It was an extraordinary weekend of schools rugby, this weekend just gone. From out Ten to Watch and beyond the games, performances, and results that looked like talking points just kept on increasing.
Every week prior to this roundup, we go through and highlight the games that almost seem to demand heavier coverage. This week that list completely dwarfs the other list, it was an extraordinary weekend.
Ten to Watch
Our Ten to Watch was right up there in those stakes, with some incredible games of rugby and some truly terrific performances. It all began on Friday night where at StoneX Mill Hill and Merchant Taylors’ put on a show. Playing for the Todd-Raphael Salver (old boys of each school that died in WW1), Mill Hill got off to a physical start, sticking the ball in the corner and using their maul effectively to lead 24-10 at the half. In the second half the game broke up and became a classic, with both sides trading scores in a thrilling manner. MTS would close the gap only for Mill Hill to respond. With two minutes to play Merchant Taylors’ closed the gap to 38-34 and launched one last attack, the Mill Hill defence was up to the task though and held out for the most thrilling of victories.
Friday’s other Ten to Watch game was in the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup as Oundle met Rugby in a delayed Round 1 game. A home Round 2 tie against Loughborough Grammar was the reward for the winner, and the two teams threw everything at it to get there. Both Oundle and Rugby had moments of brilliance but it was Oundle that came out on top, taking a 39-29 victory to progress to Round 2 after a classic.
On Saturday the classics kept on coming, nowhere more so than in SW19 for the Wimbledon derby as KCS Wimbledon hosted Wimbledon College. The two schools are less than a stone’s throw apart so there was a packed crowd at KCS and they were given a treat. KCS built a lead but Wimbledon College came back and when they scored a try with just a few minutes left on the clock to lead 19-17 it looked like they had sealed a famous away victory. However KCS kept believing and worked their way forward in the final minutes, earning a penalty in the final play of the game which they duly landed for the most dramatic of victories. It was an incredible game, both sides showed endless character. A derby to match the hype, no doubt.
Saturday’s other huge derby was the Croydon derby at John Fisher, with Whitgift the visitors. Fisher hosted knowing it would be a challenging one, Whitgift’s level this year has suggested they are a top side and they showed in on Saturday with a wonderful performance to win 43-8. Fisher will rally though, and excitement will start to build ahead of the Festival on the 19th and 20th October, which will be live here on NextGenXV. Whitgift meanwhile will look ahead with real confidence after another superb performance.
On the other side of London, Hampton hosted Seaford College and had arguably their best result of the season in an absolute classic with the West Sussex side. Just two points separated them after a fantastic game of rugby, with Hampton edging it 28-26. With both sides set to appear at the St Joseph’s Festival on the 19th and 20th October, also Live here on NextGenXV, it whets the appetite ahead of a potential meeting there too.
Not too far away, Radley College were once again demonstrating their quality on Saturday. They have not played many games but every time they have taken to the field they have impressed and that was the case again this weekend in South West London where they were hosted by St Paul’s. The hosts gave a good account of themselves, but ultimately there was just nothing that they could do in the face of such form from Radley, who won 38-7.
Another side having one of their best performances of the season was Oakham, who backed up their midweek Cup victory over Trent College with a hard fought and tight 24-19 victory over Bromsgrove. Bromsgrove will be gutted after a tough week that also saw them miss out in the Cup to Warwick, but they have already shown this year that they have the quality to bounce back. For Oakham, it is a huge stepping stone as they look to really accelerate their season.
One of Saturday’s most special games came in Somerset, where New Zealand side Dilworth were on tour and taking on schools rugby giants, Millfield. There was a fantastic atmosphere around the Sir Gareth Edwards pitch, with Dilworth performing a rousing haka and Millfield accepting that challenge with plenty of menace. On the field, as they have been time and time again this season, Millfield were simply brilliant. They sealed a fantastic 53-12 victory and are looking every inch one of the best sides in the country. This game was about more than just outcome though, it was about occasion, and what a magnificent occasion it was.
Another side making a real challenge for that sort of status, as ever, are Millfield’s great rivals Sedbergh. Last year they were stung by Ipswich in the Suffolk sides greatest ever victory, this year Sedbergh got their own back with a truly magnificent performance, a 52-5 victory. They have now beaten Whitgift, Denstone College, Clifton College, and Ipswich to start the season, four of last year’s Top 20 sides. An outstanding start to the year. A tough outing for Ipswich, but they know that was one of the biggest challenges of the season. Sedbergh are looking ominous.
Also looking rather ominous are another legend of schools rugby, QEGS Wakefield. On Saturday they made it six victories from six games in a 34-21 defeat of Durham, who themselves arrived unbeaten and playing glorious rugby. Seemingly though, nothing can stop QEGS at the moment, and suddenly their Cup game against the unbeaten Hill House is looking very tasty indeed. QEGS look back to where they belong, at the sharp end of the school game.
