2017–18 RFU Junior Vase

The 2017–18 RFU Junior Vase is the 28th version of the RFU Junior Vase national cup competition (9th using the name RFU Junior Vase) for clubs at level 9 and below of the English rugby union system. The competition consists of 134 clubs divided into four regions. The winners of each region then advance to the national semi-finals with the final being held at Twickenham Stadium in London at the end of the season, along with the RFU Intermediate Cup and RFU Senior Vase finals.

2017–18 RFU Junior Vase
Tournament details
CountriesEngland
Tournament format(s)knockout
Date2 September 2017 – 6 May 2018
Tournament statistics
Teams134
Final
VenueTwickenham Stadium
ChampionsOld Otliensians (1st title)
Runners-upSouth Molton

The 2017–18 champions were Yorkshire club, Old Otliensians, who defeated the Devon side, South Molton, 31–21 in the final. Old Otliensians were worthy winners of the competition, scoring over 260 points on route to the final, whilst conceding only 15, a run which included a club record 126–0 over Wallsend in the early stages.[1] Old Otliensians victory was the 11th by a Yorkshire club since the competition began in 1990.

London & South East Junior Vase

The London & South East Junior Vase involves a knock-out competition with 1st round, 2nd round, 3rd round, 4th round, semi-finals and final. The winners of the London & South East Junior Vase then go on to the national Junior Vase semi-finals where they face the winners of the South West Junior Vase. There are 55 teams involved in the London & South East Junior Vase, all of which are 1st XV sides, coming from the following unions and leagues.

Union(s) League(s) / Level Participants
Eastern CountiesEastern Counties 1 (9)2
EssexEssex 1 (9)4
HampshireHampshire 1 (9)5
Hampshire 2 (10)2
HertfordshireHerts/Middlesex 1 (9)2
Herts/Middlesex 2 (10)1
KentKent 1 (9)6
Kent 2 (10)5
No league1[a 1]
MiddlesexHerts/Middlesex 1 (9)2
Herts/Middlesex 2 (10)2
SurreySurrey 1 (9)6
Surrey 2 (10)4
Surrey 3 (11)3
Surrey 4 (12)3
SussexSussex 1 (9)4

Round 1

Byes: Ashford (K1), Bognor (H1), Burgess Hill (SX1), Cranbrook (K1), Gillingham Anchorians (K1), Millbrook (H1), Royston (HM1), Sandown & Shanklin (H1), Uckfield (SX1)

Date Home Score Away
14/10/2017[2]Bank of England (HM1)45–53Old Whitgiftian (SY1)
Bec Old Boys (SY2)26–24Old Gravesendians (K1)
Brockleians (K2)HWOOld Suttonians
Chipstead (SY1)HWOAskeans (K2)
Cranleigh (SY2)HWOAldershot & Fleet (H2)
Dagenham (E1)HWOOld Millhillians (HM2)
Egham Hollowegians (SY4)10–33Alton (H2)
Fareham Heathens (H1)HWOWorth Old Boys (SY3)
Farnborough (H2)HWOKingston (SY2)
Harwich & Dovercourt (E1)HWOBeccles (EC1)
Hellingly (SX1)10–26Old Mid-Whitgiftian (SY1)
Ipswich Y.M. (EC1)HWOStanford Le Hope (E1)
Old Walcountians (SY1)AWOSeaford (SX1)
Old Wimbledonians (SY1)HWOSouthwark Lancers (K1)
Purley John Fisher (SY3)59–7Greenwich (K2)
Reigate (SY4)HWODartford Valley (K2)
Sittingbourne (K1)HWOOld Blues (SY1)
Southampton (H2)26–81Reeds Weybridge (SY2)
Thamesians (HM2)42–7Barnet Elizabethans (HM1)
Wasps FC (HM1)HWOCuffley (HM2)
Whitstable (K2)38–17Croydon (SY3)
Woking (SY4)80–5Ventnor (H1)
Writtle Wanderers (E1)51–15Thurston (EC1)

