The first weekend of October certainly lived up to expectations with some outstanding games of rugby across the country. With an intense period leading into the half term break, sides are starting to really hit their straps and the results of that were impressive on Saturday.
Both of our live games went down to the wire, and they were far from the only ones. It has been the pattern of the season really, big games decided by narrow margins. Some of the very best around were given a serious test.
Ten to Watch
Our Ten to Watch saw performances that thrilled an impressed in equal measure. Perhaps nowhere more so than at Cranleigh, where the drama was tuned up to the maximum. They were hosting Brighton College, and both sides arrived absolutely bursting with confidence. An open game was expected, given each side’s relative strengths, but instead a tense and tight game unfolded. Brighton College had a 14-3 lead and were looking to build, and as the game moved towards the last ten minutes it looked like they might; Cranleigh were down to 13 players. Yet somehow, someway, Cranleigh found a route to two converted scores. An extraordinary comeback from the hosts, who maintain their unbeaten start to the season. It will be heartbreak for Brighton College, who must have thought they had done enough to topple on of the season’s pace-setters, but this extraordinary Cranleigh side just finds a way. An incredible game.
The Ten to Watch actually began on Friday with our live game at Merchant Taylors’ as they hosted Reading Blue Coat in the conclusion to their ‘Phab Charity’ Rugby Week. Games between these two always seem to be dramatic, and this was no different as Reading Blue Coat scored late on to leave a four point margin between the two sides heading into the closing minutes. The tension was palpable, but through some smart and quality play, Merchant Taylors’ created an opening after a late lineout to score in the corner and earn the victory in front of a buoyant home crowd. An incredible evening, and once again an incredible game that you can relieve in full on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel or check out the highlights below.
Not too far away on Saturday, Harrow had one of their best performances of the season against a Warwick side that has been in strong form of late. Harrow strode out to an early 21-0 lead, and from there they had control of the game. Warwick grew stronger, but the gap was too big to close as Harrow secured a 40-15 victory to back up their Cup triumph in midweek.
The weekend’s other live game saw two giants of the global school game go head to head as Wellington College hosted Millfield in an extraordinary game of rugby between two of the very best sides in the country. You can watch it all again on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel and the highlights are available below. Twice Millfield built two score leads, but twice Wellington College marched back to within a handful of points in a game of exceptional quality from both sides. For all that attacking quality though, it was defence that was the difference in the end, leading 26-22 in the final ten minutes, Millfield were camped in their own 22 defending doggedly against the home side who were being backed by a bumper crowd on the touchline. Time and time again though Millfield repelled and then eventually back to back penalties took them up the field to a position from which they could close out for the victory – by exactly the same score as at this time last year. These two will both be at the St Joseph’s Festival in a couple of week’s time, and you can be certain that they will be among the favourites there. A fantastic game of rugby.
An equally compelling game saw Epsom College maintain their unbeaten season away at Seaford College. In our build up the suggestion was that Seaford might well be Epsom’s toughest challenge of the season to date, and so it proved as they gave the visitors an almighty test. Epsom are made of strong stuff though, and their brilliance this season is no accident. They had enough to seal a 26-21 victory that maintains the unbeaten record, and sees them eyeing up and unbeaten first half of term. Seaford College now turn to back to back festivals, Merchiston followed by St Joseph’s, and they will be challengers in both for sure.
The other side to have given Epsom a real challenge this season is Radley College. The Oxford side had arguably their biggest test since a narrow defeat to Epsom on Saturday when they welcomed a Tonbridge side that has been in fantastic form. It was therefore a real sign of the quality that Radley have as they sealed an impressive 31-12 victory that underlines their status as one of the best around.
Also underlining their status as a fantastic side were QEGS Wakefield. They travelled to AKS Lytham with both sides in stunning form and with unbeaten records. It was a crucial test for both and it was QEGS that passed it with flying colours, earning an outstanding 43-15 victory that will have plenty of sides sitting up and taking notice, not least those that will be at the St Joseph’s Festival in a couple of weeks, could QEGS be dark horses?
One side that moved into dark horses contention for the St Joseph’s Festival on Saturday were Berkhamsted. They were hosting a Northampton School for Boys side that has been in top form so far this season, but on Saturday they were powerless to stop an outstanding Berkhamsted performance as the hosts raced to a 57-19 victory. The tests keep coming for Berkhamsted though, on Wednesday they host Kirkham Grammar School – a game you can watch live here on NextGenXV.