Ten to Watch Results:
Hampton 28-26 Seaford College
John Fisher 8-43 Whitgift
KCS Wimbledon 20-19 Wimbledon College
Merchant Taylors’, Northwood 34-38 Mill Hill
Millfield 53-12 Dilworth, New Zealand – Saturday
Oakham 24-19 Bromsgrove
Oundle 39-29 Rugby (Cup Round 1)
QEGS Wakefield 34-21 Durham – Saturday
Sedbergh 52-5 Ipswich – Saturday
St Paul’s 7-38 Radley College
Around the Grounds
Friday 27th September
Friday was a fantastic day and night of school rugby and perhaps nowhere more so than in the West Midlands, where Solihull and KES Birmingham met in an absolute cracker that went right down to the wire. They could hardly be separated, but it was KES that just claimed the spoils, 20-19 in a Friday classic.
In Gloucester things were just as exciting as St Peter’s and The Crypt went head to head. Again these two put on a show for the watching supporters and encapsulated what makes Friday evening games feel so special, that sense of occasion, of the reigns being loosened, and that sense of atmosphere that the floodlights bring. It could have gone either way, but it was St Peter’s that edged it, 27-24.
Over in London there was a cracker between two sides that have started the season well, London Oratory and Reigate Grammar. These two have been looking good and both played well on Friday as well, but it was London Oratory that just had the edge as they secured an impressive 33-24 victory.
In the north of the country there was a brilliant display from Barnard Castle, Lee Dickson’s men were superb en route to a 47-10 victory at Dame Allan’s that will live long in the memory for all involved. Meanwhile further west, King’s Macclesfield bounced back from a tough outing last weekend to secure an excellent 29-6 victory against Sandbach, who had been in a good run of form.
Friday Fixtures
Dame Allan’s 10-47 Barnard Castle
London Oratory 33-24 Reigate Grammar
Sandbach 6-29 King’s Macclesfield
Solihull 19-20 KES Birmingham
St Peter’s, Gloucester 27-24 The Crypt
Saturday 28th September
Saturday was just a brilliant day, despite a few games being lost to waterlogged pitches after a week of abysmal weather. All over the country there were brilliant games and superb performances. One of the best of the lot came on the Derbyshire/Yorkshire border as Mount St Mary’s College hosted Denstone College. Both sides have been excellent in recent years and Denstone have started this season particularly well, but it was Mount St Mary’s that just found the edge on Saturday in an instant classic that was decided by a mere point at 28-27. A glorious game that in many ways summed up the weekend.
In Yorkshire itself, Woodhouse Grove bounced back from that Cup defeat to Hill House, whom everyone must keep an eye on, with a terrific performance at home to RGS Newcastle for a 54-12 victory. Meanwhile Ampleforth College continue to look good, they secured a 22-14 victory at home to Hymers College, it has been the North Yorkshire side’s best start for many a year.
Back down in Nottinghamshire, the Nottingham derby took place at Trent College as they took their turn to host Nottingham High School, and they took their turn in style with a superb 45-7 victory, a quick return to winning ways after a great Cup performance in defeat to Oakham in midweek. Across in Leicester, it was away victories for Bablake and Worksop College. Bablake were at Leicester Grammar and were in fine for too, winning 55-19, while Worksop College worked hard for a good 27-12 victory at Ratcliffe College. Loughborough Grammar meanwhile travelled South to a Wellingborough side that has started the season like a train, and there was little that the visitors could do to stop them as Wellingborough once again performed for a 34-14 victory.
Stamford have also started like a train and were at it again on Saturday when they travelled to a Bedford Modern side that has been playing some good stuff. The hosts had some excellent moments, but ultimately there was no stopping this Stamford side, who were good value for a 39-23 victory.
Further west, Warwick continued their brilliant form of late, that included that superb Cup victory over Bromsgrove in midweek, as they sealed a 43-12 victory over former Vase champions Samuel Whitbread. Meanwhile Princethorpe College won one of the games of the day away at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar. It was a 71-point thriller, with Princethorpe running out 38-31 victors, a magnificent game of rugby for the spectators lining the sidelines.
To the north of there came an absolute classic in Stockport, where Stockport Grammar and Wirral Grammar split an astonishing 93 points. It was a mad game of rugby, and when the music stopped the game had gone the way of Wirral Grammar, a mind-blowing 49-44. An important one for Wirral too, who have had a tough start to the season. Not too far away, St Ambrose College were in stunning form for a 47-0 victory against a Grammar School at Leeds side that has been playing some superb rugby. St Ambrose are looking formidable this year.
