With half term rounding off, a smattering of schools rugby fixtures took place this weekend, including an absolute classic live game on NextGenLive.
Scotland saw the bulk of the action, with England have a handful of games as well, including one international fixture as one of Ireland’s finest travelled to London.
With a huge second half of term coming up, it was a fantastic way to get the schools rugby ball rolling again.
Ten to Watch
The NextGenLive cameras were at Northampton School for Boys as they hosted Sedbergh School in an rare Sunday fixture. NSB took an early lead but Sedbergh built to a strong 31-15 position shortly after the half time break. NSB came charging back though in stunning fashion, but each time they moved within a score Sedbergh managed to find an answer to pull away further again. As time ticked away a late score from Movember man of the match Rob Bentham sealed it for Sedbergh at the end of a 14-try epic. It was a key performance from Sedbergh, who were itching to kick this second half of term off with a good victory after 3 weeks without a game since that defeat to Blackrock College. For NSB, it was a first defeat of the season, yet they will come away with huge pride, shorn of 7 key starters, including 5 in international camps, they still competed with and almost cracked one of the biggest fish in the ocean. NSB’s seat at the top table is firmly bolted in. You can watch the game back below and on the NextGenLive YouTube Channel.
On Saturday there was another epic as Harrow welcomed Ireland’s Clongowes Wood. It has been tough for English schools against Irish opposition this year, so the challenge for Harrow was well known. An epic contest unfolded, 19-19 at the break and tight throughout, finishing up in an epic 31-31 draw. Our reporter, Peter Crawshaw, was in attendance, and you can read his report from the game here: Harrow 31-31 Clongowes Wood, Match Report.
Elsewhere in the South East of England, Kent’s Skinners’ remarkable unbeaten season continued with yet another outstanding performance on Saturday as they hosted Dartford Grammar School and made a big statement in a 64-5 victory. A stunning season to date from Skinners’.
Along the road, The Judd returned for the second half of term and picked up where they left off ahead of half term, playing well for a 24-14 victory over a Maidstone Grammar side that has been playing good rugby this season.
It was a huge day in Scotland, not least at Merchiston Castle School, where they hosted George Watson’s College, two unbeaten sides going head to head. George Watson’s are top of the Scottish U18 Open Schools and Clubs League, they have been since day one, but Merchiston have been hunting them down, with a couple of games in hand. On Saturday Merchiston made their biggest statement of the season yet, a hard earned 22-7 victory, a first defeat for the superb George Watson’s, and a victory that throws this league wide open.
Taking advantage of that result as well were Stewart’s Melville, who travelled to Dollar Academy and secured a fantastic 38-0 victory, a victory that moves them just five points behind George Watson’s, with a game in hand, the league is heading towards a glorious crescendo over the next month or so.
Elsewhere in Scotland, Marr College built on that brilliant display at the Merchiston Festival before half term, hosting Hutcheson’s Grammar in a fantastic fixture that saw the sides share 63 points. It was Marr that came out on top, showing some lovely touches for a 35-28 victory.
Loretto were also on song in the Ten to Watch, an excellent display away at Fettes College for a 27-14 victory as they continue to impress onlookers.
Likewise Edinburgh Academy, who were in great form away at Robert Gordon’s College. Both sides were in try scoring for but it was Edinburgh Academy that found the greater fluency as they secured an excellent 41-26 victory.
Over in Glasgow, it was a tight game at Glasgow Academy as they hosted St Aloysius’ College, both sides throwing everything at it. Glasgow Academy just pipped it though, showing great heart en route to a 26-19 victory.
Ten to Watch Results
Dollar Academy 0-38 Stewart’s Melville
Fettes College 14-27 Loretto
Glasgow Academy 26-19 St Aloysius’ College
Harrow 31-31 Clongowes Wood, Ire
Marr College 35-28 Hutcheson’s GS
Merchiston Castle 22-7 George Watson’s College
Northampton School for Boys 37-43 Sedbergh – LIVE
Robert Gordon’s College 26-41 Edinburgh Academy
Skinners’ 64-5 Dartford GS
The Judd 24-14 Maidstone GS
Saturday 1st November
There were a handful of fixtures outside of the Ten to Watch, and a notable performance from the St Edward’s Oxford 1st XV as they travelled to Harrow to take on their 2nd XV. Naturally then, Teddies started as favourites, but such is the depth at Harrow that it wasn’t by loads, particularly with Teddies having a couple of England absentees. Nobody told Teddies though, as they stormed to an impressive 45-5 victory.
In Scotland, Glasgow High School were on song in a 39-12 victory at home to St Columba’s, a fine performance from the hosts. Meanwhile news from North Berwick High v St Leonards is yet to come through.
Saturday Results
Glasgow HS 39-12 St Columba’s
St Edward’s, Oxford 45-5 Harrow 2nd XV
Still to Come:
North Berwick HS v St Leonards
