The first full weekend after the half term break arrived with plenty of expectation, and it delivered in spades with some outstanding games and some of the results of the season.
With both Friday and Saturday packed with action it was always likely to be a weekend to remember, so often the first one after the break is, and so it proved.
Ten to Watch
The Ten to Watch proved spectacular, with some terrific contests and some of the performances of the season. Unfortunately out live game at Haileybury saw coverage end early with the hosts 19-0 up against St Edward’s Oxford, an injury to a Teddies player necessitating a change of pitch. Teddies had defended doggedly but some terrific attacking play from Haileybury, allied to some excellent kicking as well, saw them secure a highly impressive 33-7 victory. All of our best wishes are with the injured St Edward’s player and we wish him a safe and speedy recovery.
Arguably the result of the day, came at Warwick, where they met a Sedbergh side that has arguably been the best in the country this season. Expectation was that Warwick, who were really good in the weeks leading up to half term, would give Sedbergh a good game but would do very well to get a result out of the game. Nobody gave the hosts that script though as they edged a brilliant battle 26-24, with a handy 16 points from Tom Whorrod, recording a first victory over Sedbergh in 8 years and a first defeat for the visitors by an English side this season.
Clifton College have arguably been Sedbergh’s closest challengers this season, and they were up against another of the season’s strongest sides in the form of Wellington College. The two went at it hammer and tong, but the hosts just edged it 19-12 for another mightily impressive victory.
Right up there in the impressive victory ranks were Cranleigh, who continue their unbeaten season. They hosted Epsom College, themselves unbeaten until Cup defeat to Harrow in midweek, in what was one of the biggest games of the season for both. So it proved in a fantastic contest between the two, just edged by Cranleigh 24-18 to keep them unbeaten and cementing their status as one of the very best in the country. Harrow meanwhile made it back to back victories over top opposition on Saturday when they hosted a superb Tonbridge side. It was a real tight and hotly contested affair, but Harrow got the job done for a 12-8 victory.
Another unbeaten side that is up there with the best in the country are RGS High Wycombe, the St Joseph’s Festival finalists. They hosted another of the St Joseph’s Festival attendees, Seaford College. Seaford have been competitive all season long and were so again on Saturday, but RGS are getting very close to unstoppable this season as they backed up their dramatic heroics in the Cup from midweek with a 32-21 victory on Saturday.
Worth are also unbeaten, and having a good knockout campaign after progressing in the Vase in midweek. On Saturday they hosted Eastbourne College, who are playing superbly in this 125th anniversary year. Playing superbly they may be, but at the moment it takes more than superb to stop Worth, who are looking absolutely outstanding and extended their unbeaten season on Saturday with a 34-14 victory.
As ever, Millfield are one of the best in the country this season but they were given a big fright by an excellent Cheltenham College side on Saturday. Both sides scored three tries in an outstanding contest that saw some brilliant rugby, but conversions proved vital as Millfield just edged things 24-20 to get this second half of term off to a winning start. An important one for Millfield, but also one that Cheltenham College will take real heart from after pushing one of the best in the country all the way.
It was derby day at Abingdon as they hosted Radley College, who have demonstrated that they are a top class side so far this season. Abingdon have exploded out of the traps in this second half of term though, almost defeating RGS High Wycombe in midweek, and on Saturday that form continued as they gave Radley a real game. Their rivals are excellent though and weathered the storm for a 36-24 victory – this Radley side is one to pay attention to through the second half of term.
Our Ten to Watch went up to Scotland this weekend for the unbeaten head to head between George Watson’s College and Merchiston Castle. Both have been outstanding this season, almost untouchable, but one way or another that had to change on Saturday. So it proved in an awesome contest that saw both sides play some stunning rugby. Merchiston simply had too much though, the boys in blue have been immense this season and were at their flowing best again on Saturday for a 40-24 victory. With a Cup quarter final coming up in midweek and their own Festival title in the bag already, this is shaping up to be a season to remember for Merchiston.
Ten to Watch Results
Abingdon 24-36 Radley College
Clifton College 19-12 Wellington College
Cranleigh 24-18 Epsom College
George Watson’s College 24-40 Merchiston Castle
Haileybury 33-7 St Edward’s, Oxford
Harrow 12-8 Tonbridge
Millfield 24-20 Cheltenham College
RGS High Wycombe 32-21 Seaford College
Warwick 26-24 Sedbergh
Worth 34-14 Eastbourne College
Friday 8th November
Friday was a big day right across the country, but in Northamptonshire there was one crucial game as Stamford looked to hold onto their unbeaten record this season away at Oundle. Oundle were outstanding, pushing this excellent Stamford side all the way but somehow the visitors found a way to get the job done and maintain the unbeaten record with a 29-23 victory. Along the road at Wellingborough, it was again the visitors edging a tight one, Princethorpe College winning 19-12.
