With half term upon us, it is a good time to take stock of the latest in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup.
The U18 and U15 Continental Tyres Schools Cup, Plate, Vase, and Bowl competitions are all now at the Regional Semi Finals stage.
Following the regional semi finals, naturally, comes the regional final stage. The regional winners of North A, North B, Midlands A, and Midlands B are then drawn on one side of the draw for their quarter and semi finals, likewise for London & South East A, London & South East B, South West A, and South West B on the other side of the draw. With the competitions going fully national for the Finals.
U18s
U18 Cup
Reigning champions Harrow are looking for three on the spin and face one of the countries best state schools in the form of Richard Hale in London & South East A, with Epsom College and Hurstpierpoint College also meeting in that section.
Meanwhile the side they beat in last year’s final, QEGS Wakefield, are also still in the competition, they face Woodhouse Grove in North B, while 2006 finalists Durham are also in that section, facing Park View.
2024 and 2022 runners up Kirkham Grammar School are up against Scarisbrick Hall in North, alsonglside St Ambrose College and King’s Macclesfield.
Over in the Midlands, tie of the round might be 2023 and 2025 U15 Champions Northampton School for Boys hosting 2015 and 2016 U18 champions Bromsgrove in Midlands A, where 2012 finalists Old Swinford Hospital take on the founders of the game, Rugby School. It’s a bit of a derby in Midlands B, where Stamford host Uppingham, while on the other side Ipswich School will play one of Campion, Framlingham College, or St Joseph’s College.
Two former champions go head to head in London & South East B, Whitgift (2010, 2011, 2019) and Trinity (2022). Meanwhile there is one of the great all-state school battle in that secton too, Skinners’ v The Judd.
South West A sees in form Sir Thomas Rich’s head to Wales to face Monmouth, while Sherborne host Millfield, a fixture they have already won once this season. South West B has a fantastic derby as Abingdon make the short trip to Radley College, whose L6th group won the U15 Cup in 2024. Meanwhile two time champions RGS High Wycombe host Reading Blue Coat.
North A
Kirkham Grammar v Scarisbrick Hall (Weds 5th)
St Ambrose College v King’s Macclesfield (Weds 5th)
North B
Durham v Park View (Weds 5th)
QEGS Wakefield v Woodhouse Grove (Sat 15th)
Midlands A
Northampton School for Boys v Bromsgrove (Tues 11th)
Old Swinford Hospital v Rugby (Tues 11th)
Midlands B
Stamford v Uppingham (Tues 4th)
Ipswich v Campion/Framlingham College or St Joseph’s College
London & South East A
Richard Hale v Harrow (TBC)
Epsom College v Hurstpierpoint College (TBC)
London & South East B
Skinners’ v The Judd (TBC)
Whitgift v Trinity (Weds 5th)
South West A
Monmouth v Sir Thomas Rich’s (Thurs 6th)
Sherborne v Millfield (Tues 4th)
South West B
Radley College v Abingdon (Sat 8th)
RGS High Wycombe v Reading Blue Coat (Weds 5th)
U18 Plate
The Plate competition looks intense, seven time Cup champions Collegiate remain in South West B, hosting St Edward’s Oxford. Likewise 2006 Cup champions St Peter’s Gloucester, who head to QEH in South West A.
Oakham, Cup winners in 2002, 2003, and 2023, head to The Perse in Midlands B. RGS Newcastle, Cup finalists in 2010 and 1994, have a catchup fixture against Hartlepool 6th form College in North B, with a Bye to the Regional Final the winners’ reward. RGS Worcester in Midlands A, Norwich in Midlands B, and Simon Langton Grammar in London & South East B also have byes to the regional final.
North A
Lancaster RGS v AKS Lytham (Weds 5th)
Lymm HS v Ellesmere College (Weds 5th)
North B
Hartlepool 6th form College/RGS Newcastle v Bye
Pocklington v Thomas Rotherham College (Weds 5th)
Midlands A
RGS Worcester v Bedford (TBC)
King’s Worcester v Bedford Modern (Weds 5th)
Midlands B
The Perse v Oakham (Weds 5th)
Norwich v Bye
London & South East A
RGS Colchester v St Benedict’s (Weds 5th)
Hampton v Worth (Weds 5th)
London & South East B
Sir Joseph Williamson’s v Sutton Valence (Weds 12th)
Simon Langton GS v Ravens Wood (TBC)
South West A
QEH v St Peter’s, Gloucester (Weds 5th)
Ivybridge Community College v Taunton (Weds 5th)
South West B
Collegiate v St Edward’s, Oxford (Thurs 6th)
Lord Wandsworth College v RGS Guildford (Weds 5th)
U18 Vase
Over in the Vase, 2017 and 2014 champions Trent College host King’s Grantham in North A, while Bishop’s Stortford College in Midlands B, Wimbledon College in London & South East A, Plymouth College in South West A, and KES Southampton in South West B all have byes to the Regional Finals.