Also hosting an unbeaten side were Bromsgrove, they welcomed Monmouth in a game billed as a big test for both. It was likely to be Monmouth’s toughest game so far, while Bromsgrove had started the season in style but were arriving off the back of a little wobble. It felt in the balance, and great game unfolded, but it was the hosts towards whom the balance tipped as Bromsgrove sealed an important 38-29 victory, injected momentum back into the season.
Also back to winning ways were Hurstpierpoint College, they were on the road at Eastbourne College after a tricky couple of weeks and were going to have to be at their best – Eastbourne have been in inspired form in this 125th rugby anniversary year of theirs. That’s exactly what Hurstpierpoint College were though as they secured a 22-10 victory that will leave them feeling confident ahead of the next couple of week’s, that culminates in a return to the St Joseph’s Festival.
Ten to Watch Results
AKS Lytham 15-43 QEGS Wakefield
Berkhamsted 57-19 Northampton School for Boys
Bromsgrove 38-29 Monmouth
Cranleigh 17-14 Brighton College
Eastbourne College 10-22 Hurstpierpoint College
Harrow 40-15 Warwick
Merchant Taylors’ 31-20 Reading Blue Coat – LIVE
Radley College 31-12 Tonbridge
Seaford College 21-26 Epsom College
Wellington College 22-26 Millfield – LIVE
Friday 4th October
Friday saw some of the most impressive sides so far this season really flex their muscles. Kirkham Grammar School are unbeaten and playing fantastic rugby this season. On Friday they met Finborough and put in another outstanding display, winning 50-17 in a performance that really whets the appetite ahead of Wednesday’s LIVE game against Berkhamsted.
Back to back St Joseph’s Festival titles is one of the objectives for Kirkham this year, but the side they beat in last year’s final, RGS High Wycombe, will certainly be among the contenders trying to ensure that’s not the case. On Friday RGS were brilliant against Abingdon as they secured a stunning 65-7 victory, keep an eye on RGS.
Stamford have also been one of the best sides in the country this year, and on Friday they maintained their unbeaten record, but Grammar School at Leeds made them work for it. A really tight game ended up 21-17 in Stamford’s favour.
The West Anglia Schools League was back in action on Friday with a tight game between Bishop’s Stortford High School and The Perse, Bishop’s Stortford running out 19-12 victors for their first victory in the new league that takes place across existing block fixtures.
Down at Plymouth Albion there was a massive Devon/Cornwall derby as Plymouth College put in an excellent performance to seal a 40-7 victory over Truro School. Meanwhile in Gloucester King’s Worcester were the visitors against St Peter’s and secured a good 26-12 victory.
In the North there was a stunning away victory for Calday Grange Grammar at The Grange, winning 59-0, while Wilmslow High School were also victorious in a 21-15 victory over Altrincham Grammar. Scarisbrick Hall have been brilliant for the most part this season and on Friday they were so again against Giggleswick, winning 27-12. Woodhouse Grove were meanwhile excellent against Harrogate Grammar, earning a 46-12 victory in which they showcased so much of what makes them such a good side.
Down in Surrey at Cobham RFC, KCS Wimbledon and Mill Hill met in a fantastic Friday evening of schools rugby. The atmosphere was outstanding and the rugby too as Mill Hill secured a well earned 35-14 victory.
Friday Fixtures
Abingdon 7-65 RGS High Wycombe
Altrincham Grammar 15-21 Wilmslow High
Bishop’s Stortford High 19-12 The Perse (West Anglia Schools League)
Finborough 17-50 Kirkham Grammar
KCS Wimbledon 14-35 Mill Hill
Plymouth College 40-7 Truro School
Scarisbrick Hall 27-12 Giggleswick
St Peter’s, Gloucester 12-26 King’s Worcester
Stamford 21-17 Grammar School at Leeds
The Grange 0-59 Calday Grange Grammar
Woodhouse Grove 46-12 Harrogate Grammar
Saturday 5th October
Saturday was a brilliant day, with some incredible performance and cracking contests all over the place. One of the best was a game in which 99 points were scored as Sedbergh showed their brilliance at St Peter’s York, who also showed plenty of brilliance. The outcome saw a dominant Sedbergh earn a 66-33 victory to maintain their unbeaten record as they eye up a huge game against Blackrock College, but in scoring 33 points St Peter’s will take plenty of heart from what is always their toughest game of the season. Sedbergh’s 2nd XV were also in impressive 1st XV action, heading to Dame Allan’s and winning 26-14.
