It feels almost repetitive to say it, but once again it was a brilliant weekend of schools rugby with some fantastically close games and wonderful moments of brilliance.
The NextGenXV live cameras travelled up to Scotland for the Merchiston Castle School U18 Rugby Festival, which you can relive on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel, and were treated to a spectacular two days of rugby – leave the mouth watering ahead of the 38th St Joseph’s College National Rugby Festival and the John Fisher State Schools Festival this weekend.
Elsewhere some of the best in the country went head to head, and indeed some of the best from further afield as Irish legends Blackrock College hosted English giants Sedbergh, a stunning occasion.
Ten to Watch
That Blackrock College v Sedbergh fixture was one of our Ten to Watch and what a game it proved to be as these two great sides met in what is now an annual fixture. They could barely be separated as the two showed all of their immeasurable quality. Blackrock led 17-12 going into the closing quarters but Sedbergh kept pushing, eventually being held up by this top class Blackrock defence, who held on for a superb 17-12 victory. Sedbergh went on to Croke Park for the Leinster v Munster game, making a real tour out of a wonderful experience. The cream of Irish and English rugby is indeed exceptional.
Wellington College are among the cream of the English game as well and they were on song on Saturday, bouncing back from last week’s defeat to Millfield to secure a very good 36-13 victory away at a strong Cheltenham College side, an ideal booster as they head into the St Joseph’s Festival aiming for the title they last won in 2019.
One of the results of the day was at Millfield, who are looking for a record 9th St Joseph’s Festival title, as they hosted Clifton College. Games between these two tend to be classics, who can forget last year’s dramatic late 43-41 Clifton victory. It wasn’t quite as high scoring this time but it was another classic in similar circumstances as Clifton College once again scored late in the day to take a thrilling 31-26 victory – a huge statement against a Millfield side that has been exceptional. They had to dig deep, both sides were superb, and indeed are superb, but once again at the death it was Clifton that came up trumps.
Arguably the game of the day was at Harrow, who trailed a superb Radley College side 21-0 at the break. Radley were looking every inch the top quality side they have been billed, but Harrow are a top class outfit as well and in the second half they turned the tables completely, earning a stunning 36-21 victory in one of the most bizarre games of rugby. Two halves that couldn’t have been more different, and all with little wind to speak of!
The midlands was a real hotbed of Ten to Watch action this weekend, and one of the biggest was the Rutland derby between Oakham and Uppingham. The feeling going into this one was that it was Uppingham’s best chance of victory in this game for some time, and it was looking like that could be on the cards in what was a fantastic game of rugby, a proper derby match filled with tension and drama. Try as Uppingham might though, it was Oakham that came out on top. The three time Cup champions were not about to let their rivals beat them on their own patch and with the game close they scored again to stretch out to a 20-14 lead and victory once again in the Rutland derby.
Not too far away from there, Stamford were looking to maintain their superb unbeaten season to date but faced a tricky fixture against a Rugby School side that has found their form. Stamford are too good to be cowed by another side’s form though and put in yet another fantastic display for a 26-7 victory, they are absolutely flying at the moment.
So too are Bromsgrove, who have got over a little wobble in form and found their groove again. On Saturday they travelled to Stowe, who have been playing great rugby this year, and demonstrated just that in a thrilling game for spectators. Both sides were scoring plenty of points but Bromsgrove took the victory 46-26.
Bromsgrove’s great rivals Warwick were also on song, they have been in great form and hosted a Bedford side that had regained confidence after a good victory over Dulwich College last time out. Warwick just had too much for the visitors, once again displaying the form of recent weeks to secure a good 22-14 victory.
Up at Merchiston Castle School the action at the Merchiston Castle U18 Festival was superb, with the likes of Glasgow Caledonians, Seaford College, Boroughmuir, and the hosts themselves all impressing in a fantastic two days of rugby. You can see our full tournament review here: Merchiston Castle School U18 Rugby Festival Review.
