For almost a fortnight each preview and roundup has been billed ‘the last games of the term, but this midweek preview really does have the very last fixtures of the term.
Most schools played their final fixtures over the last few weeks but for 22 sides this midweek represents the final outing. For many the final ever outing in their school 1st XV colours.
It has been a memorable term of rugby, perhaps the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory. It has been near enough impossible to guess what might happen in any given game, such has been the slim differences between sides.
These final fixtures will surely reflect that, more than that though they will represent a chance to finish the term with real pride. Results will be what they will be, but in a final outing for the team, the goal is to leave the field with a performance you can be proud of and remember fondly forever.
It should be a very special few fixtures.
Tuesday 16th December
The action starts on Tuesday as RGS Colchester and Woodbridge meet. The two were due to play back in September, but finally get their chance against one another on Tuesday in what should be a real celebration of rugby at both schools. Expect a spirited display from both sides, who have been competitive this year and will be eager to finish on a high.
Tuesday Fixtures
RGS Colchester v Woodbridge
Wednesday 17th December
The rest of the action all happens on Wednesday and there is a special one at North Bristol RFC where Hereford 6th form College and Ivybridge Community College meet, two sides that have been hugely competitive over the last couple of years and that should put on a great show on Wednesday afternoon. A fantastic game awaits. It’s a big day for Hereford 6th form College, their Girls 1st XV are also in action, facing Loughborough College in a massive game.
There are a couple of ACE Colleges in schools rugby clashes this Wednesday, now that the ACE League has concluded. Saracens’ Oaklands College are in action in Hertfordshire away at Samuel Ryder Academy, who will be excited to have this fixture on the cards. It ought to be a fantastic occasion. It’s a derby up in Northamptonshire as Northampton Saints’ Moulton College head to Samuel Whitbread Academy, who are such a force in the area and whose U15s this year have been sensational. There will be plenty of familiarity between the two, so expect huge competitiveness on the field, but great friendship off it.
Campion have been one of the best teams in the country this year, and they have reached the Continental Tyres Schools Cup semi finals, displaying that quality. They round off for the term at home to a competitive Gravesend Grammar School side, who would love nothing more than to stun the high flying Campion. The hosts are going to be determined though, they want to keep this momentum high heading into the break and looking ahead to the semi final in March.
In Kent there is another of the year’s star sides in action, Maidstone Grammar, who have been one of the real success stories of the season. They will want to round it off in style but face a tough challenge in the form of Hayes, who are a strong group and will test their hosts. Meanwhile Oakwood Park Grammar look to finish off in style at home against The Archbishop’s, who would love a big performance to round of their term.
Back in London, Graveney welcome Carshalton, Kyle Sinckler’s old school will be eager for a big display in this final outing of the year. Meanwhile out towards Virginia Water, Salesian welcome Esher College, both sides looking for a massive performance ahead of the break.
Out to the West, Cheltenham Bournside and Cleeve go head to head, a game that should be a fantastic spectacle and a really tight one too, both have had some big moments this season that they would love to replicate in this final game.
Further North, KES Camp Hill’s final outing of the term is a fantastic home game against Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby, both side have had busy seasons and some gritty displays that have really impressed, they will be going out on Wednesday to give everything they possible can, and it should make for one of the games of the day.
Wednesday Fixtures
Campion v Gravesend GS
Cheltenham Bournside v Cleeve
Graveney v Carshalton
Hereford 6th form College v Ivybridge College (North Bristol RFC)
KES Camp Hill v Habs’ Abraham Darby
Maidstone GS v Hayes
Oakwood Park GS v The Archbishop’s
Salesian v Esher College
Samuel Ryder Academy v Oaklands College
Samuel Whitbread v Moulton College