North A
Wirral GS v Sandbach (Weds 5th)
Trent College v King’s Grantham (Thurs 20th)
North B
Dame Allan’s v Ermysted’s GS (Weds 12th)
Prince Henry’s GS/Crossley Heath v Birkdale
Midlands A
Princethorpe College v Loughborough GS (Sat 15th)
Hereford 6th form College v Aylesbury GS (Weds 5th)
Midlands B
Hitchin Boys’ v Gresham’s/Royal Hospital
Bishop’s Stortford College v Bye
London & South East A
Dr Challoner’s GS v UCS (Weds 5th)
Wimbledon College v Bye
London & South East B
Christ’s Hospital v Maidstone GS (Tues 4th)
Eastbourne College v Duke of York’s RMS (TBC)
South West A
Poole GS v Wellington (Tues 4th)
Plymouth College v Bye
South West B
St Bartholomew’s v Reed’s (TBC)
KES Southampton v Bye
U18 Bowl
Plenty have byes straight to the regional finals in the Bowl, Hereford Cathedral School in Midlands A, Hinchley Wood in London & South East A, Tunbridge Wells Grammar in London & South East B, Truro School in South West A, and Salisbury 6th form College in South West B, while the winner of a catchup fixture between Southend High and Saffron Walden in Midlands B will also have a bye.
Langley won this tournament in 2018, they are awaiting the semi finals opponent in Midlands B, it will be either Roundwood Park or St Edmunds College, Bablake have also won this in the past, they face Ratcliffe College in Midlands A.
Clayesmore, meanwhile, have booked their place in the Regional final, having won 35-10 against Monkton Combe in their regional semi final.
North A
King William’s College v Shrewsbury (Weds 12th)
John Taylor HS v Newcastle-Under-Lyme (Weds 5th)
North B
KES Morpeth/Emmanuel College or Ripon GS v Ilkley GS
Hymers College v Wilmslow HS (Weds 5th)
Midlands A
Bablake v Ratcliffe College (TBC)
Hereford Cathedral School v Bye
Midlands B
Roundwood Park/St Edmund’s College v Langley
Southend HS/Saffron Walden v Bye
London & South East A
QES Barnet v Cardinal Vaughan (Weds 5th)
Hinchley Wood v Bye
London & South East B
Graveney v Gravesend GS (Weds 5th)
Tunbridge Wells GS v Bye
South West A
Clayesmore 35-10 Monkton Combe
Truro School v Bye
South West B
Pangbourne College v Claires Court (Weds 5th)
Salisbury 6th form College v Bye
U15s
U15 Cup
Reigning champions Northampton School for Boys, who were finalists in 2024 and champions in 2023 as well, are still going strong. They travel to Bedford, 2006 champions, in Midlands B. Which also sees Campion and Samuel Whitbread go head to head.
Last year’s runners up, Lord Wandsworth College, are still going strong too, hosting Marlborough College in South West B, where Beechen Cliff also host Bishop Wordsworth’s. 2009 champions Millfield host 2020 shared champions Ivybridge Community College in South West A, which also sees Dean Close host St Peter’s Gloucester.
In the London & South East sections, 2023 runners up KCS Wimbledon have a huge derby against Wimbledon College in the A section, where Harrow also host 2005 champions St Benedict’s. Meanwhile in the B section, 2001 champions Epsom College are at home against Trinity, and Seaford College host Brighton College.
Midlands A sees an old rivalry renewed as Oakham and Oundle go head to head, while King’s Worcester host Warwick, who won back to back title in 2013 and 2014.
In the North, the side they faced in those finals, that then beat them in 2015, QEGS Wakefield, won also reached the 2022 final, are heading to St Ambrose College in North B, while St Anselm’s College host Bishop Vesey’s Grammar. North A sees 2016 champions Sedbergh host another giant, Lancaster RGS, 2002 champions St Peter’s York head to Dame Allan’s.
North A
Dame Allan’s v St Peter’s, York
Sedbergh v Lancaster RGS
North B
St Ambrose College v QEGS Wakefield
St Anselm’s College v Bishop Vesey’s GS
Midlands A
Oakham v Oundle
King’s Worcester v Warwick
Midlands B
Bedford v Northampton School for Boys
Campion v Samuel Whitbread Academy
London & South East A
Harrow v St Benedict’s
KCS Wimbledon v Wimbledon College
London & South East B
Epsom College v Trinity
Seaford College v Brighton College
South West A
Dean Close v St Peter’s, Gloucester
Millfield v Ivybridge Community College
South West B
Beechen Cliff v Bishop Wordsworth’s
Lord Wandsworth College v Marlborough College
U15 Plate
Over in the Plate, 1991 Cup champions Bristol Grammar are up against Marling in South West A, where Taunton also host Blundell’s. South West B sees 1988 Cup champions, the inaugural champions, RGS Guildford, head to Churcher’s College, while Thomas Hardye, former Vase winners, head to Sherborne, who reached the Cup final in 2004.
