The final full weekend of the season brings with it the final Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend, and what a selection there was to choose from.
As mentioned in the roundup of the weekend, it has been an extraordinary season, one of the closest, most competitive, and most unpredictable in recent memory, yet this final full weekend was arguably the best of the top. At least a dozen sides had serious claim to be in this week’s Top 5.
Among them, several sides from the weekend’s Ten to Watch, derby victories for Skinners’, what a season they have had, and Trinity, earning real consideration. In defeat RGS Guildford merited consideration, along with the side that beat them 12-9, Cranleigh.
Cheltenham College were outstanding against Rugby, likewise, as so often this year, Northampton School for Boys against Stowe, and Clifton College in a brilliant game against Warwick. So too Woodhouse Grove, who had to play brilliantly to defeat King’s Macclesfield.
Bloxham are perhaps most unlucky of all, their way win at Bromsgrove was an outstanding performance. Typical of their season, where they are unbeaten in this second half of term with one game remaining.
Unbeaten in the first half of term were Abingdon, and they finished the season off with a brilliant away win at Bedford, in another week they would have been in. Likewise an epic performance in a thriller away from home from Eltham College, and St Benedict’s too at Reed’s. Pate’s Grammar deserve real mention too after coming out on the right side of a classic at Collegiate, 28-27.
Canford’s exciting home win over Sherborne deserves praise too, likewise victories in exciting games at home for Gordon’s and Sir Joseph Williamson’s.
There were some stunning performances on the road this weekend, perhaps chief of all from Exeter School. Langley Park also impressed on the road, as did St George’s Weybridge, while Shiplake College should rightly be proud of their 29-0 victory at Pangbourne College.
Radley College played well in bouncing back from midweek disappointment, winning 36-12 at Tonbridge, and Worth were excellent in a 49-21 victory over Caterham.
High praise for a number of home performances too, particularly Bristol Grammar, who have been so impressive this season. Finborough, Stockport Grammar, and Worksop College were all exceptional on home soil, none of them conceding a point. While Wellington School, St Ambrose College, the brilliant Sir Thomas Rich’s, and Felsted all only conceded once in strong victories.
Likewise Epsom College, who head into the break looking ahead to their Cup semi final with real form and confidence. Their 38-7 victory over Hurstpierpoint was excellent. Eton College were also superb at home to Marlborough College, and there were great displays in the capital from St Paul’s and Cardinal Vaughan. Meanwhile Wymondham College and Sandbach also deserve huge praise for their weekend’s efforts.
A special shoutout to a couple of 2nd XVs as well, who both displayed the depth of quality at their schools – and away from home as well. Sedbergh’s 2nd XV travelled to Scotland to take on Loretto’s 1st XV and earned a stunning 43-7 victory, while Seaford College’s 2nd XV travelled to face the KES Southampton 1st XV in a thrilling game, running out 36-27 victors.
So it was a weekend of so much quality, but the five sides below particularly stood out for us – let us know who impressed you though!
Top 5 School Teams of the Weekend | Week 13:
Bedford Modern
Without painting too bleak a picture, the second half of term has been a tough one for Bedford Modern, four games, four defeats, albeit against some serious opposition in the form of King’s Worcester, Bloxham, St Edward’s, and Cup semi finalists Campion. Looming large in the final game, a Mill Hill side that has proven itself to be at least as good, if not better, than those listed.
So it is a huge credit to James Hawken’s side that they learned from those games and put together a performance that will stick with this group for the rest of their lives, earning a 34-17 victory that they should be immeasurably proud of. The most brilliant way to end the season.
Brighton College
If you are looking to finish the term on a real positive, Wellington College are probably one of the sides you would rather avoid, they have been one of, if not the, best around this season – as their St Joseph’s Festival triumph showed.
Brighton College are different though, the reigning Rosslyn Park and Sedbergh 10s champions like a challenge, and on Saturday they rose to it magnificently, landing a late penalty to earn an 8-5 victory against one of the best in the land. A category that this young Brighton side must be considered in on reflection, only Cup semi finalists, Campion and Epsom, have got the better of Nick Buoy’s side this season.
Dame Allan’s
Since half term only Sedbergh have got the better of Dame Allan’s, but an away game to Durham was a huge challenge for the Continental Tyres Schools Vase semi finalists, Durham have been brilliant this season.
Such is the confidence in Adam Hay’s side at the moment though that they continued this brilliant run of form, riding the wave that has carried them into the Vase semis for a 22-14 victory on the road. A superb performance, and one that will leave them excited heading into Wednesday’s game against ACE giants Gosforth Academy.
Denstone College
As mentioned in our weekend roundup, there was a sense that a big performance was coming from Denstone College. Their results haven’t been what they have wanted, but by and large if you dig beneath the surface, there have been performances and the signs of a strong side.
Nevertheless, that big performance and result probably wasn’t expected to come away from home at one of the strongest sides in the land, Kirkham Grammar School, on Saturday, particularly with captain Fin Charles away on England duty. Yet that is exactly what happened as it all came together for a magnificent 35-26 victory, one of those days that will live long in the memory of all involved.
Ipswich
Ipswich might well be the most underrated side this season. Only Northampton School for Boys, Sedbergh, and Campion have beaten them. Three of the best around. Otherwise Ipswich have been utterly superb, building up to an impressive 22-12 victory over Finborough, the Merchiston Festival Champions, at the end of November.
Perhaps the reason they have been underrated is the lack of a ‘major’ scalp, but on Saturday they had the chance to change that, hosting a brilliant Whitgift side that, like Campion, is in the Cup semi finals. What followed was epic, a tough as teak, gritty, and brilliant game, and a 15-14 victory that demonstrated exactly what this Ipswich side is capable of. A brilliant effort.
