Another exciting week of schools rugby looms large, with the regional finals in the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup, Plate, Vase, and Bowl taking place, plus a very special LIVE game on Wednesday.
It feels as though the season is reaching its crescendo as the Continental Tyres Schools Cup reaches the regional finals stage, there is one more round of games to go in the competition after this before the Christmas, the quarter final stage – the first time the competition goes national.
So it’s a huge week for schools involved in those games, it’s also a big week outside of that with many independent schools having an exeat/leave weekend this weekend coming, therefore this midweek is packed with fixtures.
Among those, a huge double header on Wednesday, celebrating 100 years of rugby at Hurstpierpoint College. They will host Rugby School at the Richmond Athletic Ground in a unique double header LIVE on NextGenLive, first the two schools’ old boys, Old Johnians and Old Rugbeians, will face off against one another at 3pm, before at 5pm the two school 1st XVs kick off. Both will be available on the NextGenLive YouTube Channel and through the embedded video below.
Tuesday 18th November
The action begins on Wednesday and it is the Continental Tyres Schools Plate that dominates things on Tuesday. The Midlands A regional final sees Bedford School, who are bang in form, host King’s Worcester, who have been utterly sensational at times this season.
Tuesday also sees both South West regional finals take place. In South West A QEH, who were incredible on Saturday, host Taunton School, who gave Millfield a real challenge on Saturday and look very strong indeed. Over in South West B the Cup’s most successful side, Collegiate, who are playing wonderfully well this year, host RGS Guildford, who are in red hot form after ending Skinners’ unbeaten season on Saturday.
Outside of the knockouts, in Cambridge The Perse host Bishop’s Stortford College, who do have a Vase regional final at Hitchin Boys’ coming up. Meanwhile The Oratory host Windsor Boys’ in what should be a game. Seaford College showed their depth earlier in the season with their 3rd XV beating Portsmouth Grammar’s 1st XV, PGS have a chance for revenge on Tuesday, travelling up to Seaford. Meanwhile Milton Abbey look to back up Saturday’s victory, they host a strong Daunstey’s 2nd XV.
Tuesday Fixtures
Bedford v King’s Worcester (Plate, Midlands A)
Collegiate v RGS Guildford (Plate, South West B)
Milton Abbey v Dauntsey’s 2nd XV
QEH v Taunton (Plate, South West A)
Seaford College 3rd XV v Portsmouth GS
The Oratory v Windsor Boys’
The Perse v Bishop’s Stortford College
Wednesday 19th November
Wednesday is a huge day, with fixtures all over the country. The NextGenLive cameras will be at the Richmond Athletic Ground for that brilliant Hurstpierpoint College v Rugby School 1st XV and Old Boys double header. It’s set to be an incredible celebration of 100 years of rugby at Hurstpierpoint College, two years on from Rugby’s own bicentenary. All the action will be available on the NextGenLive YouTube Channel, and you can check out our preview here: Hurstpierpoint College v Rugby School – Preview.
Wednesday is packed with knockout rugby and in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup there are three massive games. In North A Kirkham Grammar, who have reached two of the last four finals, are in action against the in form King’s Macclesfield. It’s an immense challenge for King’s Macc but they will be up for it, while for Kirkham there is a real determination to go all the way.
There is a real determination of that from 2013 finalists Northampton School for Boys, who have reached the last 3 U15 finals in a row, winning two, are one of the favourites this year. They lost at the weekend, perhaps surprisingly, but it would be no surprise if they had an eye on Wednesday’s Midlands A Regional Final against Old Swinford Hospital. They would be wise to, OSH were finalists in 2012 and are playing some brilliant rugby this year, it’s a fantastic fixture.
Perhaps Skinners’ had half an eye on knockout rugby too, their unbeaten season came to an end on Saturday at RGS Guildford, but not they have their biggest game of the season – a London & South East B regional final at home against Cup legends and three time champions Whitgift. Whitgift are always among the favourites, and are well rested after their game against St Paul’s on Saturday was cancelled. It’s set to be a massive game.
