We should have known, in what has been one of the most extraordinary seasons in recent memory it was inevitable that this final weekend of the season would be one that was packed with surprises.
It has been an incredible term of rugby, on any given weekend it feels as though anything could happen. Sides have dropped game where you do not expect them to, picked up games where you also do not, and the number of draws has been astonishing.
Usually picking out the best side in the country is an easy enough task, or at least the debate is quickly usually narrowed down to two. Over the Christmas break try having the debate this year, it is wide open. It has been that kind of a season.
It has made for brilliant viewing and compelling stories, and when we issued a call to arms in Thursday’s previews to make this final weekend one to remember…boy did schools deliver.
For some it won’t have gone how they wanted, but take pride in the achievement of wearing that 1st XV shirt, it is a privilege that few get. For a few sides further chances remain on Wednesday and Saturday, and hopefully the vast majority of players will be involved in the 7s season as well.
For the bulk though, this was the final act of a magnificent 2025 season, here’s how it unfolded…
Ten to Watch
We had agonised over the Ten to Watch, when it’s the final one of the season the reasons to include sides increases enormously and there were so many sides that we wanted to focus in on. Fortunately, the Ten to Watch proved to be utterly compelling.
Perhaps nowhere more so than at Brighton College, where they host the St joseph’s Festival champions Wellington College, one of those sides in the best in the country debate. It was a tight and tense encounter, both sides scoring an unconverted try to have a level game at 5-5. Wellington College were throwing everything at it but time and time again Brighton College were coming up with the key defensive plays, holding the visitors up over the line on umpteen occasions. With just one play remaining, Brighton College landed a penalty, a penalty that was to prove decisive, handing them a stunning 8-5 victory. A huge result for Brighton College, their most significant of the season. Frustrating for Wellington College, but they will get one more chance LIVE on NextGenLive on Thursday against Gordon’s. It was one of the most compelling contests of the season. As was the U16 game, where both sides were unbeaten, Brighton taking victory in that one too to complete a brilliant unbeaten term.
Completing an unbeaten second half of term were the magnificent Bloxham, they travelled to Bromsgrove, who have also been outstanding this term, and a fantastic game broke out. The two sides were so well matched but it was this superb Bloxham unit that found the decisive score for a 19-12 victory.
Tight game were a theme in the Ten to Watch, nowhere more so than in Suffolk, where Ipswich hosted Whitgift. The two were so finely balanced in what was a fantastic example of the drama and competitiveness of schools rugby. Both threw everything at it but it was hosts Ipswich with the late score that sealed the game by the finest of margins, 15-14, and incredible way to finish the season. Particularly so for Ipswich, leaving them having only been defeated by the outstanding Sedbergh and Northampton School for Boys, quietly they have been utterly brilliant.
It was tight in Surrey too, where RGS Guildford hosted Cranleigh. Cranleigh started the season like a train and have been good throughout, but RGS have been quietly excellent and fancied their chances of an upset in this derby. It so nearly came to pass, the sides proved virtually inseparable, but visitors Cranleigh just managed to squeak through for the victory in a brilliant final game of the season, 12-9. Both should be unbelievably proud of their efforts.
There was an epic derby in Kent too as The Judd hosted Skinners’. When the two met in the Cup a month ago Skinners’ had just edged it 27-26, so these two knew they were well matched and that an classic encounter was on the cards. Sometimes the game doesn’t live up to the billing though, however this was no such occasion as we got a repeat of that classic, both sides giving it the kitchen sink as they went all out in a brilliant game. Once again though it was this superb Skinners’ side, who have had one of their greatest seasons, that came out on top, winning a classic 28-22.
In Croydon another derby as John Fisher hosted near neighbours Trinity. Both have had their ups and downs this year, but both have built pockets of confidence. It meant both went into this with real belief, and so it proved in an incredibly tight and tense game. Trinity had the edge though, defensive excellence keeping Fisher scoreless, and crucial moments in attack bringing them a 10-0 victory away from home. A brilliant result for Trinity, but a game for both to be proud of.
Of course not all games can be decided by a score or two, sometimes excellence just cannot be held back and that was certainly the case at Cheltenham College in the oldest schools rugby fixture of all, against Rugby School. Cheltenham have been outstanding this season, Olly Morgan’s side having one of their very best seasons. On Saturday it all came together in one of their best performances of all, Rugby gave it their best but sometimes you just have to take that hat off to the opponent as Cheltenham College secured a quite brilliant 40-7 victory.
