has produced countless big moments in the Cup at U18 and U15 level over the last decade. A brilliant display, keep an eye on NSB.
So to our live game, Wellington College v Harrow. Two absolute giants of school rugby, hosts Wellington College with a historical record that makes them the envy of most schools in the world, Harrow the best side in the country for the last two years. It was an epic contest, tight, highly skilled, and in the balance throughout. Twice Harrow were behind, twice they came back, then Inigo Langford, who has been sensational so far this year, pulled Wellington College back in front. Again Harrow looked to come back and, as the game moved into the final play, they got across the line. Across the line, but not on the ground, Wellington College had somehow managed to get under it, holding the ball up to secure a 22-15 victory. A huge result, a colossal tussle between two genuinely excellent teams. You can see the highlights of the game below, or relieve the whole game in all its glory on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel.
Ten to Watch Results
Bromsgrove 12-13 Berkhamsted
Dulwich College 17-27 Brighton College
Hampton 17-21 RGS High Wycombe
Northampton School for Boys 55-5 King’s Macclesfield
QEGS Wakefield 13-12 St Peter’s, York
Seaford College 21-27 Cranleigh
Stonyhurst 13-13 Barnard Castle
Uppingham 12-31 Stamford
Wellington College 22-15 Harrow – LIVE
Woodhouse Grove 15-15 Oakham
Friday 20th September
As mentioned in the buildup to the weekend, it was a particularly busy Friday as many schools had a leave/exeat weekend on the Saturday. One side using the Friday night slot as part of a celebration were Eastbourne College, who are celebrating 125 years of rugby this year. They hosted City of London Freemen’s and put in a performance worthy of the celebratory atmosphere, securing a 43-5 victory that will live long in the memory.
It was a busy evening in the South East particularly, and one of the key clashes saw St Benedict’s host St Albans. The rise of St Albans has been superb in the last few years, but on Friday it was St Benedict’s that came out on top in a fantastic encounter, winning 24-21 in a tension ridden epic.
Elsewhere in the South East, Trinity had their best outing of the season as they secured a 41-7 victory over Langley Park, while it was a similar story for Hayes, who were 40-12 victors at home to Sevenoaks. Worth, meanwhile, have been excellent so far this season and were so again on Friday when they travelled to The Cedars and returned with a brilliant 55-0 victory.
One of the weekend’s greatest games was at Lord Wandsworth College, where St George’s College Weybridge were the visitors in a game for the ages on the Wilkinson field. It was a mighty tussle, with points flying in from all corners. It could have gone either way, but it was the visitors, St George’s, that emerged victorious, 36-33, a game that both sides will remember for a very long time.
Over in Reading, Bishop Wordsworth’s had a fantastic performance away to Reading Blue Coat, returning home with a 29-8 victory, while St Joseph’s College Reading were on song at home to Reddam House, winning 44-15.
There was a fantastic game in Bedfordshire are Bedford Modern hosted Samuel Whitbread Academy. Both sides played superbly well in a fantastic encounter, a game that truly could have gone either way, but it was the visitors that just edged it, 24-23. Across at Bishop’s Stortford College the hosts had a strong performance against a spirited King’s Ely side, winning 41-26.
Up in Scotland there was a cracker between two beasts of Scottish rugby, Stewart’s Melville and Loretto threw everything at each other in a classic. It was hosts Stewart’s Melville that just came out on top though, earning a 22-17 victory.
Back in England, there was a triangular at Mount Kelly, and it was the hosts that came out on top over visitors Truro School and Wellington School. Mount Kelly were excellent against both, while Truro just edged out Wellington in a cracker to finish in second overall.
There was also knockout action on Friday. In the opening round of the Continental Tyres Schools Plate, for those knocked out in the first round of the Cup, Sandbach just edged out Cheadle Hulme in an absolutely fantastic game of rugby. Sandbach took the victory 29-21, but Cheadle Hulme thought they might be able to sneak the victory, it was a late Sandbach score that did it though, a brilliant game. Over in the Vase, meanwhile, Ibstock Place progressed to the second round with a good 22-12 victory over Saint Cecilia’s.
Friday Results
Bedford Modern 23-24 Samuel Whitbread Academy
Bishop’s Stortford College 41-26 King’s Ely
Eastbourne College 43-5 City of London Freemen’s
Hayes 40-12 Sevenoaks
Ibstock Place 22-12 Saint Cecilia’s (Vase Round 1)
Lord Wandsworth College 33-36 St George’s Weybridge
Mount Kelly Triangular: Mount Kelly 17-7 Truro, Mount Kelly 35-5 Wellington, Truro 12-10 Wellington
Reading Blue Coat 8-29 Bishop Wordsworth’s
Sandbach 29-21 Cheadle Hulme (Plate Round 1)
St Benedict’s 24-21 St Albans
St Joseph’s College, Reading 44-15 Reddam House
Stewart’s Melville 22-17 Loretto
The Cedars 0-55 Worth
Trinity 41-7 Langley Park
Saturday 21st September
Saturday was a fantastic day and there were some truly brilliant games of rugby, not least in South West London where things were incredible tight. Emanuel and London Oratory held each other to an epic 21-21 draw, while John Fisher and Wimbledon College played out a classic at Wimbledon, which saw John Fisher just edge it 24-23. A fantastic pair of games. Like while Halliford’s 17-14 victory over a very much in form Tiffin.