Round 2
Date Home Score Away
14/10/2017[3]Bec Old Boys (SY2)HWOBrockleians (K2)
Bognor (H1)HWOFarnborough (H2)
Cranbrook (K1)HWOThamesians (HM2)
Cranleigh (SY2)20–11Burgess Hill (SX1)
Fareham Heathens (H1)33–37Chipstead (SY1)
Harwich & Dovercourt (E1)HWODagenham (E1)
Old Mid-Whitgiftian (SY1)19–21Ashford (K1)
Old Whitgiftian (SY1)30–8Gillingham Anchorians (K1)[a 2]
Old Wimbledonians (SY1)76–0Sittingbourne (K1)
Purley John Fisher (SY316–10Uckfield (SX1)
Reigate (SY4)0–41Millbrook (H1)
Royston (HM1)22–14Ipswich Y.M. (EC1)
Sandown & Shanklin (H1)HWOWoking (SY4)
Seaford (SX1)27–10Alton (H2)
Wasps FC (HM1)12–18Writtle Wanderers (E1)
Whitstable (K2)AWOReeds Weybridge (SY2)

Round 3
Date Home Score Away
02/12/2017[5]Bec Old Boys (SY2)8–22Ashford (K1)
Bognor (H1)31–27Cranleigh (SY2)
Chipstead (SY1)29–5Seaford (SX1)
Harwich & Dovercourt (E1)7–54Royston (HM1)
Millbrook (H1)25–22Purley John Fisher (SY3)
Reeds Weybridge (SY2)48–23Cranbrook (K1)
Sandown & Shanklin (H1)12–34Old Wimbledonians (SY1)
20/01/2018[5]Writtle Wanderers (E1)10–26Gillingham Anchorians (K1)

Round 4
Date Home Score Away
20/01/2018[6]Ashford (K1)20–5Royston (HM1)
Chipstead (SY1)18–10Bognor (H1)
Millbrook (H1)15–17Old Wimbledonians (SY1)
10/02/2018[6]Gillingham Anchorians (K1)17–15Reeds Weybridge (SY2)

Semi-finals
Date Home Score Away
24/02/2018[7]Ashford (K1)3–15Chipstead (SY1)
Old Wimbledonians (SY1)29–17Gillingham Anchorians (K1)

Final

The winners of the London & South East Junior Vase final would advance to the national semi-finals.

Date Home Score Away
17/03/2018[8]Old Wimbledonians (SY1))0–27[9]Chipstead (SY1)

Midlands Junior Vase

The Midlands Junior Vase is a direct knockout cup with a 1st round, 2nd round, 3rd round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final The winner of the final goes forward to the National Vase semi-finals where they face the winners of the Northern section.[10] The competition involves 50 clubs from the following unions and level 9-10 leagues:

Union(s) League(s) / Level Participants
East MidlandsMidlands 4 East (South) (9)5
LeicestershireMidlands 4 West (South) (9)1
North MidlandsMidlands 4 West (North) (9)4
Midlands 4 West (South) (9)3
Midlands 5 West (North) (10)5
Midlands 5 West (South) (10)1
No league1[a 3]
Notts, Lincs & DerbyshireMidlands 4 East (North) (9)9
Midlands 4 East (South) (9)2
Midlands 5 East (North) (10)6
StaffordshireMidlands 4 West (North) (9)4
Midlands 5 West (North) (10)3
WarwickshireMidlands 4 West (South) (9)3
Midlands 5 West (South) (10)3

Round 1

Byes: Amber Valley (M5EN), Ashfield (M4EN), Aston Old Edwardians (M4WN), Bedford Swifts (M4ES), Bloxwich (M4WN), Brackley (M4ES), Burbage (M4WS), Harbury (M4WS), Keresley (M5WS), Mansfield Woodhouse (M5EN), Mellish (M4EN), St Leonards (M5WN), St Neots (M4ES), Tupton (M4EN)

