The draws have been made for the quarter final and semi final stages of the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup and Plate competitions.
The quarter finals remain drawn on a regional basis, with the North and Midlands sections drawn together, likewise the London & South East and the South West sections – though in the case of the Cup the quarter finals have, by chance, ended up drawn with the North sides together, Midlands sides together, London & South East together, and the South West teams together.
The North/Midlands and London & South East/South West split will remain for the semi finals stage, meaning that they have effectively already been drawn as well. Quarter Finals are due to take place on the week of the 2nd December, while the Semi Finals are currently scheduled for the week beginning 24th February.
Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup Quarter Finals
1 QEGS Wakefield v Ellesmere College
2 Stamford/Warwick v Northampton School for Boys
3 RGS High Wycombe v Kingswood
4 Whitgift v Harrow
It’s a who’s who of Cup legends in the Cup quarter final draw, with reigning champions Harrow heading to 2010, 2011, and 2019 Champions Whitgift, who also shared the title in the cancelled 2020 tournament.
RGS High Wycombe are currently unbeaten and will be aiming for a maiden title, having reached the final in 1999 and 1998. They host a Kingswood side that has been excellent over the past couple of years and would love a bit of silverware to show for it.
QEGS Wakefield have reached the final on five separate occasion but are yet to win it, however they will be feeling confident having not lost a 70 minute game all season. They host an Ellesmere College side though that is having an historic season, they are unbeaten and knocked out the 2024 and 2022 finalists, Kirkham Grammar School, in their regional final. A huge quarter final.
One quarter final is yet to be fully confirmed, unbeaten Stamford have yet to play their regional final against the 2018, 2017, and 2007 champions Warwick, who beat Sedbergh last week. That’s a huge game and the winner will fancy their chances of going all the way. First though, they will have a massive quarter final at home to 2013 finalists Northampton School For Boys, whose 2023 U15 champions are now in the L6th in that squad – they are a side to watch.
Continental Tyres U18 Schools Plate Quarter Finals
1 St Anselm’s College v Rugby
2 Ipswich v Mount St Mary’s College/Scarborough College
3 Blundell’s v Dauntsey’s
4 Skinners’ v St John’s Leatherhead
It’s a top quality set of sides in the Plate as well, which includes the founders of the game, Rugby School, heading up to the Wirral to take on a St Anselm’s College side that has been having a wonderful season.
Blundell’s reached the Cup semi finals last year, this year they are in the Plate but will be eyeing up achieving that silverware. First though they have a home quarter final against a Dauntsey’s side that has been superb so far this year.
Skinners’ are renowned as having one of the toughest grounds to visit, so they will be delighted with a home quarter final draw, where they will be hosting a St John’s Leatherhead side that has been looking good in this competition.
As in the Cup, one Plate quarter finalists is yet to be decided – Mount St Mary’s College, the 2022 winners, host Scarborough College today in their regional final. The winners have a tough quarter final, travelling to last year’s Cup quarter finalists, Ipswich. That will be a huge game.