Back in Cheshire, The Grange earned a good 10-0 victory over Wilmslow High, while on the Wirral, St Anselm’s College were simply astonishing. They welcomed Manchester Grammar, and then put in one of their best performances not just of this season but of any, for a stunning 70-5 victory.
Further North, Scarisbrick Hall weren’t far off being just as impressive. They have been brilliant this season but had a setback last week, however they put that behind them in some style on Saturday, beating Altrincham Grammar 62-12. In Preston meanwhile there was a great contest. Birkenhead were the visitors to Hutton Grammar, and their hosts made them work oh so hard for a tight 29-24 victory.
Further North again, where Stonyhurst hosted Lancaster RGS. Stonyhurst have quietly been very impressive this season and they were so again on Saturday en route to a 28-19 victory. Another side that has been impressive, though not so quiet such has the nature of their brilliance been, is AKS Lytham. They were at it again in Cumbria on Saturday away at Austin Friars, winning 43-5. They are looking absolute fantastic this season.
In the South there was some good action in East Anglia, St Joseph’s College earning a great victory away at Norwich School as they continue to build form and confidence ahead of the St Joseph’s Festival, live on NextGenXV 18th-20th October. Back in Suffolk, RGS Colchester were the visitors to Royal Hospital School and they returned with an excellent 41-19 victory. Meanwhile in Essex Richard Hale’s stunning form continued with a 33-10 victory at Brentwood. Coopers’ Coborn meanwhile were in good form for a 32-19 victory over QES Barnet.
London saw some glorious performances and once such performance came from a side that is playing some of the best rugby they ever have, Ravens Wood. They hosted Gravesend Grammar and put in a stunning display for a 76-20 victory. Elsewhere, Caterham were on song for a 19-7 victory at Eltham College, while Halliford were also away winners, 28-0 at Latymer Upper, Halliford are in a good run of form now. Meanwhile Colfe’s won a tight game at home to UCS, 19-15.
One of the biggest games in London was in Croydon, where Trinity hosted Brighton College. It’s been a tough start to the year for Trinity, while Brighton have been brilliant, and that was how it played out as Brighton once again played superbly for a 45-13 victory. With a game against one of the season’s early pace-setters coming up, Cranleigh, Brighton College are approaching the key corner in their season – and they are arriving at it in top form.
Out to Kent, where there were a series of incredible performances. The Judd have been brilliant rhoughout this season so far and they were so again on Saturday in a superb 54-14 victory over Dartford Grammar. Sutton Valence followed suit, arguably even more impressively, welcoming a good Finborough side an securing a brilliant 50-19 victory, arguably their most impressive performance of the season to date. Skinners’ meanwhile had unquestionably their best performance to date, jaw-dropping 82-14 victory over Langley Park. It was a stunning bounceback after disappointment at Campion last time out, impressive stuff from Skinners’. In impressive form away from home were Eastbourne College, who are playing some lovely stuff in their 125th rugby anniversary year winning 48-14 at Cranbrook on Saturday.
Further West, Worth were again utterly sensational. They have been superb this year and were so again on Saturday in a 60-0 victory over Emanuel that saw them play some wonderful rugby. Surrey was home to some incredible rugby throughout Saturday. RGS Guildford hosted Hurstpierpoint College and the two were scoring tries for fun in a mad game that eventually saw RGS Guildford run out impressive 50-36 victors. It was a similar story at Reed’s, where Campion continued their excellent form in another high scoring and entertaining game of rugby, winning 46-29. Meanwhile at St John’s Leatherhead things were tighter than anywhere else in the country as visitors Sevenoaks held them to a 21-21 draw. Both will have hoped for victory, but in the end a draw gives both something to hold onto after a tricky couple of weeks.
In Berkshire, Dulwich College put in surely their best performance of the season away at Wellington College. It ultimately ended in defeat, but in pushing Wellington College so close, a side that have demonstrated their quality this season abundantly, they should take real confidence. So too though will Wellington College, who remain unbeaten and will take real positives from again being involved in a tight game and again emerging from it victorious, they are going to be challenging right at the very top end throughout the season. St George’s Weybridge were meanwhile on the road at Reading Blue Coat and emerged with a good 24-12 victory, while Aylesbury Grammar School were excellent at Windsor Boys’, winning 39-7.
Hampshire was home to two cracking games of rugby. Churcher’s College welcomed St Benedict’s from Ealing and the tense game unfolded, with the two barely able to be separated, Churcher’s just edging it 15-14. It was a similar story at Embley, where they just held off a spirited Warminster performance for a 26-24 victory.
Out to the West there were some great games, including three Anglo-Welsh clashes, the tightest of which saw RGS Worcester just edge out Christ College Brecon 26-25, an absolute classic. King’s Gloucester were also victorious, an excellent 33-5 performance at home to Cathedral School, Llandaff. Monmouth struck a blow for Wales though, continuing their fine form and excellent start to the season with victory at Sir Thomas Rich’s in a bit of a classic, winning 33-25.
