Some unbelievable performances on Wednesday have opened up the ACE league, and created a thrilling final round where six teams can still make the play-offs for the top 4, and 4 sides can still win the league title. Before a full preview of what promises to be a spectacular final round in almost a month, let’s dive into the fixtures from the 28th of January.
Round 8 – Wednesday 28th January
Bishop Burton 12-58 Loughborough
Nothing short of a bonus point win would have been good enough for Loughborough as they battle fiercely with Oxford for the final spot in the top 4, and they delivered. Burton might be winless across the ACE season so far, but it is still a tricky place to travel to, as proven by some close results this season. However, Loughborough had enough in the tank to get the job done and head into next week’s crunch match with the Activate Girls Academy full of confidence.
City of Oxford 53-0 Henley College
The perfect result for the City of Oxford. A bonus point win as they keep their place with Loughborough ahead of the final round. This result keeps them in 5th place, just two points behind the Lightning’s college side, who also tasted victory on the road. It all comes down to next week’s re-arranged fixture between the two sides on the 4th of February, as only 1 spot remains in the championship play-off places. If Loughborough win, they would need just a point in their final game to secure a semi-final spot. If the City of Oxford win, they must match Loughborough’s result on the final day to stay ahead – a thrilling conclusion to a long season for both these sides.
Hartpury College 41-15 Exeter College
Cat. Pigeons. Et Cetera. What a win for the Acorns. The top three all have matching records, with Exeter and Worthing still to play each other on the final day, so suddenly the door is open for the record-time champions to place themselves in poll position come the final day. Their superior scoring, including picking up a bonus point in this one and extending their record as top bagsmen (or bagswomen, one should say) in the competition, has them two points clear as things stand, so if they can match Worthing or Exeter’s results next week, depending on who comes out on top, they take the league title. Not the grand prize, but a return to form, much needed after a few seasons lacking silverware down in Gloucestershire – a rare occurrence indeed. It was the power of Hartpury that got them over the line, and their pack can take the plaudits.
Newman College L-W SGS College
The only game without a recorded scoreline at the time of writing, but SGS have registered the game as a victory, and a good one as well, away from home on the south coast. This game actually bumps SGS above Newman in the table, although they are still likely to finish the league season paired up together in 7th and 8th, as there is no longer time for either team to catch Oaklands in 6th place. Still, a third win of the season for SGS, and bragging rights over their emerging rivals.
Oaklands College 27-40 Worthing College
An exceptionally nervous mid-week match-up for Worthing, who knew that only a bonus point would keep them in contention for top spot heading into the final round, and their mammoth clash with the defending champions, Exeter. Oaklands enjoyed some strong home support and really tested Worthing, even if they could not contain the side’s high-flying Harlequins back-line. Oaklands have been the “nearly” side all season, just out of touch with the top 5, but performances like this act as encouraging signs for the Wolves ahead of next season. Worthing must turn their attention to the final day…
You can catch all the previous rounds’ results and find out the final scores here on the Nextgen Website, or via our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @NextGenRugby.
