With the season heading rapidly towards a close, this weekend was a huge one all across the country – for a huge variety of reasons.
For many sides it was a final home game of the season, while for a few select schools it was the last game of the entire season, so there was a huge amount of passion and emotion across those games. Other sides had unbeaten records on the line, and there were some key encounters on that front, while those in the latter stages of the knockout competitions had the tricky balancing act of keeping momentum high but also keeping rested.
A huge weekend then on many fronts, and for those that were playing in their last games hopefully a weekend full of memories, capping a season and a schools rugby career to remember.
Ten to Watch
Our Ten to Watch was certainly memorable, right across the board. Cranleigh remain unbeaten this season after an absolutely outstanding performance once again, beating Hurstpierpoint College by a staggering 55-6 margin. RGS Guildford are now the final obstacle between Cranleigh and an unbeaten season, and after a performance like Saturday’s, they are going to be at peak confidence.
Worth also remain unbeaten, but on Saturday, for the first time all year, they didn’t win. They travelled to a superb Churcher’s College side and despite scoring first they found themselves training 17-5. The unbeaten dream was about to go up in smoke but Worth dug deep and scored to tries to take a 19-17 lead hearing into the final few moments. Churcher’s have been outstanding themselves though, winning 8 from 10, and they showed their reserves of belief to scamper home for a late score and a 22-19 lead. With the game all but finished though, Worth earned a penalty and had a choice to make – gamble and go to the corner, going all out for victory, or take a tricky kick from distance for the draw and preservation of the record. They went for the sticks, nailing a tough kick, to earn a last gasp 22-22 draw and to maintain the stunning unbeaten record, with a game against Caterham and a Vase quarter final to come.
Ellesmere College are also unbeaten, and were set to play St Anselm’s College, however with both sides having midweek knockout commitments, Ellesmere in the Cup, St Anselm’s in the Vase, they each fielded 2ndXVs, rendering the 1st XV game cancelled, with St Anselm’s taking the 2nd XV game.
Also in midweek action in the Cup are reigning champions Harrow and three time winners Whitgift, they meet in the quarter finals on Wednesday. On Saturday, Harrow were at unbeaten Berkhamsted, and the quality of the two was obvious with each having some brilliant moments. Harrow took a 24-14 lead into the break, but Berkhamsted came roaring back in the second half and led 35-31 heading into the closing stages. However Harrow are on song right now and found a way to two late scores to take a 43-35 victory in their final block fixture of the term. It ends Berkhamsted’s unbeaten dream, but they have been outstanding all season – if Harrow are the only side to get the better of you outside of the St Joseph’s Festival, you’re a special side. Harrow will have to be equally good on Wednesday because Whitgift once again showed their quality in a brilliant 16-7 victory away to Epsom College, who were unbeaten through the first half of term. At this stage, Whitgift could claim to be the form side in the country, only Sedbergh have beaten them and since half term they have been utterly relentless. Wednesday will be huge. It was a tough one for Epsom, whose fixture list in this second half of term has been brutal.
Another side playing astonishing rugby, and that would have a serious claim to be the very best in the country this year, is Clifton College. On Saturday they hosted Seaford College and they one again put in a stunning display for a 44-13 victory in their final game again English opposition – their season concludes with a couple of crackers, Australia’s Sunshine Coast Grammer, and Ireland’s Terenure College. Seaford meanwhile conclude on Saturday against Tonbridge.
Tonbridge were in action on Saturday, but they were hosting another of the country’s best in the shape of Wellington College. Wellington’s win/loss ratio might not be sensational, but the reality is they have been within a whisker against Millfield, Clifton, and Sedbergh. They were superb on Saturday, earning a 35-19 victory, which you can read about here – Tonbridge v Wellington College – ahead of their final game of the season against Brighton College, which will be live here on NextGenXV.
Stamford had been heading towards an unbeaten season until a tough November schedule caught them out. On Saturday though they returned to winning ways in their penultimate game of the season with an incredibly gritty 21-19 victory over Oakham, who have been absolutely outstanding of late. Both now head into final games of the season at home, against Felsted and Oundle respectively.
After defeat at Millfield last week, Bromsgrove returned to the unbelievable form that they have been in all through this second half of term on Saturday at home to Marlborough College, winning by a staggering 70-10 margin. It is the third time in four games that they have passed sixty, and with a season concluding game against their great rivals Warwick on Saturday they must be beyond excited. It was a tough outing for Marlborough, who will hope to bounce back in their final game at Radley.
Denstone College’s penultimate game before heading to the NextGenXV Global Schools Challenge was at home against Kirkham Grammar, one of their toughest games of the season. Both sides were outstanding, but eventually Kirkham showed the quality that has seen them beaten just once this season outside of the St Joseph’s Festival, winning an entertaining game 43-25.