Barnard Castle and Lancaster RGS played out one of the games of the day, a 57 points thriller that saw Barnard Castle just edge it 30-27. It was a similar story at Bradford Grammar, who gave a fantastic account of themselves albeit in defeat to a strong Pocklington side who took the tight victory 30-28. Durham were in Yorkshire, taking on an Ampleforth College side that has been playing some good rugby. However it was going to take brilliance and a bit of luck to stop this Durham side, and in the end it was Durham that turned on the brilliant for a 52-17 victory.
Further south there was brilliance in a tight game last week from Mount St Mary’s College, this week there was brilliant of a different sort as they flew to a 52-12 victory over what has been an in form Stonyhurst side. Outstanding from Mount St Mary’s. Over in Lincolnshire there was an entirely different sort of game as Worksop College and Nottingham High School simply could not be separated en route to a 17-17 draw.
Over to the West, there was an epic on the Wirral as Cheadle Hulme edged it against Wirral Grammar, 21-20. Heartbreak for the hosts, who have lost a couple of crackers now, but a huge high for Cheadle Hulme and a game both will take plenty from. Along the road Birkenhead were on form for a 34-17 victory over St Mary’s College. Meanwhile two of the form sides in the region went head to head, St Ambrose College and St Anselm’s College. Both have been excellent but on Saturday it was St Anselm’s that had the edge, winning 24-15. Having the edge with almost any side they put out at the moment are Kirkham Grammar, whose 2ndXV took on Manchester Grammar’s 1st XV and earned a brilliant 52-19 victory.
A little further south, Ellesmere College were at Haberdashers’ Adams and won a really tight contest 15-12. Meanwhile Old Swinford Hospital were in glorious form as they secured a brilliant 53-14 victory over Solihull, a victory that will give them huge confidence heading into the John Fisher State Schools Festival on the 19thand 20th October.
Also gaining huge confidence on Saturday were Rugby School, they hosted a Stowe side whose only defeat had been a tight on against Stamford. A fantastic and tense game unfolded, one that could have gone either way but it was Rugby that got the victory, 24-20, their second of the week and arguably their best result of the season. Across in Northamptonshire, Oundle bounced back from Cup defeat to their great rivals Uppingham with a strong performance in a thrilling game against Haileybury, winning 41-31. Uppingham meanwhile were at home in Rutland and, buoyed by that performance against Oundle, were utterly sensational against Bedford Modern as they put in one of their most dominant performances in recent memory of a stunning 77-19 victory.
A little further south, Bedford’s topsy turvy season continued with what should be considered their best victory of the season. They hosted a Dulwich College side that in the last 2 weeks had given Wellington College an almighty test and had been within a last minute whisker of beating Whitgift. Yet on Saturday Bedford made it back to back victories, after their midweek Plate win, with an excellent 27-12 win. Superb from the boys in red.
Across in Oxfordshire there was a brilliant game between Bloxham and Magdalen College, both side playing some great stuff but it was Bloxham that were in control for a 38-21 victory. Shiplake College were also sensational, they won 55-10 against UCS and will be feeling confident heading into their live game against Aylesbury Grammar a week on Wednesday. So too though with Aylesbury Grammar, who were brilliant themselves at home in Buckinghamshire to Latymer Upper on Saturday, winning 43-0.
In Berkshire meanwhile, Marlborough College were visitors at Eton College and earned an important morale boosting 17-5 away victory. There was a stunning away performance meanwhile from Churcher’s College, who were at Pangbourne College and sealed a 64-5 away win.
Hertfordshire meanwhile saw the excellent Richard Hale in superb form once again, winning 52-10 against QES Barnet. Meanwhile Campion earned an absolutely fantastic victory at St Albans, a really tight game that could have gone either way but the visitors claimed it, 17-14. Travelling from Hertfordshire to Cambridge were Bishop’s Stortford College, but there was little that they could do in the face of a stunning performance from The Leys, who were outstanding en route to a 53-5 victory. In Norfolk, Gresham’s were just as good as they turned on the style, not for the first time this season, in a 59-14 defeat of Royal Hospital School.
Travelling from Norfolk were Norwich, who were at Felsted and the two played out a cracking game. It was hosts Felsted that earned the victory, a huge morale booster for them, as they edge a good one 30-24. Not too far away, Coopers’ Coborn were victorious in an even closer one at New Hall, winning 22-19.
