With half term approaching at the end of the week, this midweek of action ought to be a busy and exciting one.
Assuming, of course, that the weather holds out!
There is action across Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with both fifteen-a-side and seven-a-side action on the cards.
Tuesday 10th February
There is just the one game on Tuesday, a Kent classic as Maidstone Grammar and Gravesend Grammar going head to head, two sides that have had some fantastic moments across the season and that should have a great contest on Tuesday.
Tuesday Fixtures
Maidstone GS v Gravesend GS
Wednesday 11th February
On Wednesday there is some fantastic action, including on the 7s field. Haberdashers’ Elstree host their annual Fraser Bird 7s on Wednesday, with a strong field in attendance for what is the last big 7s action before the half term break. It is actually a week long festival of 7s, with the U13s on Monday, the U14s on Tuesday, U15s on Thursday, and U12s on Friday, but on Wednesday it is the U18s inaction. Twelve sides divided into three groups of four, and some outstanding sides among them; Ipswich 7s Plate winners Hurstpierpoint College, the Osgood Memorial 7s runners up Campion, plus some of the strongest sides in the area in Haileybury, Mill Hill, and St Albans, while the brilliant Stowe travel across from Buckinghamshire. It is set to be a brilliant day.
There is also Girls 7s action on Wednesday, this Maidstone Grammar welcoming a host of local rivals for what should be a fantastic day of 7s and a real chance for U18 Girls to get some competitive practice in ahead of the Rosslyn Park 7s in late March.
On the fifteen-a-side field there is plenty going on as well, not least staying in the South East, where on Wednesday evening RGS Guildford and Godalming College meet in an evening kick off at Guildford RFC, which ought to be a superb occasion for all involved.
Grey Court are in action at Twyford High School, while Wilson’s welcome Salesian. There is action at City of London Freemen’s as they host Lingfield College, and Saint Cecilia’s are at home against Hinchley Wood.
Ibstock Place have two fixtures on the card, hosting Emanuel and Radnor House, while there is a massive game at Latymer Upper as they welcome a strong Gordon’s side. Meanwhile back in Kent, Canterbury Academy and Oakwood Park Grammar go head to head.
There are a couple of huge Anglo-Welsh fixtures on Wednesday, starting in Wales where Llandovery College host Sir Thomas Rich’s, two of the strongest sides on either side of the border and what is sure to be a fantastic fixture and a hugely competitive game. Likewise on the English side of the border, where Christ College Brecon visit Hereford 6th form College, two excellent sides that should give each other a great game.
Near Coventry, Bablake host KES Camp Hill, that should be another excellent fixture between two well matched sides, while over in the East Midlands a cracking fixture in Northamptonshire between Saints’ ACE Side, Moulton College, and another with strong links to them, Samuel Whitbread Academy. It should be an absolutely outstanding fixture.
There is also action near Liverpool as Merchant Taylors’, Crosby, welcome Runshaw College. A superb game should unfold there.
Wednesday Fixtures
Bablake v KES Camp Hill
Canterbury Academy v Oakwood Park GS
City of London Freemen’s v Lingfield College
Fraser Bird 7s @ Haberdashers’ Elstree
Hereford 6th form College v Christ College
Ibstock Place v Radnor House
Ibstock Place v Emanuel
Latymer Upper v Gordon’s
Llandovery College v Sir Thomas Rich’s
Maidstone Grammar Girls 7s
Merchant Taylors’ v Runshaw College
Moulton College v Samuel Whitbread Academy
RGS Guildford v Godalming College (Guildford RFC)
Saint Cecilia’s v Hinchley Wood
Twyford HS v Grey Court
Wilson’s v Salesian
Thursday 12th February
There are a couple of games on Thursday as well. In Manchester a game that ought to be a really strong contest as Manchester Grammar and Lancaster RGS go head to head. Neither has had the results they were probably after post-Christmas, but will each be looking at this at feeling it is a game they can put in a top performance into.
There is U17 action on Thursday too, and it ought to be superb, as Berkhamsted and Harrow go head to head. Two of the strongest 1st XVs in the country this year, Thursday’s game ought to be a real indication as to what can be expected from these two next year – a fascinating fixture.
Thursday Fixtures
Berkhamsted U17 v Harrow U17
Manchester GS v Lancaster RGS