To the South East, The Judd lost narrowly in a tight game last week, this way they won narrowly, just edging out Ravens Wood 21-17 away from home. Keep an eye on both sides, prior to running each other so close The Judd had come within a whisker of Tonbridge and Ravens Wood had drawn with Whitgift. There two are brilliant.
In Surrey there was a classic at Reed’s as Haileybury emerged victorious in a stunning 36-25 thriller, a fantastic example of schools rugby and the thrills it can provide.
West of London there were some really tight encounters too, including a first victory of the season for Eton College, who had to dig deep in a really tight game against Bedford to win 15-10, a great response to a tricky start. Along the M4, Aylesbury Grammar returned from Pangbourne College with the spoils after an epic contest that hung in the balance throughout. It could have gone either way, but Aylesbury took it, 24-22.
Meanwhile in Oxford there was one of the tightest and most tension ridden games that you will see as Magdalen College School hosted St Edward’s Oxford in their big local derby. At half time the game was locked at 0-0, it was almost a game from a bygone era. But a second half try for Magdalen College just game the edge against a solitary penalty from Teddies, earning a 5-3 victory that left both sides exhausted. Tension to the max.
Further South, Kingswood earned a big momentum booster ahead of their clash with Clifton College this Thursday, which will be live here on NextGenXV. They were at Marlborough College and had to dig incredibly deep en route to a 21-15 victory. Over in Bristol, just along from where Thursday’s game will be, Bristol Grammar also won a really fantastic game, beating Welsh side Cathedral School Llandaff 17-12.
There were some crackers in the North of England too, not least at RGS Newcastle, where Grammar School at Leeds were the visitors. It was an epic low-scoring contest, one that was in the balance, but the balance tipped the way of the visitors in the end, GSAL taking the 15-12 victory. Things were tight at Pocklington too in a thriller, they just held out against visitors Scarborough College for a 33-29 victory, one for the memory banks for sure.
Scotland saw some terrific performances, not least from Strathallan, who were simply outstanding en route to their 55-12 victory over one of the greats of Scottish rugby, Edinburgh Academy. George Watson’s College were also in stunning form, as they have been since pre-season, travelling to Dollar Academy and returning with a 40-15 victory. Things were tighter at Bell Baxter, where Glenalmond College earned a 21-14 victory.
Back in the North of England there saw Continental Tyres Schools Cup action for former finalists Durham, who progressed through to Round 2 with a stunning 56-0 victory over Newcastle School for Boys. Outside of the Cup AKS Lytham were also in stunning for, they were away at Giggleswick and earned a 50-0 victory. There was positivity for Bradford Grammar too, who hosted Stonyhurst’s 2nd XV and earned a 31-22 victory.
There was a real sea of incredible performances in the North West, not least from St Anselm’s College, who were victorious by a stunning 64-5 margin at home to Wirral Grammar. The Grange were equally impressive, beating Haberdashers’ Adams 67-14. A big statement.
An statement of real intent came at St Ambrose College where they defeated Stockport Grammar 42-5, while Ellesmere College were also making headlines with a 55-5 defeat of the previously superb Scarisbrick Hall. One of the performances of the day was actually from a 2nd XV as Kirkham Grammar’s 2nds travelled to Lancaster RGS 1st XV and won 31-7. One would have to put the Kirkham 2nd XV in the conversation for best 2nd XV in the country. Back in the all 1st XV encounters, Manchester Grammar were very good for their 29-5 victory over Bolton.
Further South, Loughborough Grammar were good value for their impressive 40-0 victory over Bishop Vesey’s Grammar, while Princethorpe College and Bablake played out a good one, Princethorpe winning 29-14.
Stowe have been impressive of late and were so again on Saturday with a strong performance and a tough display away to Solihull, winning 31-14. Over in Worcestershire, King’s Worcester were brilliant against Sir Thomas Rich’s, winning 36-3, while at rivals RGS Worcester it was the visitors that were flying as Dean Close secured a 38-5 victory.
Across in Herefordshire, visitors Pate’s Grammar were in fine form away to Hereford Cathedral, playing some wonderful rugby for a 47-12 victory. Meanwhile in Bristol Taunton School continued their fine rugby this season with a 31-10 victory at QEH, and there was a good momentum builder for Downside too as they defeated Westonbirt 19-7.
Over in Dorset, KES Bath’s brilliance was back with a wonderful 31-15 victory at Canford, while in Hampshire there were some excellent performances, not least as Dauntsey’s won 36-0 at a KES Southampton side that has been in sensational form so far this year. Clayesmore were also brilliant away from home, winning a cracking game at Embley 43-26. Meanwhile Churcher’s College struck back for the home sides with a fantastic 42-3 defeat of Portsmouth Grammar.
In Surrey Epsom College are making the case for being one of the very best teams in the country. They had already defeated St John’s Leatherhead at home in the Cup in fairly dominant fashion, now they travelled to St John’s and repeated the trick with a 55-0 victory.