John Fisher reached the Cup final in 2001, they hear to Eltham College in London & South East B, while The Judd, 2009 Cup finalists, host Caterham. Meanwhile in London & South East A Mill Hill host Merchant Taylors’, and two-time Cup finalists St Paul’s, who won the Plate last year, host St John’s Leatherhead.
In North A, two schools legends go head to head, Barnard Castle and Durham, while another legend, Stonyhurst, await news from St Mary’s v Merchant Taylors’. North B sees Rodillian Academy host Cheadle Hulme, while Queen Mary’s Grammar School host Sandbach.
Over in the Midlands the reigning Plate champions, Radley College, have a derby at St Edward’s in Midlands B, and the other semi final is a derby too, as St Joseph’s College host Ipswich. Midlands A, meanwhile, sees Ratcliffe College travel to Loughborough Grammar and Bromsgrove head to Lutterworth High.
North A
Barnard Castle v Durham
St Mary’s College/Merchant Taylors’ v Stonyhurst
North B
Rodillian Academy v Cheadle Hulme
Queen Mary’s GS v Sandbach
Midlands A
Loughborough GS v Ratcliffe College
Lutterworth HS v Bromsgrove
Midlands B
St Edward’s, Oxford v Radley College
St Joseph’s College v Ipswich
London & South East A
Mill Hill v Merchant Taylors’
St Paul’s v St John’s, Leatherhead
London & South East B
Eltham College v John Fisher
The Judd v Caterham
South West A
Bristol GS v Marling
Taunton v Blundell’s
South West B
Sherborne v Thomas Hardye
Churcher’s College v RGS Guildford
U15 Vase
The Vase is actually at the Regional Quarter Final stage, such is the popularity of it and therefore the number of sides entering. Some big sides lurk in the competition, including 2025 finalists Bishop’s Stortford High, who host Felsted in Midlands B, where Gresham’s host Langley. 2023 finalists Chislehurt & Sidcup await news of Dartford Grammar v Wallington County Grammar in London & South East A.
2022 champions Hitchin Boys are up against King’s Ely in Midlands A, while the side they beat in that final, Torquay Boys Grammar, are hosting Exmouth Community College in South West B.
North A
Newcastle School for Boys/KES Morpeth v Scarborough College
Prince Henry’s GS v Ripon GS
QEGS Penrith v Ermysted’s GS
Manchester GS v Lymm HS
North B
Birkdale v Hill House
KES Lichfield v Trent College
Wirral GS v Habs’ Abraham Darby
Newcastle-Under-Lyme v Habderdashers’ Adams
Midlands A
KES Five Ways v Solihull
Coundon Court v Princethorpe College
Carre’s GS v Robert Smyth
King’s Ely v Hitchin Boys’
Midlands B
Gresham’s v Langley
Bishop’s Stortford HS v Felsted
St George’s, Harpenden v Verulam
Aylesbury GS v Gillotts
London & South East A
Claires Court v St Clement Danes
Emanuel v London Oratory
Southend HS v Robert Clack
Dartford GS/Wallington CGS v Chislehurst & Sidcup GS
London & South East B
Maidstone GS v Simon Langton GS
Tunbridge Wells GS v Bennett Memorial/Newman College
Howard of Effingham v Royal Alexandra & Albert
St George’s, Weybridge v Claremont Fan Court
South West A
Bishop of Hereford v Hereford Cathedral
Monmouth v The Crypt
Clevedon v Malmesbury
Sexey’s v Gillingham
South West B
Gordon’s v The Forest
Clayesmore v Forre Sandle
Torquay Boys’ GS v Exmouth Community College
Plymouth College v Truro School
U15 Bowl
It’s the regional quarter final stage in the U15 Bowl as well, and actually there are a number of fixtures from the previous round to catch up on as well.
North A
High Tunstall v Yarm
Harrogate GS/Pocklington v Ilkley GS
Giggleswick v AKS Lytham
Wilmslow HS v Stockpot GS
North B
Worksop College v Lady Manners
Fairfax v Bishop Walsh
Birkenhead v The Grange
Oswestry v QEGS Ashbourne
Midlands A
KES Birmingham v KES Aston
King Henry VIII v Sibford
Spalding GS v Welland Park
The Leys v The Perse
Midlands B
Wymondham College v Framlingham College/East Bergholt HS
Colchester RGS v /St Edmund’s College
Richard Hale v Beaumont
The Oratory v Cokethorpe
London & South East A
Dr Challoner’s GS v Sir William Borlase’s GS
Fulham Boys’ v Grey Court
Woodlands v Westcliff HS
St Olave’s GS v Carshalton
London & South East B
Gravesend GS v Duke of York’s RMS
Skinners’ v Eastbourne College
Dunottar 21-44 Glyn
Tiffin v Hinchley Wood
South West A
Kingstone HS v The Chase, Malvern
Chosen Hill v Cleeve
Ashton Park v Redland Green
Oasis Academy v King’s Bruton/The Gryphon
South West B
Embley v Thornden
Lytchett Minster/Poole GS v QES Wimborne
Stover v West Buckland
Uffculme v Mount Kelly