In Bristol, QEH won a tight one against Pate’s Grammar 17-12, while in Somerset there were some fantastic fixtures. With Millfield’s 1st XV in action against Dilworth their 2nd XV hosted Sherborne and a stunning game unfolded. Sherborne were good and threw everything at it, but Millfield came out on top in a frightening display of depth, winning 33-29. There was a fantastic game at Taunton School too, who hosted Collegiate, both sides had glorious moments but the hosts won out 33-28. Bristol Grammar clasimed one for the away sides with a cracking performance at Prior Park College, winning 27-17.
Also victorious on the road were Devon’s Exeter School, who were highly impressive for a 42-19 victory at West Bucklands. Meanwhile in Devon, Blundell’s and King’s College Taunton were barely separable in a game that went down to the wire, the hosts winning out 22-20. Over at Mount Kelly, Cheltenham College were on fire, winning 57-7 to continue their impressive form. Credit to Mount Kelly though, who stepped up to the challenge at the last minute as Cheltenham looked for a fixture.
Up in Scotland, Saturday was an extraordinary day. Merchiston Castle in particular were astonishing, they secured a 74-19 victory over Dollar Academy, a Scottish rugby giant in their own right. Heading into the Merchiston Festival, with will be live here on NextGenXV 12th to 13th October, they are looking formidable. George Watson’s College are also near enough unstoppable this year and were so again on Saturday in another epic performance, winning 57-24 at Edinburgh Academy, another huge name. Merchiston and George Watson’s are setting some pace.
On Saturday, so were Dundee High School, who won a 102 point try-fest against Bell Baxter, and in some style, 69-33. Things were similar, though not quite so high-scoring, at Robert Gordon’s College, who beat North Berwick High by an impressive 48-22 margin.
Saturday Fixtures
Ampleforth College 22-14 Hymers College
Austin Friars 5-43 AKS Lytham
Bedford Modern 23-39 Stamford
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar 33-38 Princethorpe College
Blundell’s 22-20 King’s College, Taunton
Brentwood 10-33 Richard Hale
Churcher’s College 15-14 St Benedict’s
Colfe’s 19-15 UCS
Coopers’ Coborn 32-19 QES Barnet
Cranbrook 14-48 Eastbourne College
Dundee High 69-33 Bell Baxter High
Edinburgh Academy 24-57 George Watson’s College
Eltham College 7-19 Caterham
Embley 26-24 Warminster
Hutton Grammar 24-29 Birkenhead
King’s Gloucester 33-5 Cathedral School, Llandaff
Latymer Upper 0-28 Halliford
Leicester Grammar 19-55 Bablake
Merchiston Castle 74-19 Dollar Academy
Millfield 2nd XV 33-29 Sherborne
Mount Kelly 7-57 Cheltenham College
Mount St Mary’s College 28-27 Denstone College
Norwich 12-36 St Joseph’s College
Prior Park College 17-27 Bristol Grammar
QEH 17-12 Pate’s Grammar
Ratcliffe College 12-27 Worksop College
Ravens Wood 76-20 Gravesend Grammar
Reading Blue Coat 12-24 St George’s Weybridge
Reed’s 29-46 Campion
RGS Guildford 50-36 Hurstpierpoint College
RGS Worcester 26-25 Christ College
Robert Gordon’s College 48-22 North Berwick High
Royal Hospital School 19-41 RGS Colchester
Scarisbrick Hall 62-12 Altrincham Grammar
Sir Thomas Rich’s 25-33 Monmouth
Skinners’ 82-14 Langley Park
St Ambrose College 47-0 Grammar School at Leeds
St Anselm’s College 70-5 Manchester Grammar
St John’s, Leatherhead 21-21 Sevenoaks
Stockport Grammar 44-49 Wirral Grammar
Stonyhurst 28-19 Lancaster RGS
Sutton Valence 50-19 Finborough
Taunton 33-28 Collegiate
The Grange 10-0 Wilmslow High
The Judd 54-14 Dartford Grammar
Trent College 45-7 Nottingham High
Trinity 13-45 Brighton College
Warwick 43-12 Samuel Whitbread Academy
Wellingborough 34-14 Loughborough Grammar
Wellington College 38-32 Dulwich College
West Buckland 19-42 Exeter School
Windsor Boys’ 7-39 Aylesbury Grammar
Woodhouse Grove 54-12 RGS Newcastle
Worth 60-0 Emanuel
Still to Come:
Lingfield v Worth 3rd XV
Old Swinford Hospital v Hereford Cathedral
St Olave’s Grammar v The Cedars