A couple of Cup regional finals take place next week, North B seeing Durham host QEGS Wakefield and South West A seeing Sir Thomas Rich’s host Sherborne, both on Wednesday 26th.
Over in the Plate, Lancaster RGS and Ellesmere College meet in the North A regional final, two superb sides that will fancy their chances of going deep. In North B Scarborough College and Pocklington arrive after contrasting weekends, Scarborough lost to Barnard Castle but will be battle hardened, while Pocklington lost out to Bradford Grammar.
Two sides with plenty of shared knockout history meet in the London & South East A regional final, St Benedict’s and Hampton, they know each other well and it should be an outstanding game. Over in London & South East B it’s two sides that are in strong form, Sir Joseph Williamson’s hosting Ravens Wood. One side in the Plate is already into the quarter finals, Oakham after they beat Norwich 39-10 to win the Midlands B section.
In the Vase there are some key games, including a late regional semi final in North B as Prince Henry’s Grammar host Birkdale, the winner will travel to Dame Allan’s for the regional final.
In the actual regional final stage, North A sees Sandbach host King’s Grantham, which should be a strong tie. In London & South East A two sides that love knockout rugby go head to head as Dr Challoner’s Grammar host Wimbledon College. Meanwhile in London & South East B two of the form teams in the region go head to head Maidstone Grammar and Duke of York’s Royal Military, both have been magnificent this year. Over in South West B, Reed’s, who were excellent last round, host KES Southampton, who had a bye. Loughborough Grammar meanwhile host Aylesbury Grammar in the Midlands A regional final after their victory over Princethorpe College on Saturday. Meanwhile Poole Grammar will host Plymouth College in South West A on Friday 28th.
Over in the Bowl competition five games take place. North A sees Shrewsbury host Newcastle-Under-Lyme, while in North B Ripon Grammar host Hymers College. In fact by the end of the day all four quarter finalists in the top half of the draw will be known as Bablake host Hereford Cathedral in the Midlands A final and Langley welcome Saffron Walden in the Midlands B final. The sole game in the bottom half of the draw sees Gravesend Grammar host Tunbridge Wells Grammar in London & South East B.
There is also a game on Friday, South West B, Pangbourne College hosting Embley, while next Thursday Clayesmore host Truro in South West A.
Outside of the knockouts one of the great block fixtures in any season takes place as Wellington College and Sedbergh meet at Broadstreet RFC. It is a fixture that over the years has somehow always led to the most spectacular of 1st XV fixtures, and it would be no surprise to see another classic again on Wednesday evening.
The two travel to Broadstreet to meet in the middle, and not too far away there is another cracking fixture as Solihull host Warwick, two sides that have had some great games down the years. Along the road KES Five Ways host Alcester Grammar, while KES Stratford welcome King Henry VIII Coventry. KES Camp Hill are at Queen Mary’s Grammar, while in Shropshire Oswestry host Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby.
In Oxford there is a cracking fixture as St Edward’s Oxford, who have been outstanding this year, welcome an RGS Guildford side that is in truly excellent form at the moment too. Meanwhile travelling from Oxfordshire are the excellent Bloxham, with their side packed with internationals travelling to take on Stonyhurst, who are playing some excellent rugby at the moment. Across the Pennines, a strong St Peter’s York side hosts Harrogate Grammar School, who have been in good form this season as well, that should be a cracking game.
Heading back down south, in Buckinghamshire Burnham Grammar host Holyport College, while John Hampden Grammar welcome Sir William Borlase’s. Meanwhile in Berkshire Windsor Boys’ take on Hayes, while Reading host Claires Court. Leighton Park are also in action, hosting Park House, likewise St James’, who are hosting Reddam House.
Across in Hertfordshire Haberdashers’ Elstree host Hitchin Boys’, who have a Bowl regional final with Bishop’s Stortford College coming up too. Meanwhile St Columba’s College host Roundwood Park andHockerill Anglo-European College travel to take on Bishop’s Stortford High School’s 2nd XV.
