Knockout contests starting to get serious

TUESDAY saw the last eight draw for the National Schools’ tournaments with the quarter-finals of the Cup, Plate, Vase all decided.

In the north and midlands section of the Cup competition, unbeaten duo King’s Macclesfield and Finborough collide, both chasing a first semi-final place in their history.

RGS Newcastle and Oakham are no strangers to the latter stage of the competition, with the former having featured in a final and the latter having won two titles. The two attacking sides will be likely to put on an exciting quarter-final.

Down south Marlborough and Blundell’s have been in inconsistent form this season but will look to keep their impressive cup runs going, while reigning champions Trinity edged the final last 16 match 24-22 against Judd and will travel to Harrow.

Croydon-based Trinity burst into an early lead but were pegged back by Judd, who went into the game unbeaten.

In the Plate – the competition for sides who exited the main competition in the first round – plenty of big schools remain, and the pick of the clashes will see 1998 and ‘99 cup finalists RGS High Wycombe host Epsom College, while Welsh giants Monmouth School host Wimbledon College – who make the long trip over the border for their first plate quarter-final game in six years.

In the County cups, Cardinal Vaughan won against Fulham Boys by the same scoreline of 24-22 to reach the Middlesex Plate Final, while Wirral Grammar battle past Cheadle Hulme 2417 to set up a tie with King’s Macclesfield in the Cheshire Cup Final.

In the new Schools Championship – a separate competition for the biggest public schools that welcome in sixthform sports scholars – Kane James starred as Sedbergh beat Wellington 21-13 in the howling wind and rain to move within a point of Millfield at the top of the table.