Another round of the RFU ACE League is upon us, with this round representing the halfway mark, with only 2 rounds to go before the champions pool will be formed, and the fight for promotion and relegation begins to heat up. Here is the full preview for round 3.
North Area Pool 1
Bishop Burton v Gosforth Academy
What a week it was last time out for Gosforth, who remain undefeated in Tier 1 in the North. Up next is a tough away day, travelling down to Yorkshire, to take on a Bishop Burton side still chasing their first win of the year. It may not yet emerge here, as Gosforth will be the favourite after a monumental result against Loughborough last time out.
Loughborough v Stourport
Speaking of the men in voilet, Loughborough have a chance to recover from last week’s defeat at home to Stourport. However, it is now Stourport, having gone two from two so far, who may emerge as Gosforth’s closest rivals this campaign. This is a very important game for both sides’ seasons. Whoever takes the crown in this bout can comfortably call themselves best of the rest in Tier 1.
Myerscough v Oaklands College
Oaklands will be hoping for a second victory, and their first away from home, when they travel to struggling Myerscough. Perhaps some home comforts might inspire Myerscough to their first win of the season, but Oaklands are on the up, and confidence is key in a division as tight as this one. The 4 tries Myerscough did grab against a talented Stourport side last week will give them something to work with.
South Area Pool 1
Beechen Cliff V Gordon’s
Defending Champions Gordon’s travel to Beechen Cliff for their biggest game of the year. After Gordon’s grabbed two victories to start the season, Beechen Cliff, also undefeated, will be the toughest challenge the champions have faced. If they are serious about reclaiming their title, they will need to take down the Boys in Blue and Gold. Equally, if the Bath-based side would like to announce themselves as title-contenders, a win here would go a long way towards that goal. I actually think the hosts are slight favourites here, although the game will be hotly contested.
Bishop Wand V Hartpury College
The Acorns’ first road trip of the season brings them to Bishop Wand. A win here is expected of last year’s finalists, but Bishop Wand put up a real fight against Gordon’s last week, and will hope they can do the same on Wednesday. Wand are often a physical outfit, and they will have to be at their most aggressive to contain Hartpurys Formidable Pack.
Truro College v Newman College
Truro is not an easy away day, and after a difficult start to the season, Newman will have to be in top form to challenge on the road. Truro will be seething after being kept out completely by Hartpury last week, and will be favoured in this tie after a proper contest against Gordon’s in week one, and at least keeping Hartpury under 50 in week 2. A first win of the season is very much on the cards for the Exeter Ace side.
North Area Pool 2
Ashton on Mersey V Moulton College
After Moulton’s dominant win over Bede Academy last week, the only side with Ace experience in this division will be confident of a second victory in their first away day of the campaign. Ashton on Mersey were denied a debut victory in the ACE leagues last time out after falling to fellow newcomers Wath, and will need to put in a perfect display to avoid defeat here.
Coventry College v Wath Academy
A week off in the ACE Calendar for Coventry last week, but they will be hoping to come straight back into the contest for promotion with a win at home. The hosts looked sharp in pre-season, and even sharper in round 1. Despite a first win of the competition for Wath last week, it would certainly be an upset if they can win on the road this round against a Coventry side that have taken to the ACE Leagues like a duck to water.
South Area Pool 2
City of Oxford v SGS College
Oxford announced themselves in Division 2 in stunning fashion last week, with a one-sided win over Richard Huish. This, however, will be a very different task. SGS are another side that have had it all their own way so far in this tier, but that cannot remain the case for much longer, as two of the big three southern second division sides clash for the first time. This game could go either way, with Oxford perhaps the slight favourites at home. Whatever the result, it will have massive implications for Exeter, who will no doubt be watching closely on thier week off.
Richard Huish v Peter Symonds’
The two debutants in this division have had a bumpy ride so far in tier 2, but this is an opportunity for some reprieve. It is also a West Country derby as the newest Ace side of both Bristol and Bath face off, both looking for their first win as ACE Colleges. Richard Huish looked like a strong side in pre-season, but they will be bruised after last week’s heavy defeat – that might be just the motivation they need to notch up win number 1 this year.
You can find the full fixture list and last week’s results via the NextGenRugby Instagram, Facebook andTwitterr, or via the RFU website, found through this Link: https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?competition=1664&season=2025-2026&division=66041#fixtures