Without doubt, Kirkham Grammar School are one of the best in the country this year, and on Friday they really pushed themselves with a trip to Northern Ireland to take on Methodist College Belfast. Kirkham were, as they have been time and time again this season, outstanding, as they sealed a 31-5 victory.
The other cross-border fixture on Friday was in Wales at Cathedral School Llandaff, where Hereford 6thfrom College sealed an impressive 24-10 victory. Across the border in Bristol there was an epic contest as Collegiate and Bristol Grammar went head to head. Both side chucked everything at it in a cracking contest, but the hosts, Collegiate, just edged it 36-27. The action was even closer in Kent, where Maidstone Grammar just kept Sutton Valence at bay for a 26-24 victory. A fantastic game and a great advert for schools rugby.
One of Friday’s best performances was from Denstone College, who were in utterly fantastic form in their first game of this second half of term, hosting King’s Macclesfield and earning a superb 36-3 victory.
Friday Results
Cathedral School, Llandaff 10-24 Hereford 6th form College
Collegiate 36-27 Bristol Grammar
Denstone College 36-3 King’s Macclesfield
Maidstone Grammar 26-24 Sutton Valence
Methodist College, Belfast 5-31 Kirkham Grammar
Oundle 23-29 Stamford
Wellingborough 12-19 Princethorpe College
Saturday 9th November
Saturday saw some extraordinary rugby, not least from Ellesmere College, who maintain their unbeaten record after an absolute outstanding performance, one of a number this season. They were at Calday Grange Grammar and secured a superb 64-14 victory.
They were far from the only outstanding performers in the North West this weekend. Scarisbrick Hall have been superb through most of the season and were so against on Saturday with a 43-17 home victory over Hutton Grammar, and Lymm High were also in superb home form with a 42-5 victory over Wirral Grammar. Lancaster RGS were astonishingly good, winning 61-0 at home against Giggleswick.
On song in the North West away from home were Manchester Grammar, who won 33-19 at Altrincham Grammar, a strong effort. Likewise St Ambrose College, who were outstanding away at Sandbach for a 43-8 victory. Meanwhile one of the most highly anticipated games of the day was at Stonyhurst, where they hosted another former giant, Ampleforth College. The two played like giants, pushing each other all the way but Stonyhurst just had the better of things, winning 36-22.
Up in Scotland, Strathallan continued their impressive St Joseph’s Festival form with a 45-7 victory over Dollar Academy, while Fettes College pulled off one of their best results of the season with a 10-7 victory at Edinburgh Academy, a great momentum builder ahead of the Cup quarter final in midweek. Marr College were outstanding on Saturday in a thriller at Glasgow High, winning 52-31, while Hutchesons’ Grammar were also in form on the road in Glasgow, beating Glasgow Academy 44-17.
Back across the border in England there were some classics. Perhaps nowhere more so than at Barnard Castle, where St Peter’s York were the visitors in an epic that ended in a thrilling 31-31 draw. Things were almost as exciting at Woodhouse Grove, where they hosted Durham in a classic that just went the way of the hosts, 25-20. Things were tight at Pocklington too, with Worksop College doing well for a 15-10 away win.
Further South, at Nottingham High School, Solihull were excellent in a high scoring game that ended up 59-24 in their favour. A joyous game of rugby for the spectator. Heading in the opposite direction were Trent College, who travelled to RGS Worcester. The hosts were in excellent form after the half term break, winning 32-12. King’s Worcester were also in top form, as they have been all season, beating a superb Monmouth side 38-20, one of their best results of the season.
Bromsgrove were astonishing. They have been excellent at times this season but on Saturday they were on another level altogether in a sensational performance against Rugby School, winning by a staggering 62-14 margin. There was a completely different style of game at KES Stratford where they and Oxford’s Magdalen College played out an epic, with the visitors just edging it 33-31. Over in Oxfordshire, Bloxham played well to defeat the John Fisher Festival champions Old Swinford Hospital 18-14.
Over in Coventry, opposition from Leicestershire was the order of the day. King Henry VIII hosted Leicester Grammar and won a high-scoring game by an impressive 51-24 margin, while Ratcliffe College struck back for Leicestershire at Bablake, winning a tight one 19-12.