Over in Bristol there was another brilliant performance, this time from Clifton College, who have been superb this season without perhaps getting the noise around them that they should. They were under pressure on Saturday, facing a Warwick School side that has been outstanding at times – remember that victory over NSB. Clifton therefore knew they had to be superb, and that was proved in game as Warwick played brilliantly, scoring 25 of their own, but Clifton College met the challenge for a 42-25 victory.
Northampton School for Boys are rounding this term off as they began it, in style. They hosted Stowe on Saturday, a brilliant side that probably hasn’t had the praise that their performances and results have deserved. Stowe were going to require NSB to be at their best, a tough ask after that Cup victory over Kirkham in midweek, but their best was what NSB delivered, winning 33-12. An outstanding performance, and you can see more of NSB LIVE this Tuesday against Seaford College on NextGenLive.
Yorkshire saw two of this season’s most compelling sides go head to head as Woodhouse Grove hosted King’s Macclesfield. Both have had some incredibly hard earned victories this season, and you sensed that this one would have to be hard earned for the victor too. As it turned out, Woodhouse Grove found their groove superbly, playing outstandingly well for a 36-10 victory that deserves a huge amount of respect. Both will need to quickly recover from Saturday’s efforts, Kings Macc face Sedbergh on Tuesday, while Woodhouse Grove sign off against Kirkham Grammar on Saturday. Season climaxes do not come much bigger.
Ten to Watch Results
Brighton College 8-5 Wellington College
Bromsgrove 12-19 Bloxham
Cheltenham College 40-7 Rugby
Clifton College 42-25 Warwick
Ipswich 15-14 Whitgift
John Fisher 0-10 Trinity
Northampton School for Boys 33-12 Stowe
RGS Guildford 9-12 Cranleigh
The Judd 22-28 Skinners’
Woodhouse Grove 36-10 King’s Macclesfield
Friday 5th December
Friday’s results have been a tad slow to come in, however the one that has come in was typical of this incredible season – a draw. Bablake and KES Stratford met on Friday evening and, as we have seen time and time again this season, just could not be separated as they held one another to a 17-17 draw. If ever a game summed up a season.
Friday Results
Bablake 17-17 KES Stratford
Saturday 6th December
Saturday also still has a number of results to come in as end of season celebrations take hold, but what a day it proved to be. There were some epic games of rugby and some of the very best performances of the season from certain schools.
Two of the very best of those were in Bedford, where Bedford Modern had their best result of the season, perhaps even in many a season, beating a Mill Hill side that has hit some astonishing heights this year by an impressive 34-17 margin. A fantastic way to end the season. Also in Bedford, Bedford School hosted Abingdon. Abingdon had an unbeaten first half of term and have had one of their greatest ever seasons. This was a tough one to finish on though, Bedford have been superb this term, but Abingdon were outstanding, earning a 32-21 victory to cap this magnificent season in style.
Down in Hertfordshire, Haileybury and St Albans had an incredibly tight game, but it was Haileybury that just managed to edge the victory, securing a 10-0 win to close the season on a real positive for them. Travelling from Hertfordshire to Cambridge were St George’s Harpenden, they were at The Perse and it was an effort to be proud of for both as St George’s just edged it, 14-10. Wymondham College meanwhile had a season ender to remember, a magnificent performance against Culford yielding a 54-13 victory.
In Suffolk Royal Hospital School finished on a real high at home to Bishop’s Stortford College, winning 32-0, while Framlingham College were also victorious, winning a fantastic contest with New Hall 17-10. In Essex Felsted showed their quality, one of their finest performances of the season against a Madistone Grammar side that has been utterly brilliant at times, winning 45-3. Superb from Felsted. Also in Essex, Coopers’ Coborn signed off with an excellent performance, winning 34-19 against Brentwood.
In North London there were some cracking games, UCS and St Columba’s College drew 19-19, while Bishop’s Stortford High School were at Merchant Taylors’ and just edged a 13-12 victory, fantastic games all around.
Out West to Berkshire, Eton College were outstanding, perhaps as good as they have been all season, putting in a mighty display to sign off for the season in style against Marlborough College, 43-12. Along the road in Reading, Aylesbury Grammar won a cracker at Reading Blue Coat, 24-21, a game where both can reflect with real pride.
Back in South West London, there were some outstanding performances. Epsom College, riding the high of that Cup victory over Radley College, secured a brilliant 38-7 victory over a very good Hurstpierpoint College side. Epsom head into those Cup quarter finals in peak condition. Neighbours St John’s Leatherhead meanwhile had a classic at home against Hampton. Both gave it everything but it was the visitors that just edged this awesome encounter, 22-21.