Ten to Watch Results
Blackrock College 17-12 Sedbergh
Brighton College v RGS High Wycombe – Cancelled
Cheltenham College 13-36 Wellington College
Harrow 36-21 Radley College
Merchiston Festival, Merchiston Castle Champions – LIVE
Millfield 26-31 Clifton College
Oakham 20-14 Uppingham
Stamford 26-7 Rugby
Stowe 26-46 Bromsgrove
Warwick 22-14 Bedford
Around the Grounds
Friday 11th October
Friday had some fantastic games of rugby, not least in Devon where Plymouth College and Mount Kelly played out an absolute thriller of a game, with both sides in try scoring form. Plymouth just had the edge though, winning 40-32.
A little further North, Pate’s Grammar won a really tight derby game against St Peter’s Gloucester 12-10. An absolutely fantastic Friday night contest. Meanwhile in Herefordshire Hereford 6th from College were exceptional en route to a 31-0 victory over King’s College Taunton. There was a big home victory in the South East for Dunottar, who were 49-14 victors over The Cedars. Meanwhile on flying form away from home were St George’s Harpdenden, who earned a brilliant 50-3 victory at Watford Grammar, likewise Claires Court, who were outstanding on their way to a 52-0 victory over St Joseph’s, Stoke.
Over in Coventry the big derby between Bablake and King Henry VIII was a great game, both sides showing plenty, but with Bablake having the edge for a 29-14 victory and the bragging rights.
Friday Results
Bablake 29-14 King Henry VIII Coventry
Dunottar 49-14 The Cedars
Hereford 6th form College 31-0 King’s College, Taunton
Pate’s Grammar 12-10 St Peter’s, Gloucester
Plymouth College 40-32 Mount Kelly
St Joseph’s College, Reading 0-52 Claires Court
Watford Grammar 3-50 St George’s Harpenden
Saturday 12th October
Saturday was an exceptional day, and in Yorkshire there were some exceptional games, not least at Grammar School at Leeds, where they hosted Woodhouse Grove in an absolute classic of a game. It could have gone either way but it was GSAL that edged it for an epic 33-31 victory.
It was a classic at St Peter’s York too, where 78 points were scored as they hosted Lancaster RGS. It was Peter’s with the edge though, scoring some absolute beauties along the way for a 48-30 victory. Hill House meanwhile continue to look utterly formidable. Once again they were in flying form as they secured a 40-19 victory at Crossley Heath.
Further South, Loughborough Grammar were in good form at home to Nottingham High School, winning 27-7, while over in Nottingham it was victory for Solihull over Trent College, 22-14, a fantastic result for Solihull.
Back up to the North West, Stonyhurst won a cracking contest with Scarisbrick Hall 12-10. Little wonder these two could hardly be separated, they have both been excellent. Sandbach had a good victory over Manchester Grammar, winning 35-12 while St Ambrose College travelled to Wirral Grammar and returned with a good 33-15 victory. Cheadle Hulme were good against King’s Macclesfield, winning 31-19, while Ellesemere College’s brilliance continues, this time with a superb 34-12 victory over Old Swinford Hospital,who will be at the John Fisher State Schools Festival this weekend coming.
Over in Shropshire, Haberdashers’ Adams were on fire, winning 50-7 against Oswestry, while in Worcestershire it was home defeat for RGS Worcester, missing out in a cracker against KES Birmingham 23-17, it was away joy for the brilliant King’s Worcester though, who returned from Malvern College with a 27-18 victory.
Over in Stratford, KES Stratford were on form over Aylesbury Grammar, who will be live on Wednesday at Shiplake College (2.30pm KO), winning 32-17. Oxford was a haven of schools rugby this weekend and there were a couple of really tight one, Abingdon winning 22-17 in a really great contest against St Benedict’s, and St Edward’s winning 14-12 over Oundle, again a fantastic contest. Magdalen College were meanwhile in sensational form as they sealed a stunning 50-3 victory over Portsmouth Grammar.