In London the game of the day came in the South West where Wimbledon College hosted Tiffin in an epic. Truly a game on a knife edge throughout it was the hosts that took it, 32-31, a tremendous bounceback after last week’s heartache and another utterly brilliant game of rugby. Cardinal Vaughan meanwhile earned a good 35-19 victory over Wisbech Grammar, while Wallington County Grammar won a tight one at Claremont Fan Court, a low-scoring classic, 10-7. City of London Freemen’s were 21-7 victors of The Cedars.
In South east London, Whitgift were in sensational form after that late epic against Dulwich in midweek, earning a 62-3 victory over Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar. Great rivals John Fisher were back to winning ways ahead of the John Fisher State Schools Festival, winning a tight game 20-15 against Langley Park, who will be among the attendees at the Festival. Eltham College were also victorious, putting in a fantastic performance in their derby game against local rivals Colfe’s for a 29-12 victory.
In Kent Worth were on the road at King’s Canterbury and maintained their unbeaten start to the season. They had to work for it though, truly work, King’s Canterbury were magnificent and the game was absolutely in the balance. Worth found a way though, digging deep in their toughest game since the season opener to win 31-28. Cranbrook were also victorious in a tight one, 15-10 at St Lawrence College, while Sir Joseph Williamson’s were 14-10 victors away at Maidstone Grammar.
Continuing the away side form in Kent, Skinners’ were outstanding at Dartford Grammar for a 38-7 victory. Striking back for the home sides were Dunottar, who were 21-10 victors against Sutton Valence, and The Judd’s 2nd XV won a 1st XV encounter at home to Brentwood, 14-5.
Across in Surrey there were some excellent performances, not least from Caterham who flew to a 41-5 victory over Emanuel. RGS Guildford were also excellent, putting in a really strong display to beat St Paul’s 22-5. There was a cracking game just off the A3 as St John’s Leatherhead edged a tight one at home to Reed’s, 17-3. A really good result for St John’s. Striking for the away sides were KES Southampton, who returned to form at Gordon’s with a 22-12 victory.
Back in Hampshire another away side was on form, The Oratory, who will be full of confidence ahead of next week’s live derby against London Oratory after a brilliant 40-16 victory at Lord Wandsworth College. Portsmouth Grammar were meanwhile in good nick at home against Ryde, winning 21-12.
Dorset and Wiltshire were home to some outstanding games of rugby and some incredible performances, not least Dauntsey’s continued brilliance, this time at Bryanston in a 55-14 victory. Clayesmore were also outstanding away from home, winning 43-21 at Warminster. Bishop Wordsworth’s meanwhile will be delighted with their performance at home against a good Canford side, earning a 22-5 victory. However the game of day across the region was at Sherborne, where they host Taunton in an epic. It hung in the balance, but it was the visitors Taunton that got the job done, 24-21 to continue what has been an excellent season.
Over in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham College continued their outstanding season with another brilliant display, this time at home against Blundell’s, 62-7. Hereford Cathedral were nearly as good away from home at Westonbirt, wining 57-7 a very impressive outing. Far closer was an epic at Dean Close with Sir Thomas Rich’s the visitors. Both side had their chances, but Dean Close just managed to edge it 22-21. KES Stratford meanwhile continued their quietly impressive season, winning 29-7 at The Crypt.
In and around Bristol, KES Bath were outstanding again. They are having a wonderful season and on Saturday at Collegiate they showed it again in a fantastic 59-14 victory away from home. Clifton College are meanwhile one of the best sides in the entire country and that was in evidence again as they hosted St Edward’s Oxford ahead of this weekend’s game against Millfield and put in another brilliant display to win 50-22, Teddies will not be too disappointed with how they competed though. Along the road, Clifton High School were also flying, winning 43-5 at home to Rendcomb College.
One side that has already felt Clifton’s wrath is Kingswood, but on Saturday they showed their quality in a strong 33-19 performance at home to Malvern College. King’s College Taunton were also impressive on Saturday, winning 39-5 at home to Wellington School. Wycliffe College meanwhile travelled to take on Monkton Combe and returned with a superb 32-8 victory.
There was also a big triangular in Somerset, hosted by King’s Bruton, with Downside and Wells Cathedral the visitors. It was the hosts that came out on top, beating Downside 24-12 and Wells Cathedral 36-5, meanwhile Downside earned a 24-14 victory over Wells Cathedral to finish up in second. Down in Devon, Exeter School were in great try-scoring form in a fun game at Mount Kelly, winning 40-22.