Ten to Watch Results
Berkhamsted 35-43 Harrow
Bromsgrove 70-10 Marlborough College
Churcher’s College 22-22 Worth
Clifton College 44-13 Seaford College
Cranleigh 55-6 Hurstpierpoint College
Denstone College 25-43 Kirkham Grammar
Ellesmere College v St Anselm’s College – Cancelled
Epsom College 7-16 Whitgift
Stamford 21-19 Oakham
Tonbridge 19-35 Wellington College
Friday 29th November
The only result in from Friday so far was a fantastic performance from The Oratory under the lights at Rams Rugby in Reading, where they hosted Pangbourne College. There was plenty of support and passion on the touchlines, but on the field The Oratory were simply irresistible for a superb 49-5 victory.
Friday Results
The Oratory 49-5 Pangbourne College
Saturday 30th November
Saturday was, simply, a brilliant day of school rugby as teams all over the country had some really memorable outings. Among them were some brilliant performances in Yorkshire. Woodhouse Grove have hit peak form towards the end of term an were superb on Saturday in a 27-7 victory away at a very good St Peter’s York side. Along the road at Hymers College, unbeaten QEGS Wakefield were given a real fright as they rotated ahead of their Cup quarter final with Ellesmere, but QEGS clung on for a 24-17 victory to keep the momentum up ahead of that game.
Ampleforth College have had one of their best seasons for a while and they are looking to finish with a flourish after an excellent performance on Saturday for a 37-0 victory over Dame Allan’s. Stonyhurst crossed the Pennines to take on Giggleswick, and returned home with an outstanding 47-0 victory, meanwhile King’s Macclesfield did likewise, but it was hosts Grammar School at Leeds that came out on top in an excellent game, 27-7.
Further North, Barnard Castle were absolutely fantastic at RGS Newcastle for a 39-7 victory, while Newcastle School for Boys had a cracking game against a Sedbergh XV, who just took it 29-24. Up in Scotland, Glenalmond College were excellent in a 40-24 victory over St Leonards, while the Glasgow derby went the way of Glasgow High, 36-12 victors over Glasgow Academy.
Back in England, and the North West of it, AKS Lytham came out on top in an incredibly tight game at Scarisbrick Hall, 10-5, both sides have been absolutely outstanding this year and deserve real praise. Lymm High School were excellent on Saturday in a 33-15 victory over Manchester Grammar, while outside of Liverpool Lancaster RGS were the visitors at Merchant Taylors’, and returned home with a good 24-10 victory. On the Wirral, Birkenhead took victory over Wirral Grammar in a tight game, 17-10.
Down in Birmingham, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar were sensational at KES Birmingham for a 57-7 victory, while Solihull enjoyed an excellent 32-5 victory over Solihull. Further South, KES Stratford and Princethorpe College had a really tight scrap, with Princethorpe’s try scoring making the difference for a 7-6 victory. Across at Malvern College, the hosts enjoyed a 20-12 victory against and RGS Worcester side that is going to be looking excitedly towards Sunday’s Modus Cup game v King’s Worcester, Live here on NextGenXV.
The Costwolds saw some excellence this weekend with a stunning 51-14 victory for Cheltenham College over Hartpury College Bulls, Cheltenham are in wonderful form at the moment. There was an epic between Sir Thomas Rich’s and Kingswood, a classic game that really could have gone either way, just going the way of the visitors, Kingswood, 26-25. Meanwhile Stonar were superb at Rendcombe College, winning 40-7.
Heading from Gloucestershire to Oxfordshire were King’s Gloucester, who just missed out in a cracking encounter at Bloxham, 29-22. Meanwhile in Oxford itself Magdalen College were impressive one again for a 38-10 victory over Shiplake College.
The Midlands was just an excellent place to be from a rugby point of view on Saturday. At Rugby School there was an astonishing game as Warwick came to visit ahead of both sides having midweek quarter finals. That hardly stopped either side though as they both three the kitchen sink at it in an epic, Warwick just coming out on top 28-26. Over in Leicestershire Ratcliffe College won 31-5 against Leicester Grammar, while in Northamptonshire Trent College were the visitors at Wellingborough and returned home after a hard fought game with a 17-12 victory. Along the road at Oundle there was another fantastic game as they welcomed Ipswich west along the A14. Both sides played some great stuff but it was Ipswich that came out on top, 34-24.
On the Northamptonshire/Buckinghamshire border was one of the results of the day as Uppingham travelled to Stowe. Stowe have been excellent at times this season, but on Saturday they hosted an Uppingham side that was playing its final game of the season and that was looking to complete an unbeaten second half of term. Both sides played some good rugby, but Uppingham were inspired for a 31-21 victory, wrapping up one of their best seasons for a long time. Over in Reading, Hampton were absolutely sensational in a morning kick off at Reading Blue Coat, earning a 48-15 victory that is a real sign of how good they have been through October and November in particular.