Date Home Score Away
16/09/2017[11]Atherstone (M5WS)81–0Gnosall (M5WN)
Bourne (M4ES)28–0Skegness (M4EN)
Chaddesley Corbett (M5WN)22–21Aldridge (M5WS)
Church Stretton (M4WN)HWOStourport (M5WN)
Claverdon (M4WS)7–16Yardley & District (M4WN)
Deepings (M4ES)HWOBingham (M5EN)
East Retford (M4EN)55–8Stamford College Old Boys (M4ES)
Five Ways Old Edwardians0–39Stoke Old Boys (M4WS)
Linley & Kidsgrove (M5WN)11–12Eccleshall (M4WN)
Market Drayton (M4WN)HWOBishop's Castle & Onny Valley (M5WN)
Nottinghamians (M5EN)17–22Chesterfield Panthers (M4EN)
Ollerton (M4EN)AWOGainsborough (M5ENN)
Pershore (M4WS)84–19Greyhound (M5WN)
Redditch (M4WS)0–19Wednesbury (M4WN)
Rugeley (M4WN)HWOBirmingham Civil Service (M4WS)
Thorney (M4ES)31–24Boston (M4EN)
Trinity Guild (M5WS)HWOWarley (M5WN)
Worksop (M4EN)12–36North Hykeham (M5EN)

Round 2
Date Home Score Away
07/10/2017[12]Amber Valley (M5EN)15–36East Retford (M4EN)
Brackley (M4ES)HWOAston Old Edwardians (M4WN)
Burbage (M4WS)10–65Ashfield (M4EN)
Chesterfield Panthers (M4EN)HWOMansfield Woodhouse (M5EN)
Church Stretton (M4WN)HWOChaddesley Corbett (M5WN)
Eccleshall (M4WN)HWOAtherstone (M5WS)
Gainsborough (M5ENN)10–30Bourne (M4ES)
Keresley (M5WS)17–35Bedford Swifts (M4ES)
Mellish (M4EN)24–19Deepings (M4ES)
North Hykeham (M5EN)22–10Thorney (M4ES)
St Leonards (M5WN)15–8Market Drayton (M4WN)
St Neots (M4ES)16–18Harbury (M4WS)
Stoke Old Boys (M4WS)66–26Rugeley (M4WN)
Trinity Guild (M5WS)22–66Bloxwich (M4WN)
Wednesbury (M4WN)22–17Pershore (M4WS)
Yardley & District (M4WN)HWOTupton (M4EN)

Round 3
Date Home Score Away
28/10/2017[13]Ashfield (M4EN)11–6Wednesbury (M4WN)
Bedford Swifts (M4ES)8–12Harbury (M4WS)
Bloxwich (M4WN)22–5East Retford (M4EN)
Bourne (M4ES)38–12Chesterfield Panthers (M4EN)
Church Stretton (M4WN)HWOSt Leonards (M5WN)
Eccleshall (M4WN)19–17Stoke Old Boys (M4WS)
North Hykeham (M5EN)40–14Mellish (M4EN)
Yardley & District (M4WN)29–27Brackley (M4ES)

Quarter-finals
Date Home Score Away
18/11/2017[14]Ashfield (M4EN)27–36Eccleshall (M4WN)
Bloxwich (M4WN)34–41Bourne (M4ES)
Harbury (M4WS)15–12Church Stretton (M4WN)
Yardley & District (M4WN)12–35North Hykeham (M5EN)

Semi-finals
Date Home Score Away
20/01/2018[15]Eccleshall (M4WN)HWOHarbury (M4WS)
North Hykeham (M5EN)15–18Bourne (M4ES)

Final

The winners of the Midlands Junior Vase would advance to the National Junior Vase semi-finals.

Date Home Score Away
17/03/2018[16]Bourne (M4ES)13–27[17]Eccleshall (M4WN)

Northern Junior Vase

Unlike the other regional competitions, the Northern Junior Vase starts with a mini-league stage, in which the eligible clubs are placed in 2 regional pools of 3 teams each. The winners of each pool then face each other in the Northern Vase final, with the winner advancing to the National Junior Vase semi-finals, where they will face the winners of the Midlands section. There are 6 teams (1st XV only) involved in the Northern Junior Vase representing the following unions and leagues:

Union(s) League(s) / Level Participants
Durham CountyDurham/Northumberland 3 (9)1
CheshireLancs/Cheshire Division 3 (9)2[a 4]
CumbriaNo league[a 5]1
NorthumberlandDurham/Northumberland 3 (9)1
YorkshireYorkshire 3 (9)1

Pool 1 (West)
Pool 1[19]
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Points
1Ramsey (LC3)2200838754
2Creighton21013781-442
3Liverpool University (LC3)20022051-310
2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw.[20]
Date Home Score Away
14/10/2017Liverpool University (LC3)15–34[21]Creighton
18/11/2017Ramsey (LC3)17–5[22]Liverpool University (LC3)
10/02/2018Creighton (LC3)3–66[23]Ramsey (LC3)

Pool 2 (East)
Pool 2[24]
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Points
1Old Otliensians (Y3)220019801984
2Wallsend (DN3)210149147-982
3West Hartlepool T.D.S.O.B. (DN3)200221121-1000
2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw.[20]
Date Home Score Away
14/10/2017Old Otliensians (Y3)126–0[1]Wallsend (DN3)
10/18/2017Wallsend (DN3)49–21[25]West Hartlepool T.D.S.O.B. (DN3)
10/02/2018West Hartlepool T.D.S.O.B. (DN3)0–72[25]Old Otliensians (Y3)

Final

The winners of the Pool 1 (West) and Pool 2 (East) would meet in the Northern Junior Vase final. The winners of this final would then advanced to the National Junior Vase semi-finals.

Date Home Score Away
17/03/2018[26]Old Otliensians (Y3)37–3[27]Ramsey (IoM) (LC3)

South West Junior Vase

The South West Junior Vase consist of three stages, with representatives from the different unions joining at different points. The Dorset & Wilts and Gloucestershire clubs first play in county based knock-out tournaments, with the winners advancing to either the Southern Counties or South West Counties area semi-finals, where they join the other south-west representatives. The winners of each area final then meet in the South West Junior Vase final to determine who goes through to the national semi-finals, where they face the winners of the London and South East section.

The South West Junior Vase involves 23 clubs (1st XV only) from the following unions and leagues:[a 6]

Union(s) League(s) / Level Participants
BerkshireBerks/Bucks & Oxon Championship (9)1
BuckinghamshireBerks/Bucks & Oxon Championship (9)1
DevonDevon League 1 (10)1
Dorset & WiltsDorset & Wilts 2 South (9)4
Dorset & Wilts 2 North (9)4
Dorset & Wilts 3 South (10)1
No league1[a 7]
GloucestershireGloucester 1 (9)8
OxfordshireBerks/Bucks & Oxon Championship (9)1
SomersetSomerset 1 (9)1

Stage 1 (Dorset & Wilts)

10 teams were involved in the Dorset & Wilts RFU Junior Vase qualification. The winners would advanced to the Southern Counties semi-finals.

First Round
Date Home Score Away
23/09/2017[28]Amesbury36–19Colerne Calne (DW2N)
Poole (DW3S)7–63Puddletown (DW2S)
Quarter-finals
14/10/2017[29]AmesburyHWOColerne (DW2N)
East Dorset (DW2S)25–3Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew (DW2S)
Puddletown (DW2S)25–18Dinton (DW2S)
Westbury (DW2N)HWOCricklade (DW2N)
Semi-finals
18/11/2017[30]AmesburyHWOWestbury (DW2N)
Puddletown (DW2S)34–5East Dorset (DW2S)
Final
02/12/2017[31]Puddletown (DW2S)32–31Amesbury

Stage 1 (Gloucestershire)

8 teams were involved in the Gloucestershire RFU Junior Vase qualification tournament. The winners of the competition would go through to the South West Counties final.

First Round
Date Home Score Away
02/09/2017[32]Berry Hill (G1)28–30Widden Old Boys (G1)
Cheltenham North (G1)16–37Brockworth (G1)
North Bristol (G1)22–26Old Colstonians (G1)
Southmead (G1)10–67Old Cryptians (G1)
Semi-finals
16/09/2017[33]Widden Old Boys (G1)37–23Old Cryptians (G1)
23/09/2017[33]Old Colstonians (G1)27–24Brockworth (G1)
Final
14/10/2017[34]Old Colstonians (G1)31–5Widden Old Boys (G1)

Stage 2 (Southern Counties)

The winners of the Dorset & Wilts Junior Vase would join representatives from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire unions in the Southern Counties knock-out stage. The winners would advance to play the South West Counties winners in the south-west regional final.

