There is no rest week for the RFU ACE Girls league this week, so the undefeated top 3 each have a chance to continue their winning form, while this round offers a few sides an opportunity to turn results around. Here are all the fixtures in midweek
Round 3 – Wednesday 1st October
City of Oxford v SGS College
Two teams that were beaten last week by very strong sides come together in round 3, hoping for victory. For Oxford, they have had a difficult run to start the season, facing Worthing and Exeter, two of the top 3, in the first two rounds – this is their most winnable game of the season, and it comes at home. SGS are away for a second week in a row and will need to brush off last week’s ruthless defeat to Hartpury, but Oxford are the favourites after putting in an excellent first-half performance last time out.
Exeter College v Oaklands College
This is perhaps the biggest game of the round. Exeter, the defending champions, are on a roll, having won twice already this season. Oaklands are hoping to break their way into the upper echelons of the table after a great performance last week against Henley. An opening round defeat to Loughborough seems to have shocked them into life, but this will not be an easy fixture. Exeter away is a tough place to go, and another mid-table side, Oxford, have already been unable to overcome the distance.
Hartpury College v Newman College
Newman have been improving week by week, but this trip to Gloucester might prove to be a test that’s come too early in the season. Hartpury, the well-drilled and devastatingly efficient outfit, are the strong favourites. Another big scoreline could be on the cards.
Loughborough v Henley College
Another side, like Oaklands, who are keen to crack the top 3, are Loughborough, who are the strong favourites against a Henley team that have been out of touch in both games so far this campaign. If Loughborough would like to view themselves as serious challengers in their first season under a new ACE rebrand, these are the games they need to win by big margins, just like other aspirational sides like Oaklands, who have already.
Worthing College v Bishop Burton
Worthing have had a great start to the season, and will hope to continue their good form at home to Bishop Burton, who are yet to win this campaign. It is a long journey south for the Yorkshire outfit, and they face Worthing, who wish to frame themselves amongst the likes of Hartpury and Exeter, and have already put big scores on Burton. This will be the first time we are able directly compare this season’s prospective “Big Three”.
You can catch all the previous rounds’ results and find out the final scores here on the Nextgen Website, or via our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @NextGenRugby.