Hertfordshire saw St Albans just edge their derby game with Mill Hill in a fantastic encounter, both sides giving it their all as St Albans just took it 15-14. Meanwhile Bishop’s Stortford College were astonishing against St Edmund’s College, winning 50-5.
Travelling out of Hertfordshire to Bedfordshire were Haileybury, but Jamie George’s old school were unable to stop the recent Bedford School momentum as their hosts put in another good display for a 22-12 victory. Along the road at Bedford Modern, Campion were the visitors and once again were absolutely outstanding – as they have been for most of the season – putting in an outstanding performance for a 47-19 victory.
Over in Norfolk the huge derby between Norwich School and Gresham’s School went the way of Norwich in a really tough game, 26-12. Meanwhile in Cambridgeshire Worksop College travelled to Wisbech Grammar and put in a brilliant performance to win 50-10. Cambridge itself meanwhile saw a tight victory in a brilliantly tense game for Framlingham College at The Perse, 13-12, while travelling the other way were The Leys who were once again utterly brilliant for a 53-0 victory away at Royal Hospital School in Ipswich.
London was busy as always, and in North London RGS High Wycombe were back on the horse in more normal rugby conditions, winning 33-5 at Merchant Taylors’, an excellent performance. Meanwhile Watford Grammar were excellent at home against QES Barnet, winning 41-10, while UCS secured an excellent 36-5 victory over Fulham Boys.
London Oratory won an absolute thriller against Suffolk’s Finborough, a real epic that just saw London Oratory win out, 29-28. To the West, St Benedict’s were near enough untouchable against Tiffin, winning 50-5 and capping a recent series of performances that have just been superb. In the South West, meanwhile, St John’s Leatherhead won a fantastic encounter against KCS Wimbledon 15-14, a superb game on which to finish their home season, while at Emanuel it was visitors St George’s Weybridge that won an exciting game, 43-24.
In the South East Dulwich College looked inspired after they ended RGS High Wycombe’s unbeaten season last time out, winning by a staggering 59-5 margin over St Paul’s, they are absolutely flying towards the close of the season. Colfe’s were flying too, winning 52-17 against Coopers’ Coborn, a brilliant performance. Game of the day in South East London though was an epic at Ravens Wood where John Fisher came out on top in a high scoring, gritty, tense game of rugby, 30-29, a brilliant game.
Out in Kent, one of the results of the day was a hard earned home win for Maidstone Grammar against a strong Judd side, while Skinners’ were excellent in an exciting 35-21 victory at Sir Joseph Williamson’s. Duke of York’s Royal Military were excellent in a high scoring game at home against Sutton Valence, winning 48-24, while in Cranbrook it was King’s Rochester that came out on top in a close one, 19-12. King’s Canterbury were on song at home against Simon Langton Grammar, winning 25-10.
Travelling out of Kent were Sevenoaks, who just lost a fantastic game at Caterham, 15-10. Meanwhile Reed’s were on song at home against Reigate Grammar, who made them work hard, 24-10. Gordon’s were simply outstanding as they put in one of their best displays for a 77-0 victory over Royal Alexandra & Albert.
Travelling from Surrey were RGS Guildford, who head to Brighton College. An outstanding game unfolded, with the two sides level at 19-19, but Brighton College are made of stern stuff and found their way to a late try for a 24-10 victory to stay unbeaten since the half term break – they have been outstanding. Meanwhile at Christ’s Hospital there was a 29-7 home victory over the Eastbourne College 2nd XV. Over in Hampshire,Lord Wandsworth College won an absolutely fanstastic game at home against St Edward’s Oxford, 19-13, it’s been a good season for Lord Wandsworth’s. KES Southampton were on song against Embley, winning 36-13, while Wiltshire’s Bishop Wordsworth’s were excellent at Portsmouth Grammar for a 33-12 victory.
In Wiltshire itself, Bryanston were fantastic at Warminster for a 26-0 victory. Over in Dorset, meanwhile, Radley College showed their class once again with an excellent performance at Sherborne, winning 26-7. Meanwhile Claysmore won a tight one at home to Monkton Combe, 17-13.
Travelling out of Wiltshire were Dauntsey’s, they were in Bristol at Bristol Grammar School and it turned out to be a trip well worth making for them as they sealed an excellent 49-12 victory. Dauntsey’s have been outstanding this season. Things were tighter at Clifton High, who just edged QEH’s 2nd XV 23-17.