Semi-finals
Date Home Score Away
10/02/2018[35]Aldermaston (BBOC)5–29Puddletown (DW2S)
Oxford (BBOC)31–15Risborough (BBOC)
Final
24/02/2018[36]Puddletown (DW2S)13–36Oxford (BBOC)

Stage 2 (South West Counties)

The winners of the Gloucestershire Junior Vase would meet the representatives from the Somerset RFU in the semi-final, while the representatives from Devon RFU had a bye into the South West Counties final due to Cornish clubs not taking part this season. The winners would advance to play the Southern Counties winners in the south-west regional final.

Semi-finals
Date Home Score Away
10/02/2018[37]Old Colstonians (G1)46–7Bristol Barbarians (S1)
Final
24/02/2018[38]South Molton (D1)[a 8]24–10Old Colstonians (G1)[a 9]

Stage 3 (South West final)

The winners of the Southern Counties and South West Counties final would meet in the south-west regional final. The winners of this final would then advanced to the national semi-finals.

Date Home Score Away
17/03/2018[39]Oxford (BBOC)13–13[a 10]South Molton (D1)

National Junior Vase

4 teams qualified from the regional vase competitions:

  • London & South East Junior Vase – Chipstead (SY1)
  • Midlands Junior Vase – Eccleshall (M4WN)
  • Northern Junior Vase – Old Otliensians (Y3)
  • South West Junior Vase – South Molton (D1)

The Midlands winners would face the North winners in the first semi-final, while the London & South East winners would face the South-West winners in the other, with the winners of each semi-final meeting in the Twickenham final. Home advantage in the semi-finals will be decided by a draw.[41]

Semi-finals
Date Home Score Away
31/03/2018Old Otliensians (Y3)28–12[42]Eccleshall (M4WN)
South Molton (D1)12–10[43]Chipstead (SY1)

Final
6 May 2018
11:00
Old Otliensians (Y3) 32–21 South Molton (D1)
Report
Twickenham Stadium, London
Referee: Callum Sharp

[44][45]

Notes
  1. A member of the Kent RFU (Old Suttonians) also took part in the competition despite not being involved in any leagues within the English rugby union system.
  2. Despite initially losing their second round game against Old Whitgiftian, Gillingham Anchorians were reinstated back into the London Junior Vase after Old Whitgiftian were later expelled for breaching competition rules.[4]
  3. A member of the North Midlands RFU (Five Ways Old Edwardians) also took part in the competition despite not being involved in any official league within the English rugby union system.
  4. The breakaway of 19 Lancashire RFU clubs at the start of the 2017–18 season meant that no clubs from this union were involved in the RFU Junior Vase that year.[18]
  5. A member of the Cumbria (Creighton) also took part in the competition despite being outside of the official English rugby union system (they were in the Cumbria Shield League).
  6. Note that a representative from the Cornwall RFU is not taking part in the Junior Vase this season due to Cornwall League 1 and Cornwall League 2 amalgamating into one league and containing both level 9 and level 10 clubs.
  7. The Dorset & Wilts representatives also include a 1st XV club (Amesbury) not currently involved in any league within the English rugby union system.
  8. South Molton received a bye through to the South West Counties final as Cornish teams were not included in this year's competition.
  9. The RFU website incorrectly lists Oxford as South Molton's opposition (they would meet Oxford next in the south-west final).
  10. South Molton progressed to the national semi-finals by virtue of scoring more tries - 2 to 1 - than Oxford.[40]

