After a long half term break, our Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend returns for Week 8 following the first full week of action since half term.
It was one of the most packed weekends of the season, and some of the performances reflected that. The likes of Stamford, RGS High Wycombe, Worth, and Ellesmere College extended their unbeaten regular seasons, likewise Kirkham Grammar School, who travelled to Northern Ireland and won.
Clifton College showed their quality once again, likewise Harrow, Radley, and Millfield, though Tonbridge, Abingdon, and Cheltenham College showed plenty in defeat too. Haileybury were superb in our live game only for the live element to be cut short owing to injury.
Denstone College were excellent, likewise KES Bath – has there been a point this season where they have not been? A similar statement could be made of King’s Worcester.
The likes of Dean Close, Eltham College, Lancaster RGS, Lord Wandsworth College, RGS Colchester, RGS Guildford, Taunton School, Warminster, and a superb Whitgift side were all in elite point-scoring mode over the weekend. Meanwhile Woodhouse Grove, Hampton, and St Paul’s all impressed in hard-fought victories.
The list of impressive performances just goes on, Blundell’s were excellent, so too Caterham and Emanuel, Lymm High and St Ambrose College, Scarisbrick Hall and Skinners’. It was that kind of weekend. The Leys came close to the Top 5 with a derby victory in a high scoring game against The Perse, likewise Mill Hill with a 42-20 victory over Northampton School for Boys – look out for Mill Hill LIVE here on NextGenXV this Saturday.
Only five can make it to the Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend though!
Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend: Week 8
Bromsgrove
Bromsgrove have been excellent season under the captaincy of Jack Gilbert, so much so that they were definitely strong favourites against Rugby School on Saturday. However what nobody saw coming was the scale of victory that they achieved, a 62-14 win that will have made many sit up and take real notice. A tremendous performance from Tony Windo’s side.
Campion
An away trip to The Judd is one of the toughest assignments around, the Kent state school side have pushed some of the biggest names in the game all the way – notably local rivals Tonbridge. Both they and Campion had appeared at the John Fisher Festival and The Judd had the better weekend of the two, however on Saturday Campion showed real spirit, quality, and determination as Michael McDarby’s side took a 31-18 victory. It was an outstanding performance, adding to an outstanding regular season that has seen only Harrow get the better of them. Some effort indeed.
Cranleigh
It has been some start to the second half of term for Cranleigh, facing two brilliant sides back to back. Last weekend they came from behind to beat previously unbeaten Harrow by a point. This weekend they faced Epsom College, who were unbeaten until they lost to Harrow in the Cup in midweek. It was a tight game but John Andrews side came through it for a 24-18 victory, maintaining their unbeaten record, that now reads P10 W10, and further cementing their status one of the best handful of teams in the country this year.
Merchiston Castle
It would take someone bold now to say that Merchiston Castle are not the best side in Scotland after they backed up triumph at their own Festival with a victory over their closest rivals for the claim this year, George Watson’s College. It was a tremendous performance for a 40-24 victory, that means they remain unbeaten – whilst also inflicting a first defeat on George Watson’s. It also handed Merchiston the title in their Inspiresport Boy’s U18 National Schools Conference. Next up is a Scottish Schools Cup quarter final against Bell Baxter in midweek. Could a treble be on the cards for Rodday Deans’ side?
Warwick
Without doubt Warwick had their best result of the season on Saturday, perhaps the best of anyone this season, as they beat Sedbergh 26-24. Most acknowledged Sedbergh as one of, if not the, best sides in the country this year but David Hesketh’s side found a way to victory over the bosy in brown for the first time since 2016 on Saturday. It is the high water mark in a remarkable turnaround this season, they had a wobbly start to it but have been outstanding since recovering from that early trouble with six wins in seven games. Saturday will live long in the memory for all involved.