Over in Somerset, Millfield continue to look utterly formidable as they earned another strong victory over a highly rated school in the form of Monmouth this time, wining 41-19. They are going to be full of confidence heading into Wednesday’s LIVE game with Sedbergh. Millfield also had a 3rd XV in action, who were excellent for a 48-28 victory over the Westonbirt 1st XV.
Staying in Somerset, the Taunton derby was brilliant – Taunton School hosted King’s College Taunton and the two simply could not be separated, with the scores level at the end 14-14. In the end, a result that reflects well on both side. Things are reflecting well on KES Bath too, who were once again sublime on Saturday as they secured a 44-21 victory over Wellington School. It truly has been a season to remember for KES Bath. For Exeter School too, and it was a memorable away day in Cornwall for them on Saturday too as they travelled to Truro School and won an incredibly tight game by a 17-15 margin.
Saturday Results
Ampleforth College 37-0 Dame Allan’s
Bedford Modern 19-47 Campion
Bedford 22-12 Haileybury
Birkenhead 17-10 Wirral Grammar
Bishop’s Stortford College 50-5 St Edmund’s College
Bloxham 29-22 King’s Gloucester
Brighton College 24-19 RGS Guildford
Bristol Grammar 12-49 Dauntsey’s
Caterham 15-10 Sevenoaks
Cheltenham College 51-14 Hartpury Bulls
Christ’s Hospital 29-7 Eastbourne College 2nd XV
Clayesmore 17-13 Monkton Combe
Clifton High 23-17 QEH 2nd XV
Colfe’s 52-17 Coopers’ Coborn
Cranbrook 12-19 King’s Rochester
Duke of York’s Royal Military School 48-24 Sutton Valence
Dulwich College 59-5 St Paul’s
Emanuel 24-43 St George’s Weybridge
Embley 13-36 KES Southampton
Giggleswick 0-47 Stonyhurst
Glasgow Academy 12-36 Glasgow High
Glenalmond College 40-24 St Leonards
Gordon’s XV 77-0 Royal Alexandra & Albert
Grammar School at Leeds 38-24 King’s Macclesfield
Hymers College 17-24 QEGS Wakefield
KES Bath 44-21 Wellington School
KES Birmingham 7-57 Bishop Vesey’s Grammar
KES Stratford 6-7 Princethorpe College
King’s Canterbury 25-10 Simon Langton Grammar
London Oratory 29-28 Finborough
Lord Wandsworth College 19-13 St Edward’s, Oxford
Lymm High 33-15 Manchester Grammar
Magdalen College 38-10 Shiplake College
Maidstone Grammar 21-14 The Judd
Malvern College 20-12 RGS Worcester
Merchant Taylors’ 10-24 Lancaster RGS
Merchant Taylors’ 5-33 RGS High Wycombe
Millfield 41-19 Monmouth
Millfield 3rd XV 48-28 Westonbirt
Norwich 26-12 Gresham’s
Oundle 24-34 Ipswich
Portsmouth Grammar 12-33 Bishop Wordsworth’s
Ratcliffe College 31-5 Leicester Grammar
Ravens Wood 29-30 John Fisher
Reading Blue Coat 15-48 Hampton
Reed’s 24-10 Reigate Grammar
Rendcomb College 7-40 Stonar
RGS Newcastle 7-39 Barnard Castle
Royal Hospital School 0-53 The Leys
Rugby 26-28 Warwick
Scarisbrick Hall 5-10 AKS Lytham
Sedbergh 3rd XV 29-24 Newcastle School for Boys
Sherborne 7-26 Radley College
Sir Joseph Williamson’s 21-35 Skinners’
Sir Thomas Rich’s 25-26 Kingswood
Solihull 32-5 Loughborough Grammar
St Albans 15-14 Mill Hill
St Benedict’s 50-5 Tiffin
St John’s Leatherhead 15-14 KCS Wimbledon
St Peter’s, York 7-27 Woodhouse Grove
Stowe 21-31 Uppingham
Taunton 14-14 King’s College, Taunton
The Perse 12-13 Framlingham College
Truro School 15-17 Exeter School
UCS 36-15 Fulham Boys
Warminster 0-26 Bryanston
Watford Grammar 41-10 QES Barnet
Wellingborough 12-17 Trent College
Wisbech Grammar 10-50 Worksop College
Still to Come:
Bolton v King William’s College
Canford v Blundell’s
Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar v Gravesend Grammar
Felsted v St Joseph’s College
Langley v King’s Ely
Northampton School for Boys v Old Swinford Hospital
Prior Park College v King’s Bruton
RGS Colchester v New Hall
Riddlesdown Collegiate v Langley Park 2nd XV
Sandbach v Altrincham Grammar
St Lawrence College v Chatham & Clarendon Grammar
Stockport Grammar v St Mary’s College
Trinity v Eton College
