Weekend 3 of the schools rugby season certainly delivered on expectations, with some outstanding performances, shock results, and a huge amount learned as we head into the final weekend of the opening month.
In driving rain in certain part of the country, performance levels remained high and some fantastic clashes emerged across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
It was also a weekend that changed the narrative that had begun building at the start of the season around big one-sided games, it was indeed early season unpredictability, with form now beginning to look settled, this was a weekend of true competitiveness.
Ten to Watch
The Ten to Watch action began on Friday night, and among it was a LIVE Oxford Derby at the University of Oxford’s historic Iffley Road ground, where St Edward’s Oxford and Magdalen College School met. The stands were absolutely packed and a raucous atmosphere developed, as good as any in the school game. On the field the players were inspired, particular St Edward’s, who built on their early season promise to seal a strong 37-10 victory. The blue side of Oxford is looking very strong indeed.
Elsewhere on Friday there was action at Havant RFC as Seaford College welcomed Taunton School, a hugely competitive game was expected and so it proved as these two that are each knocking on the door of the very best gave it everything. Seaford College took the victory, 20-12, but both impressed, as you can see in our report from the game: Seaford College 20-12 Taunton School, Report.
The third Friday night game of our Ten to Watch was at the superb setting of Loughborough University, where Oakham and Woodhouse Grove met. Both have had strong starts to the season, with each facing some strong sides and putting in top performances. On Friday night both gave it everything, but it was Oakham that came out on top after a quite excellent performance that saw them seal a brilliant 31-14 victory.
On Saturday two of the very best in the country went head to head as Harrow hosted Wellington College. Both arrived unbeaten, having won against Clifton College and Dulwich College in Harrow’s case and Berkhamsted and Whitgift in Wellington’s. This was another massive test and it was one that both sides at points outstandingly rose to. Wellington started like a house on fire, only for Harrow to come roaring back for a 21-19 lead. By this point it felt like anything could happen, but it was Wellington College that closed out for a 36-28 victory, a huge moment for them and significant in the season. You can read our full report here: Harrow 28-36 Wellington College.
Arguably the most significant result of the weekend came at Cranleigh on Saturday, the side who had won their opening two games of the season in an astonishing manner, scoring over 100 points and not conceding a single one. They hosted Mill Hill, a side with huge promise but one that had been stung in their opening game by the brilliance of Northampton School for Boys. Pre-game, this felt like one that would teach us plenty, and by the end of it lessons had certainly been dished out as Mill Hill sealed a sensational 24-19 away victory. It shows the sheer quality of Mill Hill, that they and Cranleigh both sit at the top table, it also highlights just how brilliant NSB are, given what they did to Mill Hill. A sensational game of rugby, it could have gone either way, it now really opens up the season.
Radley College have plenty expected of them this season, and so far they are living up to the hype. They backed up a tight opening victory last weekend with a superb away performance on Saturday, heading to Marlborough College and picking up an impressive 36-10 victory. Credit to Marlborough though, this is a very good side and they fronted up well to the challenge. There is plenty to come from both this season.
Two sides that have started the season brilliantly are Kingswood and Sherborne, so when they met on Saturday it felt as though it would be a fairly seismic clash. So it proved as both sides threw everything at the game in a compelling contest. Sherborne were excellent at times, but at the moment it seems that nobody is stopping the Kingswood train as they played magnificently well for a 28-17 victory and to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Also maintaining an unbeaten start were Sir Thomas Rich’s, who faced a hugely tough challenge on Saturday as they welcomed a King’s Worcester side that has been utterly dominant to date. Unsurprisingly, therefore, both sides played some brilliant rugby at times as they looked to maintain their excellent starts, however it was the home side that strung the most together as they secured a 38-24 victory. These two, you sense, are going to have plenty written about them over the course of the season – two excellent sides.
Up in Yorkshire two other excellent sides met as St Peter’s York hosted QEGS Wakefield. Both side had started the season well but this felt like the toughest challenge yet for both of them. They each gave it a good crack and home side St Peter’s impressed, however QEGS rose to the challenge and played some fantastic rugby for what ultimately proved a 27-17 victory. A big statement from QEGS, which bodes well for the weeks ahead, but St Peter’s will not be too down, they are an excellent side as well.