There was no doubt about the game of the day in Scotland, an epic 28-26 victory for Merchiston Castle against Stewart’s Melville. An absolutely brilliant and tense game of rugby, and one that really whets the appetite for this weekend’s Merchiston Festival, live here on NextGenXV, in which both sides are competing.
George Watson’s College meanwhile maintained their brilliant unbeaten season in a strong 28-12 victory over Strathallan, who are heading to the St Joseph’s Festival, while Dollar Academy were superb at home to Fettes College, winning 35-0. Glasgow High School, meanwhile, were 34-10 victors in their derby at St Aloysius’ College.
Saturday Results
Ampleforth College 17-52 Durham
Aylesbury Grammar 43-0 Latymer Upper
Barnard Castle 30-27 Lancaster RGS
Bedford 27-12 Dulwich College
Birkenhead 34-17 St Mary’s College
Bishop Wordsworth’s 22-5 Canford
Bloxham 38-21 Magdalen College
Bradford Grammar 28-30 Pocklington
Bryanston 14-55 Dauntsey’s
Cardinal Vaughan 35-19 Wisbech Grammar
Caterham 41-5 Emanuel
Cheltenham College 62-7 Blundell’s
City of London Freemen’s 21-7 The Cedars
Claremont Fan Court 7-10 Wallington County Grammar
Clifton College 50-22 St Edward’s, Oxford
Clifton High 43-5 Rendcomb College
Collegiate 14-59 KES Bath
Dame Allan’s 14-26 Sedbergh 2nd XV
Dartford Grammar 7-38 Skinners’
Dean Close 22-21 Sir Thomas Rich’s
Dollar Academy 35-0 Fettes College
Dunottar 21-10 Sutton Valence
Eltham College 29-12 Colfe’s
Eton College 5-17 Marlborough College
Felsted 30-24 Norwich
George Watson’s College 28-12 Strathallan
Gordon’s XV 12-22 KES Southampton
Gresham’s 59-14 Royal Hospital School
Haberdashers’ Adams 12-15 Ellesmere College
John Fisher 20-15 Langley Park
King’s Bruton Triangular: Downside, King’s Bruton, Wells Cathedral (Downside 24-14 Wells Cathedral, King’s Bruton 24-12 Downside, King’s Bruton 36-5 Wells Cathedral)
King’s Canterbury 28-31 Worth
King’s College, Taunton 39-5 Wellington School
Kingswood 33-19 Malvern College
Lord Wandsworth College 16-40 The Oratory
Maidstone Grammar 10-14 Sir Joseph Williamson’s
Manchester Grammar 29-52 Kirkham Grammar 2nd XV
Merchiston Castle 28-26 Stewart’s Melville
Monkton Combe 8-32 Wycliffe College
Mount Kelly 22-40 Exeter
Mount St Mary’s College 52-12 Stonyhurst
New Hall 19-22 Coopers’ Coborn
Old Swinford Hospital 53-14 Solihull
Oundle 41-31 Haileybury
Pangbourne College 5-64 Churcher’s College
Portsmouth Grammar 21-12 Ryde
RGS Guildford 22-5 St Paul’s
Richard Hale 52-10 QES Barnet
Rugby 24-20 Stowe
Sevenoaks 62-12 Christ’s Hospital
Sherborne 21-24 Taunton
Shiplake College 55-10 UCS
St Albans 14-17 Campion
St Aloysius’ College 10-34 Glasgow High
St Ambrose College 15-24 St Anselm’s College
St John’s Leatherhead 17-13 Reed’s
St Lawrence College 10-15 Cranbrook
St Peter’s, York 33-66 Sedbergh
The Crypt 7-29 KES Stratford
The Judd 2nd XV 14-5 Brentwood
The Leys 53-5 Bishop’s Stortford College
Uppingham 77-19 Bedford Modern
Warminster 21-43 Clayesmore
Westonbirt 7-57 Hereford Cathedral
Whitgift 62-3 Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar
Wimbledon College 32-31 Tiffin
Wirral Grammar 20-21 Cheadle Hulme
Worksop College 17-17 Nottingham High
Still to Come:
Bolton v Liverpool College
Hutchesons’ Grammar v Marr College
Hutton Grammar v Merchant Taylors’
King’s Rochester v St Olave’s Grammar
Lymm High v Stockport Grammar
RGS Colchester v Wymondham College
Robert Gordon’s College v Loretto
St George’s Weybridge v Reigate Grammar
St Leonards v Linlithgow Academy
