The First round of the newly constructed RFU ACE League has gotten underway. Here are all the results from the opening set of fixtures, with some big results as well as some important away performances for some of the top sides in the competition.
North Area Pool 1
Bishop Burton 40-43 Stourport High
A real classic in East Yorkshire, as Stourport just about got the edge in the end against the home side. This new northern tier may be too close to call this season, and both these sides may well be in the upper echelons of the table when all is said and done. They may want to consider tightening things up at the back.
Myerscough 12-60 Loughborough
A big win for the newly rebranded Loughborough ACE set up. Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club was treated to a dominant performance by the former Brooksby College side. Loughborough are coming at this new northern tier full force, with Gosforth next on the horizon.
Oaklands College 14-29 Gosforth Academy
Speaking of Gosforth, it was a winning away day to start their campaign. Gosforth, who had 12 players in the starting 15 of the Newcastle Red Bulls academy team in the opening round of the NextGen Prem, have a powerful squad. Oaklands will offer much more going forward this campaign, in perhaps the tightest division of the 4.
South Area Pool 1
Bishop Wand 22-34 Beechen Cliff
A good start away from home for the Bath academy side, who finished third overall in last year’s competition. In fact, all of last year’s top 4 reside in this division, including bishop wand, who were defeated by Beechen Cliff at finals day last season. Beechen got one over on Bishop again here, with a comfortable victory.
Hartpury College 47-12 Newman College
Last season’s defeated finalists, Hartpury, got off to an industrial start against Cardinal Newman. The 4ED stadium is one of the best venues in the competition, and a very decent home crowd allowed the Acorn Forwards to take the game away from a talented Cardinal Newman team. Gloucester back-rower Oscar Churchhouse was named Man of the Match, as the rolling maul already looks a dangerous weapon for the men in red.
Truro College 19-20 Gordon’s
There was a lucky escape for last year’s champions down in Cornwall, as Gordons were taken right to the wire by Exeter’s Ace side, Truro. It was a long journey out west for Gordons, who still managed to secure victory as they attempted to defend their title. It was a good performance for Truro, who will likely be in the relegation battle in Tier 1 this season, such is the strength of the remaining top 4.
North Area Pool 2
Ashton on Mersey 21-58 Coventry College
Despite the RFU’s initial claim that this game was postponed, Coventry have since published the results – a big win away from home. Coventry may well be the strongest new addition to the northern divisions, and number 8 Charlie Carpenter was named man of the match in their first outing in the ACE League. Next week, Ashton takes on Wath Academy, while Coventry has another fortnight before they can continue their campaign.
Bede Academy 52-21 Wath Academy
Newcastle Red Bulls’ new ACE team got off to winning ways, making it a good weekend for the rebranded PREM club. The 4 new sides in this competition are all unknown quantities, but Coverntry looked sharp in Pre-season at the Hartpury festival, so the likes of Bede will need to be in top form as they chase promotion.
South Area Pool 2
Exeter College 77-10 Richard Huish
There is an almighty showdown brewing in the southern tier 2. The seeded sides in this competition will go into each game confident and raring for promotion. Exeter College, who will be even more seething about their closest rivals in Truro riding high in Tier 1, vented a fair amount of that frustration in this game against Richard Huish. The Bristol Bears’ newest ACE side has some talented players, but they were not at their best in round 1.
SGS College 66-5 Peter Symonds’
Another big win for a recently relegated side, as SGS got off to a fine start at home. It will be a tough season for the two new unseeded teams in this high-quality division, and with a week off from league play next week, SGS will then be served their toughest test of the season when they play the City of Oxford College.
The ACE League returns next week, and you can find the full fixture list via this Link: https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?competition=1664&season=2025-2026&division=66041#fixtures
