Under-Eighteen’s Natwest Schools Cup – Divisional Finals part 2

As schools from around the country edge closer and closer to Twickenham, the final eight teams have been decided and will face off against one another in the quarter finals of the Natwest Schools Cup.

With the competition being played regionally so far, the tournament will now enter the national stages which will see schools travel up and down the country to secure a spot in the semi-finals at Allianz Park.

London & SE A
In the only broadcasted game of the eight fixtures, Whitgift School played host to St. Joseph’s College of Ipswich, which was shown live on the England Rugby Youtube channel.

After Adrian Sanday found a gap in the Whitgift defence, Harry Davies made a burst towards the try line before passing it inside to Jacob Dormer to touch down, helping St Joseph’s College to a 8-3 lead at half time.

But the boot of Sam Morley and a superb individual try from Sidney Holland took Whitgift in to a lead of 11 points to 8, where they would remain for the rest of the game to secure a quarter-final spot.

London & SE B
In the other divisional final for London and the South-East, Simon Langton Grammar School hosted Hampton School but couldn’t overcome the attacking power of the visitors.

A total of seven tries for Hampton, along with a number of penalties from the boot of Ben S, saw them ease to a 46-0 victory in Canterbury which puts them through to the national stage of the Cup.

Midlands A
After both of their fifth round fixtures were played later than expected, Bedford Modern School and Bromsgrove School will go head to head next week, with both sides keen on progressing.

Midlands B
Despite reaching the semi-finals of last year’s competition, Oundle School were not able to make it to the national stages of this year’s tournament after travelling east to Warwick School.

Warwick eased to a 19-0 lead at half time, but Oundle could only muster a solitary try in the second half and the hosts sealed the deal with a victory by 32 points to 7.

North A
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, of Wakefield, have also secured a spot in the national stages of the tournament having seen off St Peter’s School in York.

The game finished 18 points to nil in favour of the travelling side, ensuring their name is in the hat for Friday’s quarter-final draw.

North B
After Woodhouse Grove School travelled to Cheshire to face Wilmslow High School, they were unable to return home victorious having been dominated from the get-go.

After taking a 17-point lead inside 20 minutes, Wilmslow eased to a 29-5 victory on home soil, meaning they’re now just two games away from Twickenham.

Southwest A
Having overcome Portsmouth Grammar School just two weeks ago, Stowe School travelled to High Wycombe Royal Grammar School in one of the two Southwest divisional finals.

The quick turnaround for Stowe proved crucial as they fell victim to a ruthless RGS fifteen, who secured a 14-0 win to keep their campaign alive.

Southwest B
Earlier in the week, St Peter’s Royal Catholic High School travelled from Gloucester to face Truro School, but had to make the return journey having been knocked out of the competition.

Truro secured a narrow victory by 15 points to 8 on Monday evening, ensuring they were the first name to go in to the hat for the quarter-final draw.

The draw will take place on Friday, 29^th of January, and will be live-streamed at England Rugby, with the quarter-final fixtures being played in the week commencing 8^th of February.