It was another outstanding weekend of school rugby this weekend, and one that saw some huge outcomes in the context of the season as a whole.
There were unbeaten records at threat, major head to heads, knockout games, silverware on the line, and plenty more on a weekend that thrilled from start to finish.
It included a whole day of live rugby here on NextGenXV at Saracens’ StoneX Stadium as Mill Hill and Finborough met across the age-groups, with the U14 As, U15 As, 2nd XVs, and 1st XVs all in action. You can re-live it all on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel and through the embedded video below.
Ten to Watch
Our Ten to Watch lived up to expectation and more, and it all began on Friday with some outstanding contests. At the University of Bath unbeaten KES Bath took on local rivals Kingswood, who have also been excellent. It was always likely to be KES’ toughest test to date, but Kingswood made it even tougher with an outstanding performance for a 31-17 victory. An outstanding effort from Kingswood.
Over at Hereford RFC the annual Apple Cup took place as Hereford 6th form College and Hereford Cathedral met in front of what was estimated to be about 2,500 spectators – and extraordinary effort and a ringing endorsement for the passion and quality of schools rugby and the support it holds. On the field the rugby was excellent, entertaining that bumper crowd. It was Hereford 6th form College that pulled away for victory though, winning 24-10 to win back to back Apple Cups – the first time either side has done so since before the pandemic.
There was another massive Ten to Watch game on Friday night as RGS Newcastle and Durham met at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park, with the Richard Metcalfe Cup on the line. Durham arrived as favourites as they sought to retain the title after last year’s 24-13 victory, which had ended a run of nine in a row for RGS. That favourites tag proved app as Durham performed superbly for a 31-3 victory in front of a packed crowd – it was a magnificent occasion, with both sides coming together in the end in a real show of sportsmanship.
The great action continued on Saturday, and in our live day of action at StoneX, Mill Hill and Finborough treated us to something special. The day kicked off with a thrilling draw between the U14s, before a good Finborough victory for the U15s, and a strong performance from the Mill Hill 2nd XV. When the 1st XVs rolled around then, the crowd had built and both sets of supporters were buoyed and ready. Mill Hill started brilliantly to take a 10-0 lead, but Finborough came roaring back with a couple of scores to level things at 10-10, setting up a grand finale in the final few minutes. It had been an epic contest, either side could have nicked it, but a brilliant break from Mill Hill scrum half Harry Visick set up a platform to get the ball into the hands of their excellent skipper Ryan Jones, who released England wing Noah Calouri to finish in the corner for a brilliant 15-10 victory for the host side. It was an epic contest, a heartbreaker in the end for Finborough, an ending of joy for Mill Hill, but in the end a day to remember for both sets of players – from U18 right the way down to U14.
Cranleigh have been astonishing this season, and they have started this second half of the season in hugely impressive form with victories over outstanding sides in Harrow and Epsom College. On Saturday they had another huge test, travelling to a Hampton side that has been outstanding in recent weeks. Such is the Cranleigh form at the moment though that Hampton could not stop the train as Cranleigh worked well for a 22-7 victory that maintains this stunning unbeaten record.
One of the closest to stopping Cranleigh has been Brighton College, and they were again impressive on Saturday. They travelled to Epsom College, who have had an astonishingly difficult start to the second half of term, with Cranleigh, Harrow, and now Brighton College all in a row. They were determined after defeats to the former two and it made for an incredibly intense game of rugby, but in the end Brighton College showed real quality to emerge victorious, 20-12.
Arguably the game of the day was at Cheltenham College, where they hosted Sherborne – one of the great historic schools rugby fixtures. They did that history justice with an absolute epic. Both arrived after really narrow defeats last week but impressive performances all the same, and they brought that form to the game. It was a classic as both sides threw everything at it, but Cheltenham just managed to edge it, 27-24, to send them into Thursday night’s clash with Sir Thomas Rich’s at Kingsholm Stadium with real momentum – a game that will be live here on NextGenXV, 7.30pm KO.
In Rutland there was a really special day as Uppingham hosted a ‘Celebration of Rugby’ day, with an old boys game, followed by a Prep School game, culminating in a 1st XV fixture against the founders of the game, Rugby School. Rugby were determined after a tough outing last time out, but Uppingham had a spring in their step after a brilliant performance against Gresham’s last week, and they made that confidence count with a superb 35-17 victory in front of a packed out crowd on L1.
There was an epic up in Yorkshire too as two of the best in the business went head to head, QEGS Wakefield and Woodhouse Grove. Both arrived in form after victories over Durham, QEGS in particular who have won every game this season outside of the St Joseph’s Festival. That form shone through as both sides put in incredibly determined and quality performances, but QEGS just held that edge that they have all season for a 23-17 victory.