See also

References
  1. "Old Otliensians score record-breaking 126-0 win over Wallsend in RFU Junior Vase". Wharfedale Observer. 16 October 2017.
  2. "London & SE Junior Vase Round 1". England Rugby. 14 October 2017.
  3. "London & SE Junior Vase Round 2". England Rugby. 14 October 2017.
  4. "In Touch (Kent RFU Newsletter)" (PDF). Kent RFU. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  5. "London & SE Junior Vase Round 3". England Rugby. 20 January 2018.
  6. "London & SE Junior Vase Round 4". England Rugby. 10 February 2018.
  7. "London & SE Junior Vase Semi Final". England Rugby. 24 February 2018.
  8. "London & SE Junior Vase Final". England Rugby. 17 March 2018.
  9. "Old Wimbledonians - Junior Vase Final 0 vs. 27 Chipstead RFC". Chipstead RFC (Pit. 17 March 2018.
  10. "Midlands Division Cups". England RFU. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  11. "Midlands Junior Vase Round 1". England Rugby. 16 September 2017.
  12. "Midlands Junior Vase Round 2". England Rugby. 7 October 2017.
  13. "Midlands Junior Vase Round 3". England Rugby. 28 October 2017.
  14. "Midlands Junior Vase Quarter Final". England Rugby. 18 November 2017.
  15. "Midlands Junior Vase Semi Final". England Rugby. 20 January 2018.
  16. "Midlands Junior Vase Final". England Rugby. 17 March 2018.
  17. "Maudsley's pride at Bourne's achievements despite defeat in historic Vase clash". Stamford Mercury. 19 March 2018.
  18. "North West league restructuring (June 14 2018)". RFU North. 14 June 2018.
  19. "Northern Division Junior Vase Pool 1". England Rugby. 10 February 2018.
  20. "NORTH DIVISION ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS 2017-2018" (PDF). North Division RFU. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  21. "Big away win". Creighton RUFC (Pitchero). 14 October 2017.
  22. "Ramsey win on Vase debut". Ramsey RUFC (Pitchero). 18 November 2017.
  23. "Ramsey into quarter finals of Vase". Ramsey RUFC (Pitchero). 10 February 2018.
  24. "Northern Division Junior Vase Pool 2". England Rugby. 10 February 2018.
  25. "Northern Division Junior Vase Pool 2". England Rugby. 10 January 2018.
  26. "Northern Division Final". England Rugby. 24 February 2018.
  27. "Pack power takes Old Otliensians to the brink of Twickenham". Ilkley Gazette. 28 February 2018.
  28. "Dorset & Wilts Junior Vase Round 1". England Rugby. 23 September 2017.
  29. "Dorset & Wilts Junior Vase Quarter Finals". England Rugby. 14 October 2017.
  30. "Dorset & Wilts Junior Vase Semi Finals". England Rugby. 18 November 2017.
  31. "Dorset & Wilts Junior Vase Final". England Rugby. 2 December 2017.
  32. "Gloucestershire Junior Vase Round 1". England Rugby. 2 September 2017.
  33. "Gloucestershire Junior Vase Semi Finals". England Rugby. 23 September 2017.
  34. "Gloucestershire Junior Vase Final". England Rugby. 14 October 2017.
  35. "Southern Counties Junior Vase Semi Finals". England Rugby. 10 February 2018.
  36. "Southern Counties Junior Vase Final". England Rugby. 24 February 2018.
  37. "South West Counties Junior Vase Semi Finals". England Rugby. 10 February 2018.
  38. "South West Counties Junior Vase Final". England Rugby. 24 February 2018.
  39. "South West Junior Vase Final". England Rugby. 17 March 2018.
  40. "RUGBY UNION: Junior Vase, BB&O and Southern Counties North reports". Oxford Mail. 20 March 2018.
  41. "RFU REGULATION 13 – ADULT COMPETITIONS" (PDF). England Rugby. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  42. "Old Otliensians dreaming of Twickenham glory after semi-final win". Telegraph & Argus. 1 April 2018.
  43. "South Molton clinch Twickenham final after RFU Junior Vase victory over Chipstead". North Devon Gazette. 3 April 2018.
  44. "LIVE BLOG: Old Otliensians v South Molton from Twickenham". Telegraph & Argus. 6 May 2018.
  45. "South Molton's Twickenham adventure ends in defeat". North Devon Gazette. 8 May 2018.
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