Speaking of excellence, there was plenty of that on a rare Sunday kick off as Sedbergh hosted Clifton College in an 88 point thriller. Clifton arrived off the back of a defeat to Harrow followed by a brilliant victory over Llandovery College, Sedbergh meanwhile welcomed them in rampant form, having scored over 120 points in their two games to date, victories over Whitgift and Denstone College. Sunday’s game felt like one that was between two of this year’s very best, and from the off that became apparent with some stunning running rugby. Clifton played some excellent stuff, but throughout it was apparent that this Sedbergh side is something special as they played some truly glorious rugby en route to a thrilling 54-34 victory. It is going to take something very special to stop Sedbergh this season. Clifton, meanwhile, have an early chance to bounce back – they will be LIVE on Thursday in the annual Ryan Bresnahan Memorial game, hosting Kirkham Grammar School at Clifton RFC on the NextGenLive YouTube Channel.
Ten to Watch Results
Cranleigh 19-24 Mill Hill
Harrow 28-36 Wellington College
Kingswood 28-17 Sherborne
Marlborough College 10-36 Radley College
Oakham 31-14 Woodhouse Grove
Sedbergh 54-34 Clifton College
Sir Thomas Rich’s 38-24 King’s Worcester
St Edward’s, Oxford 37-10 Magdalen College – LIVE
Seaford College 20-12 Taunton School
St Peter’s, York 17-27 QEGS Wakefield
Friday 19th September
Aside from the games in our Ten to Watch on Friday, there were some brilliant contests all over the country. Up at Darlington Mowden Park Dame Allan’s and Barnard Castle met in a fantastic game with a brilliant atmosphere. Dame Allan’s have started this year excellently, but Barnard Castle’s away win at Woodhouse Grove suggested they are a very good side and so it proved on Friday night as they sealed an impressive 20-10 victory.
One of the games of the day, indeed the weekend, was St Joseph’s College’s trip to take on Uppingham. Both have started the season in promising fashion and they each displayed that on Friday in a brilliant contest that swung this way and that, and that was ultimately decided by a single try as St Joseph’s just took the victory 31-26.
In the South East, Trinity bounced back brilliantly from a tough outing last weekend to seal a thrilling 35-28 victory over Langley Park. Meanwhile on the other side of town St John’s Leatherhead’s impressive start to the season continues as they sealed a 26-18 victory over a strong St George’s Weybridge side.
In the South West, Mount Kelly, Truro School, and Wellington School featured in a triangular competition, and it was Truro that finished up on top, enjoying a strong 24-0 victory over Wellington, and showing real grit to come through against Mount Kelly, 11-10.
Friday Results
Dame Allan’s 10-20 Barnard Castle
St John’s Leatherhead 26-18 St George’s Weybridge
Trinity 35-28 Langley Park
Uppingham 26-31 St Joseph’s College
Truro School 11-10 Mount Kelly
Truro School 24-0 Wellington School
Saturday 20th September
Saturday was a brilliant day of action all over the country, with some utterly superb performances and some results that leave the season ahead looking wide open. As already mentioned, this felt like the weekend that blew the season wide open. One such was at Berkhamsted, where Haileybury were the visitors. Both have won and lost games already this season and came in probably thinking that this was a good opportunity to lay down a marker. What unfolded was an epic game of rugby, a true contest that could go either way. In the end it was Haileybury that took it, 37-34, a fantastic effort from them against recent history – it makes the weeks ahead for both utterly fascinating.
Hertfordshire had some pretty interesting stuff all round, with St Benedict’s travelling up with plenty of form behind them to take on a St Albans side that has been so good in recent years. What unfolded though was outstanding from St Benedict’s, who sealed a statement 41-15 victory.
One of the most impressive sides this season has been Northampton School for Boys. They are unbeaten and have been pretty sensational in every game. This weekend they travelled to take on King’s Macclesfield, and they put in another excellent performance. Credit to King’s Macclesfield though, who played well to stay relatively in touch, the superb NSB winning 33-14.
One side likely to challenge NSB at the top end this year are Kirkham Grammar School, they flexed their muscles ahead of Thursday’s LIVE game against Clifton College (Live on the NextGenLive YouTube Channel) with a stunning 64-7 victory over Lancaster RGS. Elsewhere in the area, Ellesmere College showed the form of last year with a stunning 42-0 victory away at Scarisbrick Hall, highlight impressive from Ellesmere. Stonyhurst were also in brilliant form with a 24-0 victory over Bradford Grammar.
There was an epic draw between Sandbach and Cheadle Hulme, 19-19, while Lymm High School were impressive at Stockport Grammar for a 19-7 victory, and Bolton enjoyed a tight 15-7 victory over Manchester Grammar.
In the North East Durham were utterly sensational en route to a 47-0 victory over Newcastle School for Boys, Durham are looking very strong this year. Also looking strong are Yorkshiremen Scarborough College, who maintained their excellent September with a hard earned 19-10 victory over Pocklington.