In Esher, Claremont Fan Court were excellent in a 41-5 victory over Royal Alexandra & Albert, while Cardinal Vaughan were epic at home in Twickenham against Graveney, winning 41-15. Meanwhile in Barnes, a fantastic display from St Paul’s, signing off with one of their best of the season, beating London Oratory 45-12.
Wimbledon saw a couple of crackers. KCS Wimbledon have been magnificent all season long, but they had to be at their best in a tight and tense game at home to Dulwich College on Saturday. They did that though, winning it 13-3, a brilliant way to end the season. It was a different sort of game across the road at Wimbledon College, where they and Emanuel really went at it in a brilliant game, it was the hosts that edged it, winning 29-22.
Out along the A3 to Surrey, Gordon’s are finishing this term on a real high as they put in another fantastic display in a superb game against Windsor Boys’, winning 38-28. Meanwhile there was a classic at Reed’s too as visitors St Benedict’s won a cracker, 36-26, both have had such highs this season and on Wednesday Bennies look to join Reed’s in the Vase semi finals.
There was a fantastic Sussex/Surrey clash as Caterham and Worth went head to head. Worth played brilliantly for a 49-21 victory, but there was plenty in there for Caterham to be proud of too. Travelling out of Sussex were Seaford College’s 2nd XV, facing KES Southampton’s 1st XV. The depth of Seaford’s rugby has been in real evidence this season, and it was so again on Saturday as their 2nd XV secured a thrilling 36-27 victory, one to be proud of. Over at Lord Wandsworth College it was another fantastic performance from this perhaps slightly under-appreciated Hampshire side as they defeated Dauntsey’s 22-12.
Back in Sussex, one of Kent’s best sides sealed an away win on their final day of the season, Duke of York’s Royal Military beating hosts Christ’s Hospital, who have also had a fantastic year, 17-5. Over in Kent, Sevenoaks and Eastbourne College had a battle to remember, the two were barley separable but the hosts just edged it, 14-11. Along the road, Sir Joseph Williamson’s and Dartford Grammar had a cracker, hosts Sir Joseph’s winning that one 33-24.
One of the biggest games of the day saw Radley College travel from Oxford to Kent to face Tonbridge. A few days on from Cup disappointment, Radley were back to their best in an outstanding 36-12 victory, reflective of their brilliance across the season. Elsewhere Langley Park were in sensational form at Gravesend Grammar, winning 47-5, while the game of the day was at Sutton Valence, an absolute classic with Eltham College that the London side won 48-31, a final outing to remember for both. Back in South East London, Colfe’s were excellent in a 26-12 victory over City of London Freemen’s.
Jumping from the South East to the North West and arguably one of the biggest stories of the weekend as Denstone College sealed a thrilling 35-26 victory over Kirkham Grammar School, their highlight of the season for sure. Denstone have had their ups and downs but there was always the sense that there was a huge performance in there, what a time to show it against one of the best around in Kirkham Grammar School, who will now be determined to finish on a high against Woodhouse Grove. Over on The Wirral, Birkenhead signed off with a performance to remember, winning 31-0 against AKS Lytham.
Down in Birmingham, KES Birmingham were fantastic in a 40-21 victory over Trent College, a great finish for them. Trent’s local rivals Nottingham High were in Linclonshire, facing a Worksop College side that put in one of their best displays yet for a 38-0 victory.
In South Lincolnshire, Stamford won the tightest of games against old rivals Uppingham, 10-0, a late crossfield kick providing the decisive blow. Both should head into Christmas feeling incredibly proud of their efforts this year. As should Oakham, who were fantastic away at Oundle, who have also had a strong year, winning 35-5 for a finish to savour.
Up in Yorkshire, St Peter’s York signed off with a mighty performance away at a confident Pocklington, who showed plenty in defeat. St Peter’s will be delighted though with a 40-26 victory. Further north yet, Dame Allan’s capped what has been a mighty season with one of their best results, travelling to a Durham side that has been brilliant this year and earning a 22-14 victory. What a year for both.
Up in Scotland, Sedbergh’s 2nd XV showed the depth of quality at the school, heading across the border to Edinburgh at beating Loretto 43-7. It was, meanwhile, derby day in Glasgow, with Glasgow High School winning 29-17 against Glasgow Academy, a cracking game to finish on.
Down in the South West of England good games kept on coming, and in Bristol was arguably the game of the day as Pate’s Grammar won an epic at Collegiate 28-27. An incredible way to finish the season and a game that both will remember for years. Along the road Bristol Grammar had a day to remember too, a magnificent performance against King’s College Taunton earning them a 45-12 victory.
