The final round of the reformed and redrawn ACE League is upon us, and before the first fork in the road, before the top 4 sides can be placed into the combined Champions pool and before the three-week break in play begins, the final standings in the brand new north and south divisions must be decided with one more block of fixtures.
North Area Pool 1
Loughborough v Bishop Burton
Bishop Burton may have grabbed their first win of the season last week against Myerscough, but they may struggle to back it up with a second away to a talented Loughborough side, who are hoping to make the champions pool at the first time of asking, in their first season in their new colours. They will be favourites at home, but cannot afford any slip-ups with Oaklands and Stourport snapping at their heels.
Myerscough v Gosforth Academy
Last week’s win over Stourport has practically guaranteed Gosforth’s rightful place as the Kings of the north, but they will be keen to continue their fine form on the road to winless Myerscough. They cannot afford to be complacent with the standard of opposition set to skyrocket in three weeks, when the likes of Hartpury come to town.
Stourport v Oaklands College
The final spot in the champions pool, with the assumption being that it is the top 3 only from each division that can progress, will be one of these two sides. Stourport’s loss to Gosforth could have been fatal to their chances, but fortunately, Oaklands also lost at home. Stourport are still favourites, but last season’s best performing northern side will need to bounce back quickly if they are sure to secure a place amongst the finest ACE sides after half term.
South Area Pool 1
Beechen Cliff v Truro College
Beechen Cliff’s heroic effort away from home against Hartpury last week has forced everyone to sit up straight. They emerge from the narrow defeat looking like serious title challengers, but Truro still have a very outside shot of making the last dance between north and south. However, they have struggled in recent weeks, and Beechen Cliff will be keen to head into the long break with a win, instead of suffering only their second defeat of the season.
Bishop Wand v Newman College
It may not have been either of these greatest ever seasons so far, but both will be hoping to stave off relegation after half-term. Bishop Wand grabbed a surprise victory down in Cornwall last week, which will have lightened the mood in camp and given them an air of cautious confidence at home to their Harlequins half-brothers, Newman College. Newman College have been on the up in the last few weeks, even if wins have been hard to come by, and this game should be close.
Gordon’s v Hartpury College
One would have hoped that the long-awaited rematch between last year’s finalists would have a little more at stake at this stage of the season; however, Hartpury have been blowing everyone away so far, except for last week’s opponents, Beechen Cliff. It looked at times like Gordon’s might have needed to take some points from this encounter to secure a spot in the top three. In the end, Truro’s disappointing defeat last week may have spared the defending title holders the need for victory.
North Area Pool 2
Coventry College v Bede Academy
The full details surrounding how sides from division 2 can gain promotion into the top tier are still not clear; however, if it is a one-in-one-out system, then Coventry College are up against it after defeat to Moulton, who seem like the favourites to take the crown. Bede, on the back of a first-ever ACE win, still has a tough task on their hands. Coventry were only beaten by 7 points last week, whereas Moulton but 50 on Bede a few weeks ago, indicating a win for the hosts.
Wath Academy v Moulton College
Wath will be hoping to pull off a huge shock at home here, as Moulton need a win to confirm their title, with Coventry likely to win in their final game of the round. And a shock it would be, with Wath’s only previous win coming against bottom side Ashton-On-Mersey, who were unable to complete their fixture with Moulton, denying us a direct comparison. I believe we have seen enough of the Northern Tier 2’s only former ACE side to predict a routine win for the travellers.
South Area Pool 2
City of Oxford v Exeter College
Last week’s away win for Exeter against SGS was the first part of their two-stop charge towards being crowned Tier 2 Champions. City of Oxford are the other major obstacle, having performed well throughout this season and picked up another bonus point against Peter Symonds’ last week. However, Oxford’s home defeat to SGS will hand Exeter the advantage, as the only undefeated team left in the division.
Richard Huish v SGS College
A proper local derby as the two Bristol-based sides meet for the first time in the ACE League. If Oxford can do a job at home to Exeter, then the table suddenly becomes dramatically close at the top, should SGS get a bonus point win in their own neighbours ‘ backyard. A historically interesting tie, if not tilted towards SGS, it should be a fiery encounter.
You can find the full fixture list and last week’s results via the NextGenRugby Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, 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