Over in Suffolk a bit of a derby as Culford host Framlingham College. Meanwhile in Essex Coopers’ Coborn host Colfe’s. South East London sees John Fisher, after a good outing on Saturday, host Carshalton, while Wilson’s are at Dulwich College, taking on their 3rd XV.
Out in Kent, Oakwood Park Grammar host Canterbury Academy, while Beth’s Grammar have a big game at home to Wilmington Grammar. Bennett Memorial meanwhile welcome Chatham & Clarendon Grammar.
Across in Surrey, it’s derby day as Reigate Grammar host Caterham, who will be hoping to push this excellent Reigate side closer this time around. Back in South West London Fulham Boys’ are at home to West London Free School, while Oreleans Park host Saint Cecilia’s, and City of London Freemen’s welcome Wallington County Grammar.
Out in Hampshire Lord Wandsworth College look to back up a big performance on Saturday as they host a strong Reading Blue Coat side. Meanwhile in Gloucestershire St Peter’s Gloucester take on Cotswold in a big game and Cheltenham Bournside head to Chosen Hill.
Somerset’s King’s College Taunton are actually down for two fixtures, presumably one will move, on at Hereford 6th form College, the other in Devon at Plymouth College. Also in Devon, Colyton Grammar take on Exeter School’s 2nd XV.
Wednesday Fixtures
Bablake v Hereford Cathedral School (Bowl, Midlands A)
Bennett Memorial v Chatham & Clarendon GS
Beth’s GS v Wilmington GS
Bishop’s Stortford HS 2nd XV v Hockerill Anglo-European College
Burnham GS v Holyport College
Chosen Hill v Cheltenham Bournside
City of London Freemen’s v Wallington CGS
Coopers’ Coborn v Colfe’s
Cotswold v St Peter’s, Gloucester
Culford v Framlingham College
Dr Challoner’s GS v Wimbledon College (Vase, LSE A)
Dulwich College 3rd XV v Wilson’s
Exeter 2nd XV v Colyton GS
Fulham Boys v West London Free
Gravesend GS v Tunbridge Wells GS (Bowl, LSE B)
Haberdashers’ Elstree v Hitchin Boys’
Hereford 6th form College v King’s College, Taunton
Hurstpierpoint College v Rugby – LIVE
John Fisher v Carshalton
John Hampden GS v Sir William Borlase’s GS
KES Five Ways v Alcester GS
KES Stratford v King Henry VIII
Kirkham GS v King’s Macclesfield (Cup, North A)
Lancaster RGS v Ellesmere College (Plate, North A)
Langley v Saffron Walden (Bowl, Midlands B)
Leighton Park v Park House
Lord Wandsworth College v Reading Blue Coat
Loughborough GS v Aylesbury GS (Vase, Midlands A)
Maidstone GS v Duke of York’s RMS (Vase, LSE B)
Northampton School for Boys v Old Swinford Hospital (Cup, Midlands A)
Oakwood Park GS v Canterbury Academy
Orleans Park v Saint Cecilia’s
Oswestry v Habs’ Abraham Darby
Plymouth College v King’s College, Taunton
Prince Henry’s GS v Birkdale (Vase, North B)
Queen Mary’s GS v KES Camp Hill
Reading v Claires Court
Reed’s v KES Southampton (Vase, South West B)
Reigate GS v Caterham
Ripon GS v Hymers College (Bowl, North B)
Sandbach v King’s Grantham (Vase, North A)
Scarborough College v Pocklington (Plate, North B)
Shrewsbury v Newcastle-Under-Lyme (Bowl, North A)
Sir Joseph Williamson’s v Ravens Wood (Plate, LSE B)
Skinners’ v Whitgift (Cup, LSE B)
Solihull v Warwick
St Benedict’s v Hampton (Plate, LSE A)
St Columba’s College v Roundwood Park
St Edward’s, Oxford v RGS Guildford
St James v Reddam House
St Peter’s, York v Harrogate GS
Stonyhurst v Bloxham
Wellington College v Sedbergh
Windsor Boys’ v Hayes
Thursday 20th November
Thursday brings yet more knockout action, and some excellent knockout action at that. In the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup the back to back champions Harrow are in action in arguably their biggest challenge of this entire Cup run as they host a very much in form Epsom College side. The winner has every chance of going all the way and it is a seismic clash. A huge game of rugby that is not to be missed.