Over in Gloucestershire, some glorious performances, not least from Sir Thomas Rich’s, who overcame midweek heartbreak for a stunning 55-7 victory over Solihull. They really are an outstanding team. Elsewhere there was a classic at Dean Close as they just edged out Old Swinford Hospital 31-24, a cracking encounter – both have been impressive this year. Wycliffe College also signed off with an excellent performance, winning 24-5 at Rendcomb College.
Over in Wales, Kingswood had travelled from Somerset to take on Monmouth. It was a great contest, but this Kingswood side has been so good all year and were so again on Saturday in a fantastic 26-12 victory. Back in their native Bath, KES Bath were back to winning ways with a 19-7 victory over Prior Park College, while Monkton Combe won 14-0 at Downside, a brilliant effort.
Typical of the season was a tense 12-12 draw between the magnificent Taunton School and a Blundell’s side that is surely one of the most determined around, a great game. Wellington School meanwhile had a brilliant final outing at home against a Clayesmore XV, winning 64-5, what a way to sign off for the season.
Over in Clayesmore’s Dorset, there was a fantastic game as Canford finished with a performance to be proud of, beating Sherborne 34-22. It’s not the finish Sherborne wanted, but their season has been one of the most memorable in a many a year. Along the road, Exeter School were quite simply outstanding away at Bryanston, winning 43-0 for the perfect finish. Finally, in Hampshire, Ryde School finished off with a strong performance at Embley for a 21-12 victory.
Saturday Results
Bedford 21-32 Abingdon
Bedford Modern 34-17 Mill Hill
Birkenhead 31-0 AKS Lytham
Brentwood 19-34 Coopers’ Coborn
Bristol GS 45-12 King’s College, Taunton
Bryanston 0-43 Exeter School
Canford 34-22 Sherborne
Cardinal Vaughan 41-15 Graveney
Caterham 21-49 Worth
Christ’s Hospital 5-17 Duke of York’s RMS
Claremont Fan Court 24-7 Royal Alexandra & Albert
Colfe’s 26-12 City of London Freemen’s
Collegiate 27-28 Pate’s GS
Dean Close 31-24 Old Swinford Hospital
Downside 0-14 Monkton Combe
Durham 14-22 Dame Allan’s
Embley 12-21 Ryde
Epsom College 38-7 Hurstpierpoint College
Eton College 43-12 Marlborough College
Felsted 45-3 Maidstone GS
Framlingham College 17-10 New Hall
Glasgow HS 29-17 Glasgow Academy
Gordon’s 38-28 Windsor Boys’
Gravesend GS 5-47 Langley Park
Haileybury 10-0 St Albans
KCS Wimbledon 13-3 Dulwich College
KES Bath 19-7 Prior Park College
KES Birmingham 40-21 Trent College
KES Southampton 27-36 Seaford College 2nd XV
Kirkham GS 26-35 Denstone College
Lord Wandsworth College 22-12 Dauntsey’s
Loretto 7-43 Sedbergh 2nd XV
Merchant Taylors’ 12-13 Bishop’s Stortford HS
Monmouth 12-26 Kingswood
Oundle 5-35 Oakham
Pocklington 26-40 St Peter’s, York
Reading Blue Coat 21-24 Aylesbury GS
Reed’s 26-36 St Benedict’s
Rendcomb College 5-24 Wycliffe College
Royal Hospital 32-0 Bishop’s Stortford College
Sevenoaks 14-11 Eastbourne College
Sir Joseph Williamson’s 33-24 Dartford GS
Sir Thomas Rich’s 55-7 Solihull
St John’s, Leatherhead 21-22 Hampton
St Paul’s 45-12 London Oratory
Stamford 10-0 Uppingham
Sutton Valence 31-48 Eltham College
Taunton 12-12 Blundell’s
The Perse 10-14 St George’s, Harpenden
Tonbridge 12-36 Radley College
UCS 19-19 St Columba’s College
Wellington School 64-5 Clayesmore XV
Wimbledon College 29-22 Emanuel
Worksop College 38-0 Nottingham HS
Wymondham College 54-13 Culford
Still to Come:
Austin Friars v Newcastle School for Boys
Finborough v Norwich
Halliford v St George’s Weybridge
King’s Canterbury v Simon Langton GS
King’s Rochester v King William’s College
Pangbourne College v Shiplake College
QEGS Wakefield v RGS Newcastle
RGS Colchester v St Edmund’s College
Sandbach v Haberdashers’ Adams
St Ambrose College v Manchester GS
St Lawrence College v Chatham & Clarendon GS (Friday)
St Olave’s GS v Chislehurst & Sidcup GS
Stockport GS v St Anselm’s College
The Oratory v Magdalen College (Friday)
Tiffin v Reigate GS
Wirral GS v Merchant Taylors’ Crosby