Like QEGS, RGS High Wycombe are also unbeaten outside of the St Joseph’s Festival this season – and they reached the final there for the second time in a row. They travelled to Old Swinford Hospital, winners of the John Fisher State Schools Festival and a fantastic team. It was therefore a real sign of RGS’ quality that they secured a superb 34-7 victory on Saturday to extend the unbeaten record and cement their status as one of the very best around.
Ten to Watch Results
Cheltenham College 27-24 Sherborne
Epsom College 12-20 Brighton College
Hampton 7-22 Cranleigh
Hereford 6th form College 24-10 Hereford Cathedral (Apple Cup)
KES Bath 17-31 Kingswood
Mill Hill 15-10 Finborough – Live on NextGenXV
Old Swinford Hospital 7-34 RGS High Wycombe
QEGS Wakefield 23-17 Woodhouse Grove
RGS Newcastle 3-31 Durham (Richard Metcalfe Cup)
Uppingham 35-17 Rugby
Friday 15th November
There are still a few key results from Friday to come in, but those that are in were crucial too. Scarborough College travelled to Mount St Mary’s College in the Continental Tyres Schools Plate, with a place in the quarter finals against last year’s Cup quarter finalists Ipswich on the line. It was an incredibly tight contest, but Scarborough came out on top, winning 15-7 to set up that trip to Ipswich at the start of December.
Yarm meanwhile were in Yorkshire to take on Giggleswick and put in one of their best performances of the entire season for an outstanding 57-10 victory, one to remember for the former Schools Vase champions.
Friday’s most extraordinary result though was at Northampton School for Boys, where they hosted Warwick. A fortnight ago NSB lost 40-12 to Sedbergh, last week Warwick beat Sedbergh, and yet on Friday NSB beat Warwick with an outstanding performance, 27-5. That is the topsy-turvy world of schools rugby in the 2024/25 season – it is entirely open and unpredictable. The big games keep on coming for these two, Warwick will want to dust themselves off quickly ahead of a Schools Cup regional final against Stamford on Wednesday, while NSB face Whitgift on Friday – who are also in high spirits.
Friday Results
Giggleswick 10-57 Yarm
Mount St Mary’s College 7-15 Scarborough College (Plate)
Northampton School for Boys 27-5 Warwick
Saturday 16th November
The outstanding rugby just kept on flowing on Saturday, and one of the biggest stories of the day emerged at Bedford School where they hosted the unbeaten Stamford, a side that has been a fixture in the Top 10 so far this season. It was an absolutely epic contest, but when the music stopped it was Bedford that were on top, earning a thrilling 31-28 victory in a game that had people talking from across the country.
That was not the only headline grabbing result of the day either, Oakham were on the road at Radley College, another side that has been regarded as one of the best in the business this year. It was another outstanding contest, but the visitors found a way to victory by a converted score, 24-17 for arguably their most significant result of the season.
Oxfordshire also saw the continued recent brilliance of Bromsgrove, where simply outstanding at Bloxham, as they had been against Rugby last week, en route to a stunning 62-10 victory. Midlands sides were making a big of a statement, and Stowe were next up, heading to Northamptonshire to take on Oundle and earning a truly brilliant 66-26 victory, brilliant from Stowe. King’s Worcester have been consistently outstanding and were so again on Saturday with a brilliant 66-3 victory over Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, meanwhile neighbours RGS Worcester were also in stunning form, winning 46-14 at KES Stratford.
It was not just the Midlands where we saw brilliance though, in the South West some of the best in the business were strutting their stuff. Clifton College were away at Blundell’s, Blundell’s gave their very best but Clifton are almost impossible to live with for most at the moment as they sealed a 55-24 victory. They are looking handy ahead of Saturday’s live game against Blackrock College here on NextGenXV. Millfield were also on song, winning 43-19 against Taunton School, a performance that will mean a lot with big games coming up.
Elsewhere in Somerset, Wells Cathedral were also excellent, earning a brilliant 41-12 victory over Milton Abbey. Along the road, King’s Bruton were victorious over Monkton Combe, meanwhile King’s College Taunton earned a 26-13 victory over QEH. Over in QEH’s Bristol, Collegiate were on song, winning 36-12 against Prior Park College.
Gloucestershire had some cracking games, not least King’s Gloucester winning 38-20 against Malvern College, meanwhile Pate’s Grammar won 29-11 against The Crypt. Travelling from the area were Dean Close, who showed their outstanding recent form against one of the first half of term’s best, Monmouth, winning 31-17.
Up in Birmingham, Bablake were fantastic in a high scoring affair at KES Birmingham, winning 45-21, while in Shropshire Scarisbrick Hall once again showed their class in a fantastic 31-10 victory at Haberdashers’ Adams.