Things are pretty big elsewhere too. In South West B Radley College, among the favourites with their 2024 U15 champions in L6th, host Cup legends RGS High Wycombe, a monumental tie. Meanwhile in Midlands B Uppingham, having one of their best seasons for many a year, take on the former champions Campion, who are playing outstandingly well this season.
It’s a huge day of Cup rugby.
There’s a game in the Bowl too, the London & South East A regional final as QES Barnet host Hinchley Wood.
Outside of the knockouts, some huge games and perhaps chief among them Stowe hosting Mill Hill. Stowe are an excellent side, who for some reason have not been talking about too much this season, meanwhile Mill Hill are outstanding, as their performance against Finborough showed on Saturday. Finborough have a quick chance to bounce back though, on Thursday they host Samuel Whitbread in a massive game. Look out for Samuel Whitbread’s U15s too, who have an U15 Continental Tyres Schools Cup regional final in Midlands B against Northampton School for Boys, a repeat of the U15 St Joseph’s Festival final, will Samuel Whitbread get their own back or will the reigning champions come out on top?
Further North, Trent College host Bishop Vesey’s Grammar, two sides that should be well matched. Meanwhile back down in the South East, King’s Canterbury and St Lawrence College meet in a big game for both.
The South West is where the bulk of the action is on Thursday though, and nowhere more prominently than on Thursday evening at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium where Sir Thomas Rich’s and Cheltenham College go head to head in a fixture that is always so special. Possibly even more special this year as both are also playing fantastic rugby – indeed right at the very top end of the school game. It should be a cracker.
Gloucestershire is busy on Thursday overall, with Wycliffe College hosting Clifton High and Westonbirt travelling to Stonar. Meanwhile The Crypt head to Dean Close to take on their 2nd XV. There is also a game in Wales as Rougemont travel to face Monmouth’s 2nd XV.
Somerset is stacked on Thursday, Downside are in action, taking on King’s Bruton in a big game. Both sides also have 2nd XVs in 1st XV action too, Downside’s taking on Sidcot, while King’s Bruton’s host Leweston. Elsewhere, Wells Cathedral host Monkton Combe, and Prior Park College have a big one against the Beechen Cliff non-ACE side.
In Dorset there are some crackers too. Nowhere more so than at Sherborne, who have been fantastic this year. They host Bryanston in a game that has at certain periods been one between two of the very best in the entire country. It should be a cracker on Thursday. Dauntsey’s are also playing some wonderful rugby this year, they face a good Salisbury 6th form College, meanwhile Canford look to bounce back from a tough weekend as they host Thomas Hardye.
Thursday Fixtures
Canford v Thomas Hardye
Dauntsey’s v Salisbury 6th form College
Dean Close 2nd XV v The Crypt
Downside 2nd XV v Sidcot
Finborough v Samuel Whitbread
Harrow v Epsom College (Cup, LSE A)
Downside v King’s Bruton
King Bruton 2nd XV v Leweston
King’s Canterbury v St Lawrence College
Monmouth 2nd XV v Rougemont
Prior Park College v Beechen Cliff 2nd XV
QES Barnet v Hinchley Wood (Bowl, LSE A)
Radley College v RGS High Wycombe (Cup, South West B)
Sherborne v Bryanston
Sir Thomas Rich’s v Cheltenham College
Stonar v Westonbirt
Stowe v Mill Hill
Trent College v Bishop Vesey’s GS
Uppingham v Campion (Cup, Midlands B)
Wells Cathedral v Monkton Combe
Wycliffe College v Clifton HS