Across in Northampton, Northampton School for Boys and The Leys put on an absolute show on Saturday, both in free-flowing try scoring form as NSB took the victory, 46-32, but both took the plaudits. Over in The Leys’ native Cambridge, The Perse were in West Anglia Schools League action against Bedford Modern, another cracking game that saw The Perse edge it, 29-20. Meanwhile in Suffolk Felsted secured an important victory away at Framlingham College, and New Hall were in great form away at Royal Hospital School, winning 38-5.
Hertfordshire saw a really tight game at Bishop’s Stortford College as Sevenoaks, who had travelled up from Kent, just edged it 10-6. Mill Hill were meanwhile in absolutely stunning form at Haileybury, showing all of the quality for a superb 38-7 victory that will live long in the memory.
Merchant Taylors’ won one of the biggest game in the West Anglia Schools League, beating St Albans 10-0, an impressive result against a side that has been producing exceptional talent of late. QES Barnet were meanwhile on song at home to St Columba’s, winning 31-17, while Cardinal Vaughan won 22-12 at Latymer Upper.
In South West London, Hampton’s brilliant recent form continues, this time with a 29-10 victory at Halliford, while London Oratory were excellent ahead of Wednesday’s live game against The Oratory (7.30pm KO) as they defeated Tiffin 22-15 away from home.
Over in East London Campion were sublime, beating Langley Park 49-0, while in Croydon Whitgift were similarly brilliant, hosting Bishop Wordsworth’s and putting together a great performance to win 57-15. Along the road Trinity were also on song in a cracking game against KCS Wimbledon, winning 24-15
Life was busy in Kent, and Kent’s finest, Tonbridge, were superb in a huge home game against Eton College, winning by a highly impressive 50-7 margin. Maidstone Grammar were also flying, winning 43-12 at home to Cranbrook, while Tonbridge’s neighbours, The Judd, were also again brilliant, winning 29-0 at Chislehurst and Sidcup. There were some tight ones in the area too, Sir Joseph Williamson’s just held off Eltham College, 17-15, while Duke of York’s won a cracking game at Gravesend Grammar, 21-17.
Sussex was epic, Worth’s stunning unbeaten run of form continues with a hard earned 11-0 victory over Sutton Valence, while Christ’s Hospital hosted Embley in an unforgettable 36-36 draw.
Over in Surrey, Epsom College had to work their way through yet another tight game to maintain their unbeaten season, winning by a mere point over RGS Guildford, 15-14. They remain unbeaten, and are having to show a lot of grit at the moment. One of the best games was a brilliant Gordon’s v St Paul’s game, both sides in scoring for but Gordon’s always having the edge for a memorable and well earned 36-20 victory.
There was a good one in Reigate too as Reigate Grammar held off City of London Freemen’s for a 32-21 victory, meanwhile Caterham looked good in an 18-0 victory over St John’s Leatherhead, likewise Reed’s, who won 28-7 at home to Emanuel.
Hampshire saw the excellent Churcher’s College once again on song, beating Wimbledon College 37-14, meanwhile KES Southampton and Bryanston had a real scrap that just went the way of hosts KES, 15-14. Over in Dorset, Clayesmore have been looking good and were excellent for a 35-10 victory over Monkton Combe. Likewise Dauntsey’s, who have been brilliant at times, they were in great form again, winning 25-7 over Canford.
In Somerset Wellington School were outstanding at Downside, winning 44-7, and King’s Bruton were pretty brilliant on the road too, winning 33-7 at Warminster, likewise West Buckland, who won 31-13 at Wells Cathedral. KES Bath remain a side to watch, defeat Gloucestershire’s Dean Close in a close one, 12-7. Over in Gloucestershire, Sir Thomas Rich’s had one of their best displays of the season as they sealed a 33-17 victory over Bloxham.
Back in Bristol, QEH won a brilliant game away at Bristol Grammar, 20-17, while Collegiate went to Wales and returned with a strong 28-17 victory from Cathedral School Llandaff. Perhaps the games of the day though was a stunning one between Monmouth and Taunton School as they shared a whopping 90 points in an epic. It was a mad game, helter-skelter try-scoring fun, and the two could barely be separated. When the whistle went though, it was Taunton that were up, winning a classic 47-43.