Staffordshire meanwhile saw Denstone College continue their fantastic November form with a 36-0 victory over Solihull. Further North, King’s Macclesfield were back to winning ways in an excellent 19-0 victory at home against Stonyhurst, meanwhile Altrincham Grammar were outstanding against The Grange, 54-12. Birkenhead meanwhile had a great day at home against the Isle of Man’s King William’s College, winning 45-17.
Up in Scotland, George Watson’s College bounced back from last week’s defeat to Merchiston Castle in style, winning 51-12 at Fettes College, an outstanding performance. Over in Glasgow, Glasgow Academy won 25-7 over St Aloysius’ College, while Hutchesons’ Grammar were outstanding in a 48-10 victory over Glasgow High.
Back in England, Barnard Castle were outstanding, earning a brilliant 55-0 victory over Pocklington. In Yorkshire meanwhile, St Peter’s York won an epic with Grammar School at Leeds, where both sides threw the kitchen sink at it. It could have gone either way, but St Peter’s took it, 24-21. Ampleforth College were also on song, earning a 36-14 victory over a Mount St Mary’s College XV.
Futher south, Nottingham High School had a strong day at Leicester Grammar, winning 38-12, while Loughborough Grammar had a strong performance to win 33-17 over Princethorpe College. Ratcliffe College meanwhile won an epic against Cambridgeshire’s Wisbech Grammar, 24-22. Over in Cambridgeshire, Wellingborough won a cracker 36-26 at King’s Ely, while in Suffolk the brilliant Kirkham Grammar School were made to work incredibly hard by St Joseph’s College, it created a fantastic game, with Kirkham winning 36-28. Along the road, Framlingham College earned a good 36-10 victory at Royal Hospital School, while Ipswich were on the road at Felsted an secured a good 19-8 victory.
Across in Hertfordshire, Berkhamsted showed their quality once again in a strong away performance against a good Haileybury side, winning 33-14. It was victory on the road for Richard Hale too, winning 28-12 at Bishop’s Stortford College. St Albans were also on song with an impressive 28-7 victory at home against St George’s Harpenden, ideal preparation for this week’s huge game against Mill Hill.
In North London, UCS were superb against Brentwood for a 36-7 victory, while there was an epic at Watford Grammar School, with London Oratory edging one of the games of the season, 40-36.
Over in the west and south west, Whitgift were at St Paul’s and showed their quality and the strength of their recent form in a 40-8 victory. They have been near enough untouchable in this second half of term. KCS Wimbledon were also near enough untouchable, earning a stunning 60-8 victory over Tiffin, while Churcher’s College lived up to their recent billing with a fantastic 33-0 victory over Halliford.
St Benedict’s put in a strong performance for a 28-12 victory over St John’s Leatherhead, while Reed’s were at Wimbledon College and returned home after a good display with a 28-5 victory. Latymer Upper won an epic contest against Fulham Boys, a game that was right in the balance, 20-19. Cardinal Vaughan meanwhile won 26-10 at Claremont Fan Court.
Over to the East, Campion were astonishing once again – their form has been outstanding of late and they earned a brilliant 43-3 victory over John Fisher. Further South East, The Judd were at Langley Park and won a high scoring contest with a strong display, 40-21. Eltham College were truly at their best on Saturday in a stunning 52-0 victory over The Cedars, and the same could be said of Colfe’s, who earned a 43-10 victory over King’s Rochester. Winning on the road though were Maidstone Grammar School, a magnificent performance to beat St Olave’s 47-0.
Wallington County Grammar had an epic contest with Gravesend Grammar and just emerged victorious by the most slender of margins, 22-21. Chislehurst & Sidcup meanwhile also won a close one, 20-14 against New Hall.
Kent was home to some brilliant games of rugby, and one of the best of the lot saw to giant names of schools rugby go head to head, Tonbridge and Dulwich College. Dulwich threw everything at it, but the hosts had enough to take the game, Tonbridge winning 38-30 in a day to remember for the spectators. Along the road at Skinners’ was an even tighter one as RGS Guildford came to town and held their hosts to an epic 28-28 draw. Down in Canterbury, King’s Canterbury won 15-10 at home against Sir Joseph Williamson’s.
Over in Sussex Hurstpierpoint College hosted a Trinity side that had showed really promising signs in a tight defeat to Hampton last time out. On Saturday that promise came to fruition with a fantastic performance for a 33-19 victory. Caterham meanwhile were excellent at the home of a strong Eastbourne College side, winning 21-7, while Christ’s Hospital were on song, winning 28-10 at home against City of London Freemen’s.
In Surrey, the Worth sensation continues. They continue their remarkable unbeaten season to date with a 22-14 victory at St George’s Weybridge, Worth are looking close to unstoppable now. There was a classic in Reigate too as Shiplake College travelled to Reigate Grammar and sealed a 12-12 draw.