Over on the edge of Leicestershire, in Rutland, Oakham were on song in a cracking game against Bedford, winning 36-21. Their great local rivals Uppingham were also in victorious form as they claimed a 35-14 victory in Norfolk over a good Gresham’s side. Travelling from Norfolk were Wymondham College, who were outstanding at Wisbech Grammar for a 34-19 victory.
In Cambridge itself, The Leys won the big derby game again The Perse, a fantastic 43-21 victory. Over in Suffolk, Framlingham College were superb against Bishop’s Stortford College for a 38-0 victory, while Ipswich were on song against Norwich, winning 31-21.
Travelling from Suffolk to Essex were Culford, but they met an RGS Colchester side that was in peak form for a stunning 55-7 victory. There were a couple of thrillers in the area, notably St George’s Harpenden winning 38-31 at New Hall, and Bishop’s Stortford High School winning an epic at Brentwood 38-34.
Travelling from London to Essex were Eltham College, and they returned from Coopers’ Coborn with a stunning 52-0 victory. Over in London, and North London in particular, Mill Hill were once again brilliant en route to a superb 42-20 victory over a very good Northampton School for Boys side. Watford Grammar won a tight one at UCS, 13-12, while QES Barnet had a tough day at the office, St Albans’ 2nd XV beating them 57-17. Meanwhile Richard Hale travelled in from Hertfordshire for a well fought 19-10 victory at Merchant Taylors’.
Travelling out of London were St Benedict’s, who were in Henley for a thriller at Shiplake College. Both sides threw everything at it up St Benedict’s came out on top, 28-24. Over in Buckinghamshire, Berkhamsted faced on of their toughest Saturday fixtures to date with a trip to the excellent Stowe. It played out like that too, both sides had their chances and played some great rugby but Berkhamsted just took the spoils, 24-19. Over in Berkshire meanwhile, Reading Blue Coat had a day to remember at The Oratory, winning 12-0.
Back in London, and the South West of it, Emanuel were outstanding in a 45-0 defeat of City of London Freemen’s. Their 2nd XV had a tougher outing, going down 40-5 at Ibstock Place, who were excellent.
St Paul’s and Eton College often have a game full of rivalry and it was another tight battle between them on Saturday. It was the Barnes side, St Paul’s, that came out on top though, earning a 27-21 victory. Over in Wimbledon, Wimbledon College welcomed a Skinners’ side that was right at their very best – the visitors were superb for a 46-15 victory.
Over in Croydon there were some very noteworthy games. Whitgift were ruthless in a massive game against a Dulwich College side that has troubled some of the very best around, winning 54-13. Along the road at Trinity came one of the games of the day, with Hampton the visitors. The two could hardly be separated but Hampton, who have made a bit of a habit of late of emerging well from tight game, took the victory 25-24.
Staying in South East London, Sir Joseph Williamson’s will be very happy with a 33-14 victory from their trip to Langley Park, while Gravesend Grammar were also victorious on the road, winning 24-5 at St Olave’s Grammar.
Travelling out of London to Kent were Campion, who gave arguably their best display of the season for an outstanding 31-18 victory at The Judd, a side that have troubled some of the very best around. Another outstanding side in Kent is Ravens Wood, they were victorious again, winning 15-0 at Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar. Also winning on the road were Duke of York’s Royal Military, who earned a 31-17 victory at St Lawrence College. Sevenoaks meanwhile were excellent at home against King’s Canterbury, winning 28-3.
In Sussex, Brighton College showed some of the form that was in evidence at the St Joseph’s Festival as they beat St John’s Leatherhead 38-19. A strong start to the second half of term. Back in St John’s native Surrey, RGS Guildford were in stunning form in a brilliant display against Reed’s for a 52-0 victory. Meanwhile Gordon’s were also excellent, putting in a top performance against a good Regiate Grammar side for a 42-21 victory.
Hampshire saw Churcher’s College once again in good form, they have been excellent this year, beating John Fisher 20-3. Meanwhile Ryde enjoyed a 31-12 victory over St Joseph’s College Reading.
One of the great games of the day was in Dorset, where Marlborough College just edged out Sherborne in an epic game of rugby. It was a spectacular one for the neutral, and a glorious one in the end for Marlborough, who won 34-32. Clayesmore meanwhile hosted King’s Bruton in another thrilling game, and once again it was the visiting side that came out victorious, King’s Burton winning 39-24. Over in Wiltshire, Warminster were exceptional, winning 56-14 against Westonbirt.
