Under-Eighteen's NatWest School's Cup and Vase: QF Round-Up

Four Semi-finalists Headed for Allianz Park in Natwest Under-Eighteens Schools Cup and Vase Competitions

As we close in on the trail to Twickenham, the semi-finalists of the under-eighteens Schools Cup and Vase competitions were decided across eight ties this week.

All matches up until this round have been hosted by one of the teams competing, but the semi-finals will take place at Allianz Park, home of Aviva Premiership leaders Saracens, at the end of the month.

Holders of the NatWest Schools Cup, Bromsgrove School, are still on course to defend their title, while Queen Elizabeth Grammar School of Wakefield made a 700-mile round trip to face Truro.

Bloxham School of Oxfordshire squeezed through to the semi-finals of the under-eighteens Vase, while St Ambrose College and Pangbourne College put together convincing wins.

Under-Eighteens Cup

Bromsgrove School travelled to High Wycombe to face Royal Grammar School looking to seal a semi-final spot as they aim to defend their title after last year’s final victory over Dulwich College.

Although the reigning champions headed in to the break with the score at 12-3, RGS High Wycombe came out for the second half with a renewed energy, but were eventually overpowered by Bromsgrove who sealed a 31-13 victory away from home.

Whitgift School are also on course for another under-eighteens Cup title, after winning it in 2010 and 2011, as they edged past Wilmslow High School on home soil.

Luke James scored a try in the final minute of the game for Wilmslow, but it was too little too late as their stint in the competition came to a close.

2007 Champions Warwick School are also through to the semi-finals of the Cup, beating Hampton School by just 10 points to 9.

Warwick went in at the break with a comfortable 10-3 lead, but failure to kick on in the second half meant Hampton came close to topping their opponents, but couldn’t find a final three points come the end of the game.

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, of Wakefield, are on course to feature in their first under-eighteens Cup final since 2000, when they lost out to Colston’s School.

They saw off Truro School after flying more than 350 miles to face the Cornish side, as they secured a 20-0 victory.

The Cup semi-finals will take place at Allianz Park on Saturday the 27^th of February, with Bromsgrove playing Whitgift, and Warwick playing against Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.

Under-Eighteens Vase

The under-eighteens Vase competition in certain to have a new winner, as none of the final four teams remaining have won the competition in its 16-year history.

2011 finalists St George’s College, from Weybridge in Surrey, failed to progress to the semi-finals of this year’s tournament, losing 30-17 to Northampton School for Boys on home soil.

Bloxham School edged past Altrincham Grammar School to seal a spot in the semi-finals at Allianz Park, battling to a 16-13 win.

Bloxham had gone in to the break with a 6-3 lead through the boot of Jake Manning, before a second half try from Will Brown, assisted by quick passing play between George Cassell and George Grieve, helped seal the victory.

2003 finalists Coopers’ Company & Coborn School also crashed out of the competition, losing 20-0 to an impressive St Ambrose College in Altrincham.

With the final game being played on Thursday afternoon, Pangbourne College travelled to Bath to face Downside School for Boys, and sailed through to the semi-finals with ease.

A hat-trick of tries from Pangbourne’s Costin, aided by superb kicking from Leonard, helped their side to a 29-7 victory, after Downside scored a last minute try.

The semi-finals for the vase competition will also be played at Allianz Park on the 27^th of February, as Northampton face Bloxham and St Ambrose go head-to-head with Pangbourne.