Over in Berkshire, Abingdon converted their run of great performances but near misses with a fantastic victory away at Eton College, winning a cracking game 33-26. Also visiting the area from Oxford were Magdalen College, but it was to be their hosts, Reading Blue Coat, that took victory, winning 24-7. The Oratory were meanwhile outstanding in a cracking game against Gordon’s, earning a 43-28 victory.
Hampshire’s Lord Wandsworth College meanwhile earned victory in Berkshire, beating the Wellington College 2nd XV 26-10. Over in Hampshire it was draws all over as Embley and Ryde held each other to a 25-25 draw, and Portsmouth Grammar were held 17-17 by Dorset’s Bryanston.
Over in Dorset, Seaford College were the visitors to Canford. Seaford have had one of the toughest fixture lists around and were on the hunt for a morale boosting victory, and that was exactly what they got as they sealed an excellent 33-19 victory. In Wiltshire, meanwhile, Dauntsey’s have been outstanding all season and were so again in a fantastic 46-0 victory over Clayesmore. Bishop Wordsworth’s meanwhile won a cracker with Pangbourne College, winning by a converted try for a 24-17 victory.
Saturday Results
Altrincham Grammar 54-12 The Grange
Ampleforth College 36-14 Mount St Mary’s College 2nd XV
Barnard Castle 55-0 Pocklington
Bedford 31-28 Stamford
Birkenhead 45-17 King William’s College
Bishop’s Stortford College 12-28 Richard Hale
Bishop Wordsworth’s 24-17 Pangbourne College
Bloxham 10-62 Bromsgrove
Blundell’s 24-55 Clifton College
Campion 43-3 John Fisher
Canford 19-33 Seaford College
Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar 20-14 New Hall
Christ’s Hospital 28-10 City of London Freemen’s
Claremont Fan Court 10-26 Cardinal Vaughan
Colfe’s 43-10 King’s Rochester
Collegiate 36-12 Prior Park College
Dauntsey’s 46-0 Clayesmore
Denstone College 36-0 Solihull
Eastbourne College 7-21 Caterham
Eltham College 52-0 The Cedars
Embley 25-25 Ryde
Eton College 26-33 Abingdon
Felsted 8-19 Ipswich
Fettes College 12-51 George Watson’s College
Glasgow Academy 25-7 St Aloysius’ College
Haberdashers’ Adams 10-31 Scarisbrick Hall
Haileybury 14-33 Berkhamsted
Halliford 0-33 Churcher’s College
Hurstpierpoint College 19-33 Trinity
Hutchesons’ Grammar 48-10 Glasgow High
KCS Wimbledon 60-8 Tiffin
KES Birmingham 21-45 Bablake
KES Stratford 14-46 RGS Worcester
King’s Bruton 29-10 Monkton Combe
King’s Canterbury 15-10 Sir Joseph Williamson’s
King’s College, Taunton 26-13 QEH
King’s Ely 26-36 Wellingborough
King’s Gloucester 38-20 Malvern College
King’s Macclesfield 19-0 Stonyhurst
King’s Worcester 66-3 Bishop Vesey’s Grammar
Langley Park 21-40 The Judd
Latymer Upper 20-19 Fulham Boys
Leicester Grammar 12-38 Nottingham High
Loughborough Grammar 33-17 Princethorpe College
Millfield 43-19 Taunton
Monmouth 17-31 Dean Close
Oundle 26-66 Stowe
Pate’s Grammar 29-11 The Crypt
Portsmouth Grammar 17-17 Bryanston
Radley College 17-24 Oakham
Ratcliffe College 24-22 Wisbech Grammar
Reading Blue Coat 24-7 Magdalen College
Reigate Grammar 12-12 Shiplake College
Royal Hospital School 10-36 Framlingham College
Skinners’ 28-28 RGS Guildford
St Albans 28-7 St George’s Harpenden
St Benedict’s 28-12 St John’s, Leatherhead
St George’s Weybridge 14-22 Worth
St Joseph’s College 28-36 Kirkham Grammar
St Olave’s Grammar 0-47 Maidstone Grammar
St Paul’s 8-40 Whitgift
St Peter’s, York 24-21 Grammar School at Leeds
The Oratory 43-28 Gordon’s XV
Tonbridge 38-30 Dulwich College
UCS 36-7 Brentwood
Wallington County Grammar 22-21 Gravesend Grammar
Watford Grammar 36-40 London Oratory
Wellington College 2nd XV 10-26 Lord Wandsworth College
Wells Cathedral 41-12 Milton Abbey
Wimbledon College 5-28 Reed’s
Still to Come:
AKS Lytham v Bolton
Dundee High v St Leonards
Merchant Taylors’ v St Ambrose College
Newcastle School for Boys v Austin Friars
RGS Colchester v Coopers’ Coborn
Sutton Valence v Cranbrook
Wellington School v Exeter School
West Buckland v Mount Kelly
Wirral Grammar v Lancaster RGS
Wycliffe College v Downside