There were some exceptional performances in Gloucestershire too, not least from Dean Close who were truly outstanding en route to a 62-5 victory over Malvern College. Sir Thomas Rich’s were not far off that level either in a brilliant 47-10 victory away at Pate’s Grammar. Wycliffe College were also in high spirits on Saturday after a 27-7 victory over Prior Park College. Travelling from Gloucestershire were The Crypt, who met a QEH side that were in flying form for a 39-5 victory.
Talking of flying form, KES Bath have been utterly brilliant all season long and on Saturday they were again as they hosted Beechen Cliff and took a 35-19 victory. Taunton School were also in great form, they played some wonderful rugby against a good Canford side for a 54-10 victory. Their great rivals King’s College Taunton were on the road, but it was their hosts that will have been the happier after a cracking game, Exeter School winning 29-17.
Saturday Results
Altrincham Grammar 19-33 Manchester Grammar
Bablake 12-19 Ratcliffe College
Barnard Castle 31-31 St Peter’s, York
Bloxham 18-14 Old Swinford Hospital
Brentwood 34-38 Bishop’s Stortford High
Brighton College 38-19 St John’s, Leatherhead
Bromsgrove 62-14 Rugby
Calday Grange Grammar 14-64 Ellesmere College
Chislehurst & Sidcup 0-15 Ravens Wood
Churcher’s College 20-3 John Fisher
Clayesmore 24-39 King’s Bruton
Coopers’ Coborn 0-52 Eltham College
Dean Close 62-5 Malvern College
Edinburgh Academy 7-10 Fettes College
Emanuel 45-0 City of London Freemen’s
Exeter School 29-17 King’s College, Taunton
Framlingham College 38-0 Bishop’s Stortford College
Glasgow Academy 17-44 Hutchesons’ Grammar
Glasgow High 31-52 Marr College
Gordon’s XV 42-21 Reigate Grammar
Gresham’s 14-35 Uppingham
Ibstock Place 40-5 Emanuel 2nd XV
Ipswich 31-21 Norwich
KES Bath 35-19 Beechen Cliff
KES Stratford 31-33 Magdalen College
King Henry VIII Coventry 51-24 Leicester Grammar
King’s Worcester 38-20 Monmouth
Lancaster RGS 61-0 Giggleswick
Langley Park 14-33 Sir Joseph Williamson’s
Lymm High 42-5 Wirral Grammar
Merchant Taylors’ 10-19 Richard Hale
Mill Hill 42-20 Northampton School for Boys
New Hall 31-38 St George’s Harpenden
Nottingham High 24-59 Solihull
Oakham 36-21 Bedford
Pate’s Grammar 10-47 Sir Thomas Rich’s
Pocklington 10-15 Worksop College
QEH 39-5 The Crypt
QES Barnet 17-57 St Albans 2nd XV
RGS Colchester 55-7 Culford
RGS Guildford 52-0 Reed’s
RGS Worcester 32-12 Trent College
Ryde 31-12 St Joseph’s College Reading
Sandbach 8-43 St Ambrose College
Scarisbrick Hall 43-17 Hutton Grammar
Sevenoaks 28-3 King’s Canterbury
Sherborne 32-34 Marlborough College
Shiplake College 24-28 St Benedict’s
St Lawrence College 17-31 Duke of York’s Royal Military
St Olave’s Grammar 5-24 Gravesend Grammar
St Paul’s 27-21 Eton College
Stonyhurst 36-22 Ampleforth College
Stowe 19-24 Berkhamsted
Strathallan 45-7 Dollar Academy
Taunton 54-10 Canford
The Judd 18-31 Campion
The Leys 43-21 The Perse
The Oratory 0-12 Reading Blue Coat
Trinity 24-25 Hampton
UCS 12-13 Watford Grammar
Warminster 56-14 Westonbirt
Whitgift 54-13 Dulwich College
Wimbledon College 15-46 Skinners’
Wisbech Grammar 19-34 Wymondham College
Woodhouse Grove 25-20 Durham
Wycliffe College 27-7 Prior Park College
Still to Come:
Bryanston v Blundell’s
Caterham v St George’s Weybridge
KCS Wimbledon v Hurstpierpoint College
Lord Wandsworth College v Pangbourne College
Loughborough Grammar v KES Birmingham
RGS Newcastle v Dame Allan’s
St Anselm’s College v Merchant Taylors’
Stewart’s Melville v Dundee High
Stockport Grammar v Bolton
Wallington County Grammar v Halliford
Wellington School v Monkton Combe
Wrekin College v Haberdashers’ Adams
