Beechen Cliff get the better of Hartpury
IT’S been a congested start to the schools season, with the U18s national cup tournaments kicking off this week to supplement the fortnight’s worth of RFU ACE League action.
In the men’s ACE division, reigning champions Hartpury, who are chasing a recording-extending 13th title, suffered a shock opening round defeat to Beechen Cliff, the Bath linked school overcoming their west country rivals 17-7 to send shudders through the Southern conference. They backed up that win this week, overcoming SGS College 40-7.
Hartpury recovered from that shock loss to thump league newcomers Newman College, who lost their opening fixture to Gordon’s, 45-7. It’s been a baptism of fire for Newman, having shipped the same amount of points to last season’s third-placed Gordon’s the week before – Gordon’s edged out Bishop Wandsworth 24-17 this week. That leaves the two south west based colleges – last season’s runners-up Truro and Penwith, and Exeter College. The latter won the derby this week 29-26 away to avenge their 52-35 defeat to SGS last week. Truro are still searching for a first win having lost 55-14 to Bishop Wandsworth last week.
Up north, Gosforth have carried on their strong group stage form from last season, despite floundering in the knockout stages, to win their first two; a massive 55-0 win over newcomers Moulton College preceded a 29-15 victory over Myerscough.
Last season’s best placed northern side, City of Oxford College, lost 36-19 to Stourport High following a walkover defeat against Myerscough the week before. Oaklands thumped Moulton 68-5 having lost to Bishop Burton in round one, the latter going onto lose to Brooksby Melton, so only Gosforth are unbeaten from the first two.
There were a few notable results in the Schools Cup. Rosslyn Park 7s champions Millfield lost 22-15 to Taunton, both bowl finalists Richards Hale and Huish lost, while contenders from last season like Ipswich and Blundell’s will also be in the vase having lost in the cup.