South Lincolnshire is going to be a place to keep an eye on this year because Stamford are looking very strong. They faced a confident Bedford Modern side on Saturday and secured a hugely impressive 34-7 victory. Meanwhile down in Northamptonshire Wellingborough were in flying form against KES Stratford, securing a 43-10 victory.
Stowe continue to impress, a side to watch without a shadow of a doubt. They were in action at home against Solihull and put in a brilliant display for a 45-13 victory. Over in Oxford, meanwhile, there was an epic at Bloxham, where Abingdon continued their brilliant start to the season with a 30-24 victory. Both sides have started the year in fine fashion. Henley saw an excellent performance from Shiplake College as they sealed an exciting 42-21 victory over Windsor Boys’. Meanwhile Aylesbury Grammar won a tight one against Pangbourne College, 13-7.
Out to the west, the was a really exciting game at Bablake, where Princethorpe College just won out 19-17. Meanwhile Old Swinford Hospital enjoyed a victory over Oswestry, and Bishop Vesey’s Grammar impressed in a 26-12 victory over Loughborough Grammar.
Malvern College were on form on Saturday, earning a 28-12 victory over Wrekin College. Meanwhile travelling from the area were Bromsgrove, who crossed the border to Wales to take on Monmouth, with both sides looking to bounce back after defeat the week before. Both competed hard, but it was the visitors that claimed victory, winning 34-12. Also travelling to Wales were Bristol Grammar, however it was the Welsh hosts that sealed the win in this one, Cathedral School Llandaff winning a tight one 17-12.
Back in Bristol, QEH hosted Exeter School, who travelled up from Devon and put in a fantastic performance for a 28-7 victory. Back in Devon, Blundell’s hosted King’s College Taunton, and the hosts put in an excellent performance, as they have been early this season, for a 36-7 victory.
In King’s Taunton’s native Somerset, KES Bath continue to be outstanding, putting in another fantastic performance for a 31-14 victory over Canford, the rise of KES has been superb. There was derby action along the road at Downside, where they just edged out Prior Park College in a hugely intense game, winning 14-12. Travelling from Somerset were Taunton’s 2nd XV, they were at Westonbirt and sealed a hugely impressive 21-5 victory. Along the road, meanwhile, Pate’s Grammar were on song, winning 26-19 against Hereford Cathedral School.
In Wiltshire they was a fantastic game as Dauntsey’s just held off KES Southampton for a 15-10 victory. Meanwhile in Hampshire Ryde sealed a 33-19 victory over St Joseph’s, Reading.
Game of the day in Hampshire though saw Reed’s head to Churcher’s College and secure a thrilling 45-30 away victory. An epic contest that left both sides with plenty to be excited about. Back in Surrey, Seaford College displayed their depth, their 2nd XV earning a 55-21 victory at Gordon’s.
Along the A3, KCS Wimbledon’s fantastic start to the season continues, but they had to work oh so hard for it as they just held off RGS Guildford for a 19-13 victory. Tiffin meanwhile edged out Halliford by the tightest of margins, 8-7, while their 2nd XV hosted a Claremont Fan Court side that was in good form, winning 27-10. London Oratory meanwhile won a cracker against Emanuel, 36-26.
St Paul’s hosted Tonbridge in a real classic schools rugby clash, and so it proved to be on the field as well, with the two sides almost inseparable – an epic contest that finished 26-23 to Tonbridge, maintaining an excellent start to the season from them. Meanwhile, Epsom College remain looking like one of the best around as they put in a fantastic display again for a 46-5 defeat of Lord Wandsworth College. Fidelis College won a close one, edging Fulham Boys 7-0.
South East London saw some brilliance, and chief among it came in Croydon where Whitgift showed their stunning quality for a 52-20 defeat of a good Hurstpierpoint College side. Whitgift’s start to the season is so challenging that it can be easy to forget just how good they are – Saturday demonstrated that. Their great rivals and neighbours John Fisher were also in great form, defeating Wimbledon College 44-17 to inject real confidence. Meanwhile full of confidence at the moment are Reigate Grammar School, who further demonstrated that on Saturday in a 32-5 defeat of Eltham College.
Travelling out of South East London were Dulwich College, who had endured a tough start to the season and knew a big performance would be required against a Brighton College side looking to quickly bounce back after defeat last week. Brighton were determined, and showed plenty of quality despite some adverse weather conditions to seal an impressive 33-10 victory, demonstrating their quality. Some green shoots for Dulwich College too though.
Over in Kent, Ravens Wood showed that they are most definitely to be taken seriously as they sealed a 21-10 victory at The Judd, no mean feat at all. It was one of a number of impressive displays on the road in Kent, Skinners’ were brilliant for a 48-5 victory at Maidstone Grammar, while Gravesend Grammar continue to win admirers with a 36-14 victory at Sevenoaks.