There was just the one big schools game in Scotland aside from the Merchiston Festival, it saw Strathallan head to Fettes College and seal a 29-10 victory. They will now head to the St Joseph’s Festival this coming weekend with a real spring in their step.
Saturday Results
Abingdon 22-17 St Benedict’s
Bishop’s Stortford College 6-10 Sevenoaks
Bristol Grammar 17-20 QEH
Campion 49-0 Langley Park
Caterham 18-0 St John’s, Leatherhead
Cathedral School, Llandaff 17-28 Collegiate
Cheadle Hulme 31-19 King’s Macclesfield
Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar 0-29 The Judd
Christ’s Hospital 36-36 Embley
Churcher’s College 37-14 Wimbledon College
Clayesmore 35-10 Monkton Combe
Crossley Heath 19-40 Hill House
Dauntsey’s 25-7 Canford
Downside 7-44 Wellington School
Ellesmere College 34-12 Old Swinford Hospital
Epsom College 15-14 RGS Guildford
Fettes College 10-29 Strathallan
Framlingham College 10-19 Felsted
Gordon’s XV 36-20 St Paul’s
Grammar School at Leeds 33-31 Woodhouse Grove
Gravesend Grammar 21-27 Duke of York’s Royal Military
Haberdashers’ Adams 50-7 Oswestry
Haileybury 8-38 Mill Hill
Halliford 10-29 Hampton
KES Bath 12-7 Dean Close
KES Southampton 15-14 Bryanston
KES Stratford 32-17 Aylesbury Grammar
Latymer Upper 12-22 Cardinal Vaughan
Loughborough Grammar 27-7 Nottingham High
Magdalen College 50-3 Portsmouth Grammar
Maidstone Grammar 43-12 Cranbrook
Malvern College 18-27 King’s Worcester
Merchant Taylors’ 10-0 St Albans (West Anglia Schools League)
Monmouth 43-47 Taunton
Northampton School for Boys 46-32 The Leys
QES Barnet 31-17 St Columba’s College
Reed’s 28-7 Emanuel
Reigate Grammar 32-21 City of London Freemen’s
RGS Worcester 17-23 KES Birmingham
Royal Hospital School 5-38 New Hall
Sandbach 35-12 Manchester Grammar
Sir Joseph Williamson’s 17-15 Eltham College
Sir Thomas Rich’s 33-17 Bloxham
St Edward’s, Oxford 14-12 Oundle
St Peter’s, York 48-30 Lancaster RGS
Stonyhurst 12-10 Scarisbrick Hall
The Perse 29-20 Bedford Modern (West Anglia Schools League)
Tiffin 15-22 London Oratory
Tonbridge 50-7 Eton College
Trent College 14-22 Solihull
Trinity 24-15 KCS Wimbledon
Warminster 7-33 King’s Bruton
Wells Cathedral 13-31 West Buckland
Whitgift 57-15 Bishop Wordsworth’s
Wirral Grammar 15-33 St Ambrose College
Worth 11-0 Sutton Valence
Still to Come:
Altrincham Grammar v Lymm High
Austin Friars v Giggleswick
Blundell’s v Kingswood
Bolton v Wilmslow High
Bryanston 2nd XV v Milton Abbey
Clifton High v St Edward’s, Cheltenham
Hurstpierpoint College Triangular: Cranleigh, Hurstpierpoint, Marlborough College (Hurst 14-19 Cranleigh)
Ipswich v Gresham’s
King’s Canterbury v Eastbourne College
King’s Ely v RGS Colchester
Reading Blue Coat v Pangbourne College
Silcoates Tournament: Ampleforth College, Newcastle SfB, Rishworth, Silcoates, Yarm (Silcoates 0-17 Ampleforth College, Silcoates 12-19 Newcastle SfB, Silcoates 0-3 Rishworth, Silcoates 7-7 Yarm)
Stockport Grammar v Birkenhead
UCS v St Edmund’s College
Wallington County Grammar v St Olave’s Grammar
