It was another terrific weekend of schools rugby, with half term on the horizon it seemed that sides pulled out all of the stops ahead of the break.
Once again it was a weekend peppered with draws in this incredible season that began with some surprising one-sided games and has since developed to become one of the tightest in recent memory.
So many sides made the case for inclusion in this week’s Top 5, indeed Millfield could perhaps be forgiven if they were furious about not being in it for the third week in a row after their outstanding 33-12 victory away at Clifton College, the minor judgement call being that three on the spin seemed a tad too much…even so, an incredible showing from Millfield.
Incredible two from two Irish sides in action in England this weekend, Terenure College with their stunning 43-10 victory over Kirkham Grammar (see highlights below), and Blackrock College after winning their epic contest with Sedbergh 29-24.
They were all in our Ten to Watch, and another side in that Ten to Watch that earned a thrilling victory that pushed for a place in this Top 5 was Rugby School, who defeated the excellent Stamford 29-24.
Two games in our Ten to Watch ended in epic draws, Cranleigh and Berkhamsted drew 15-15, a result that very nearly catapulted Berkhamsted into the Top 5, likewise Seaford College, who drew 19-19 at home to Whitgift.
Friday night saw some outstanding performances, Colfe’s, St Benedict’s, and St George’s Harpenden all playing some outstanding rugby. Derby victory for Bablake was impressive too.
On Saturday there were some great performances on the road, Sir Thomas Rich’s 29-7 victory at Bloxham perhaps chief among them, while the Campion train rolls on, 42-7 at Langley Park. Stonyhurst, Reading Blue Coat, and Plymouth College were all superb away from home, likewise Reed’s at Emanuel, and perhaps the pick of the bunch, another outstanding effort from Collegiate.
There were some impressive displays in tighter games too, even one in defeat, RGS Guildford doing remarkably well in a 20-22 defeat to Epsom College. St Edward’s Oxford impressed in a 34-21 victory over Marlborough College, likewise Canford against Dauntsey’s, and Taunton against Monmouth. Meanwhile Wimbledon College were very impressive against Churcher’s College, and Duke of York’s Royal Military continue to march on with another strong display on Saturday.
A big contender for the Top 5 was Bedford School, who were excellent in a thrilling 32-24 defeat of Warwick. Neighbours Bedford Modern were in dominant form on Saturday, likewise Wellingborough, Felsted, and St Albans.
St John’s Leatherhead impress almost every time they take the field, likewise The Judd, and Yorkshire’s Hill House, while Mill Hill’s 52-29 victory over Haileybury saw both sides emerge with huge credit.
King’s Worcester continue to look utterly unstoppable, on Saturday defeating a good Malvern College side 48-3. Meanwhile Kingswood, who have bounced back so well from defeat to King’s Worcester, were again outstanding in a 50-15 defeat of Blundell’s.
As ever though, despite so many contenders for such a variety of different reasons, there is only space for five teams in the Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend, so, without any further ado, here they are:
Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend | Week 6:
Abingdon
Included in the Top 5 not just for an excellent 33-19 victory over Solihull, but also for completing an incredible unbeaten first half of term. It is the first time in 25 years that Abingdon have done so, winning 6 and drawing 1 of the 7 fixtures, and on a very tough circuit indeed.
Not only have their 1st XV done so, but remarkably so too have their 2nd and 3rd XVs, and their U16 As and Cs. This has been a first half of term that is the stuff of legend at Abingdon. Saturday’s 33-19 1st XV victory only serving to highlight that further.
Bromsgrove
It has been a funny old season for Bromsgrove, a couple of early defeats, then three victories and a remarkable two draws in their last five games. It has been near impossible to work out exactly where they might sit in the pecking order, with only serves to demonstrate how tight teams are this season.
What was known is that their opponents on Saturday, Stowe, are a very good side. Stowe arrived at Bromsgrove as favourites, undefeated this season. It was therefore outstanding from Bromsgrove to secure a fantastic 32-10 victory over the Buckinghamshire side, placing them firmly in this week’s Ten to Watch.
Dean Close
Dean Close hadn’t tasted victory since early September, though they had played well in defeat and in a draw against some mighty opposition since then. On Saturday they hosted a KES Bath side that had only tasted defeat once all season, a very tight loss to Collegiate last weekend, a side that is currently running riot.
Given the context of who Dean Close had been playing, they weren’t exactly unfancied on Saturday, but there certainly was no inkling of what actually unfolded; a stunning 48-0 victory that completely shakes up the pecking order in the area. A brilliant performance, rightly earning Top 5 recognition.
Finborough
Finborough arrived at the Merchiston Castle School U18 Rugby Festival perhaps a little unheralded. Defeats to Kirkham Grammar School and St Joseph’s College had almost been over egged, reality is they gave two very good sides a strong game.
They used that to their advantage over the weekend in Edinburgh as they wrestled the title from the hosts for the first time in three years. They played some fantastic rugby both in tight and gritty games, such as their semi final against Oakham, and in a more expansive manner as in their final against Barnard Castle. Reality is though, it wasn’t about style, it was about the achievement from a fantastic group of young men achieving arguably the greatest rugby triumph in Finborough’s rugby history. They were, quite simply, magnificent, and the achievement is truly outstanding. A wonderful group, and cracking team, and a glorious achievement. Top 5, without question.
Skinners’
Skinners’ and Ravens Wood have been two standout sides in the area for some time, so their meeting on Saturday was always likely to be a headline event and a massive game for the players involved. Travelling to Ravens Wood and returning with a 27-14 victory was a fantastic outcome for Skinners’.
They are in the Top 5 not only for that though, but also because it secures a quite brilliant unbeaten first half of term. A half term that has seen them win a remarkable seven games out of seven, to add to their brilliant unbeaten summer tour. This is a very special Skinners’ group, who will be looking ahead to the second half of term with real confidence now.