Things were much tighter in Guildford, where RGS Guildford were victors by a converted try against KCS Wimbledon, 20-13, a fantastic game between two strong sides. Reigate Grammar saw their 2nd XV put in a fantastic display against Royal Alexandra & Albert’s 1st XV, wining 42-0. Meanwhile at Caterham the visitors from Kent, King’s Canterbury, won a fantastic game 20-13.
In Sussex Whitgift were at their best in a superb 38-0 victory away to Hurstpierpoint College. It has been a funny start for Whitgift, losing to Sedbergh before back to back draws against Wellington College and Ravens Wood, you could have been forgiven for overlooking them but within it all there has been superb rugby – they have just faced superb opponents. On Saturday they faced another, but showed their quality in abundance. Also showing their quality were Dunottar, who travelled to Christ’s Hospital and won a fantastic game 36-24.
Over in Kent, Tonbridge are making a pretty good case for being known as one of the best around too. They continued their unbeaten start to the season in fantastic fashion as they secured a stunning 54-12 victory over St Paul’s, who had been in flying form the week before. Duke of York’s Royal Military were also sensational, a brilliant 39-0 victory at home to Cranbrook.
In London, Campion were brilliant once again in a 43-19 victory over Skinners’, a performance befitting the memory of Paddy Dear, in whose memory the game was played. Meanwhile Maidstone Grammar School travelled in to take on Eltham College and returned with an excellent 33-12 victory.
In North London, Mill Hill flexed their muscles at StoneX in a fantastic display against St George’s Harpenden, winning 43-18. Keep an eye on Mill Hill. UCS were also superb, winning magnificently 44-5 against QES Barnet. A little further North, Richard Hale won a cracker against Cooper’s Coborn, 45-22, once again showing their quality, while Wellingborough were superb away at Wisbech Grammar, winning 41-0.
To the east, Felsted earned an important first Saturday victory of the season with a 26-15 victory over a New Hall side that has been playing good rugby, it ought to fill them with confidence. Meanwhile in Cambridge Norwich were excellent at The Perse, both sides had their moments of quality but it was Norwich on top, winning 41-24. Back in Norfolk, Langley were on good form at home to Culford, winning 38-17.
Saturday Results
Bell Baxter High 14-21 Glenalmond College
Bradford Grammar 31-22 Stonyhurst 2nd XV
Bristol Grammar 17-12 Cathedral School, Llandaff
Campion 43-19 Skinners’
Canford 15-31 KES Bath
Caterham 13-20 King’s Canterbury
Christ’s Hospital 24-35 Dunottar
Churcher’s College 42-3 Portsmouth Grammar
Dollar Academy 15-40 George Watson’s College
Downside 19-7 Westonbirt
Duke of York’s Royal Military 39-0 Cranbrook
Durham 56-0 Newcastle School for Boys (Cup Round 1)
Ellesmere College 55-5 Scarisbrick Hall
Eltham College 12-33 Maidstone Grammar
Emanuel 21-21 London Oratory
Embley 26-43 Clayesmore
Eton College 15-10 Bedford
Felsted 26-15 New Hall
Giggleswick 0-50 AKS Lytham
Halliford 17-14 Tiffin
Hereford Cathedral 12-47 Pate’s Grammar
Hurstpierpoint College 0-38 Whitgift
KES Southampton 0-36 Dauntsey’s
King’s Worcester 36-3 Sir Thomas Rich’s
Lancaster RGS 7-31 Kirkham Grammar 2nd XV
Langley 38-17 Culford
Loughborough Grammar 40-0 Bishop Vesey’s Grammar
Magdalen College 5-3 St Edward’s, Oxford
Manchester Grammar 29-5 Bolton
Marlborough College 15-21 Kingswood
Mill Hill 43-18 St George’s, Harpenden
Pangbourne College 22-24 Aylesbury Grammar
Pocklington 33-29 Scarborough College
Princethorpe College 29-14 Bablake
QEH 10-31 Taunton
Ravens Wood 17-21 The Judd
Reed’s 25-36 Haileybury
Reigate Grammar 2nd XV 42-0 Royal Alexandra & Albert
RGS Guildford 20-13 KCS Wimbledon
RGS Newcastle 12-15 Grammar School at Leeds
RGS Worcester 5-38 Dean Close
Richard Hale 45-22 Coopers’ Coborn
Solihull 14-31 Stowe
St Ambrose College 42-5 Stockport Grammar
St Anselm’s College 64-5 Wirral Grammar
St John’s, Leatherhead 0-55 Epsom College
Strathallan 55-12 Edinburgh Academy
The Grange 67-14 Haberdashers’ Adams
The Perse 24-41 Norwich
Tonbridge 54-12 St Paul’s
UCS 44-5 QES Barnet
Wimbledon College 23-24 John Fisher
Wisbech Grammar 0-41 Wellingborough
Wrekin College v Malvern College – ABD
Still to Come:
Christ College v Craighouse, Chile
Claremont Fan Court v Tiffin 3rd XV
Windsor Boys’ v Shiplake College