Caterham bounced back brilliantly from midweek defeat for a 33-14 victory at King’s Canterbury, while Duke of York’s Royal Military keep on impressing as they sealed a 26-7 victory at Cranbrook. Things were closer at Dartford Grammar, the hosts just holding off Chislehurst & Sidcup for a 20-17 victory.
Up in Essex, Felsted were in stunning form at New Hall, winning 57-7 to confirm their quality. It was similar along at Coopers’ Coborn too, where Richard Hale were, as so often, brilliant en route to a 66-14 victory. Further North, Bishop’s Stortford College were in excellent form against King’s Ely, earning a 33-7victory. There was an impressive display from Norwich, too, who were outstanding against The Perse en route to a 40-17 victory.
Down in Suffolk, Ipswich bounced back from last week’s defeat to NSB with a performance that showed their quality, winning a fantastic game against a Campion side coming off the back of victory over Brighton College. A 19-14 victory for Ipswich with plenty to take from it for both sides.
Back in Campion’s native London, Merchant Taylors’ and St George’s Harpenden played out one of the games of the weekend, a classic that could have gone either way, MTS just holding out for a 22-21 victory. Along the road, UCS were in excellent form, winning 43-14 against QES Barnet.
In Scotland, Edinburgh Academy had to be very good indeed against a High School of Dundee side that has been excellent thus far, and they were, sealing a 48-24 victory at home. Meanwhile Marr College were also impressive in a 36-7 victory over St Aloysius’ College. The Glasgow derby, meanwhile, was a classic with 74 points shared between Glasgow Academy and Glasgow High School, with Academy winning out 41-33, one for the ages.
Saturday Results
Bablake 17-19 Princethorpe College
Berkhamsted 34-37 Haileybury
Bishop Vesey’s GS 26-12 Loughborough GS
Bloxham 24-30 Abingdon
Blundell’s 36-7 King’s College, Taunton
Bolton 15-7 Manchester GS
Brighton College 33-10 Dulwich College
Cathedral School, Llandaff 17-12 Bristol GS
Churcher’s College 30-45 Reed’s
Coopers’ Coborn 14-66 Richard Hale
Cranbrook 7-26 Duke of York’s RMS
Dartford GS 20-17 Chislehurst & Sidcup GS
Dauntsey’s 15-10 KES Southampton
Downside 14-12 Prior Park College
Durham 47-0 Newcastle School for Boys
Edinburgh Academy 48-24 Dundee HS
Eltham College 5-32 Reigate GS
Epsom College 48-5 Lord Wandsworth College
Fidelis College 7-0 Fulham Boys’
Glasgow Academy 41-33 Glasgow HS
Gordon’s 21-55 Seaford College 2nd XV
Ipswich 19-14 Campion
John Fisher 44-17 Wimbledon College
KCS Wimbledon 19-13 RGS Guildford
KES Bath 31-14 Canford
King’s Canterbury 14-33 Caterham
King’s Ely 7-33 Bishop’s Stortford College
King’s Macclesfield 14-33 Northampton School for Boys
Kirkham GS 64-7 Lancaster RGS
London Oratory 36-26 Emanuel
Maidstone GS 5-48 Skinners’
Malvern College 28-12 Wrekin College
Marr College 36-7 St Aloysius’ College
Merchant Taylors’ 22-21 St George’s Harpenden
Monmouth 12-34 Bromsgrove
New Hall 7-57 Felsted
Norwich 40-17 The Perse
Oswestry 0-14 Old Swinford Hospital
Pangbourne College 7-13 Aylesbury GS
Pate’s GS 26-19 Hereford Cathedral
QEH 7-28 Exeter
Ryde 33-19 St Joseph’s College, Reading
Sandbach 19-19 Cheadle Hulme
Scarborough College 19-10 Pocklington
Scarisbrick Hall 0-42 Ellesmere College
Sevenoaks 14-36 Gravesend GS
Shiplake College 42-21 Windsor Boys’
St Albans 15-41 St Benedict’s
St Olave’s GS 0-50 Colfe’s
St Paul’s 23-26 Tonbridge
Stamford 34-7 Bedford Modern
Stockport GS 7-19 Lymm HS
Stonyhurst 24-0 Bradford GS
Stowe 45-13 Solihull
The Judd 10-21 Ravens Wood
Tiffin 2nd XV 10-27 Claremont Fan Court
Tiffin 8-7 Halliford
UCS 43-14 QES Barnet
Wellingborough 43-10 KES Stratford
Westonbirt 5-21 Taunton 2nd XV
Whitgift 52-20 Hurstpierpoint College
Still to Come:
Wirral GS v St Anselm’s College
