The Front Row Union Ulster Schools Rugby Rankings, The FRU Rankings

Schools: 1st XV Rankings 2016/17 – Cup, Round 2

Summary // Table // Scores // FAQs

The FRU Ulster Schools Rugby Rankings have undergone something of a format change this season. The first set was released last week to the end of 2016 and going forward we’ll be posting the table after each weekend of a new round in the Cup competition. As Round 2 took place on Saturday 7th it’s time for an update:

RBAI (1st) and Wallace HS (2nd) still sit at the head of the table and with scores that put them both somewhat ahead of the crowd, but Ballymena Academy (3rd) have made a push of late improving their standing by two places and swapping positions with Omagh Academy (5th) in the process.

Making their way into the top ten Friends’ SL (10th) are the highest ranked team to have taken part in Round 2 of the Cup forcing a heavy 57-7 defeat on Antrim GS (23rd) in the process. Meanwhile, Cambridge House (28th) improved by one position after they won the Trophy qualifier against Carrickfergus GS (33th), a match introduced this year by virtue of the fact that 33 teams are now involved in the competitive calendar.


Ulster Schools Rugby Rankings 2016/17 – Cup Round 2, 7th January

  Team Win Ratio Opponent Rating Score Season Rating Previous Position
1 RBAI 1.000 0.575 754 0.962 1
2 Wallace HS 0.786 0.576 619 0.824 2
3 Ballymena Academy 0.722 0.561 560 0.762 5
4 Down HS 0.767 0.518 554 0.753 4
5 Omagh Academy 0.750 0.521 547 0.742 3
6 Methodist College 0.556 0.628 508 0.700 6
7 Campbell College 0.600 0.570 504 0.693 7
8 RS Armagh 0.692 0.489 451 0.637 8
9 Ballyclare HS 0.700 0.484 438 0.621 9
10 Friends’ School 0.731 0.485 418 0.598 11
11 Enniskillen Royal 0.667 0.434 389 0.566 10
12 Sullivan Upper 0.417 0.547 379 0.552 12
13 RS Dungannon 0.571 0.481 376 0.546 13
14 Belfast Royal Academy 0.500 0.518 353 0.520 15
15 Rainey ES 0.500 0.490 342 0.506 14
16 Grosvenor GS 0.364 0.560 302 0.462 20
17 Coleraine GS 0.333 0.616 296 0.453 16
18 Lurgan College 0.600 0.401 294 0.448 18
19 Portadown College 0.462 0.523 282 0.433 19
20 Bangor GS 0.333 0.550 276 0.424 17
21 Regent House 0.455 0.467 251 0.395 21
22 Limavady GS 0.500 0.438 249 0.391 22
23 Antrim GS 0.444 0.394 214 0.353 23
24 Wellington College 0.313 0.495 182 0.317 24
25 Larne GS 0.389 0.354 168 0.300 25
26 Banbridge Academy 0.233 0.503 144 0.273 26
27 Dromore HS 0.250 0.448 143 0.268 28
28 Cambridge House 0.300 0.374 134 0.257 29
29 Dalriada 0.227 0.426 132 0.252 31
30 Belfast HS 0.200 0.457 124 0.240 27
31 Foyle College 0.111 0.545 90 0.203 30
32 Strabane Academy 0.250 0.175 50 0.160 32
33 Carrickfergus GS 0.000 0.416 0 0.113 33

Ulster Schools Rugby Scores

Given below, to the best of our knowledge, is a full list of results for each Ulster Schools Rugby 1stXV that participates in the Schools’ Cup competition; it does not include training/controlled matches, opponents from outside of Ulster, non-schools’ teams or games against teams who are not 1stXV EXCEPT for ‘Select’ squads, indicated by an asterisk *.

Any letters/numbers appearing in brackets () after a result indicates that it was a competitive fixture; the letter (c,p,b,t) gives the form of competition (cup, plate, bowl, trophy) and the number (1-4,q,s,f) indicates the round at which it was played.

If you feel that any information is missing/incorrect, please leave a comment at the bottom stating the correct details along with any ‘evidence’ (website, match report, player) to support your claim.

Antrim GS (ANT)
10th Sep, Away v WEL: 7-7 D
24th Sep, Home v LUR: 7-14 L
8th Oct, Away v CMB: 0-17 W
22nd Oct, Home v LAR: 15-15 D
12th Nov, Away v PDC: 36-5 L
26th Nov, Home v WEL: 26-0 W
10th Dec, Away v BEL: 20-5 L
17th Dec, Away v CAR: 3-31 W
7th Jan, Away v FSL: 57-7 L (c2)

Ballyclare HS (BCL)
3rd Sep, Away v BMA: 7-7 D
10th Sep, Away v BRA: 25-10 L
17th Sep, Home v CCB: 16-15 W
23rd Sep, Away v LAR: 0-17 W
1st Oct, Away v RBAI: 46-3 L
8th Oct, Away v BEL: 12-21 W
19th Oct, Home v LIM: 48-7 W
26th Oct, Home v WHS: 17-31 L
9th Nov, Away v BGS: 31-45 W
19th Nov, Away v FSL: 16-18 W
26th Nov, Home v DAL: 32-0 W
10th Dec, Away v MCB: 36-3 L
17th Dec, Away v COL: 8-17 W
28th Dec, Home* v CMB: 29-10 W
7th Jan, Home v RES: 22-18 W

Ballymena Academy (BMA)
3rd Sep, Home v BCL: 7-7 D
10th Sep, Away v WHS: 64-14 L
24th Sep, Home v BGS: 24-0 W
1st Oct, Away v COL: 21-40 W
8th Oct, Away v MCB: 5-13 W
15th Oct, Home v BRA: 50-0 W
28th Nov, Away v DWN: 12-8 L
10th Dec, Home v CCB: 8-6 W
2nd Jan, Home v WHS: 19-15 W

Banbridge Academy (BANB)
10th Sep, Home v PDC: 17-10 W
14th Sep, Home v RSA: 0-34 L
17th Sep, Home v SUL: 10-28 L
24th Sep, Away v OMA: 22-0 L
1st Oct, Home v ENN: 0-13 L
8th Oct, Away v LUR: 34-0 L
15th Oct, Away v BGS: 61-5 L
22nd Oct, Home v COL: 0-53 L
9th Nov, Away v BEL: 10-17 W
19th Nov, Home v WEL: 21-0 W
3rd Dec, Away v RSD: 34-5 L
10th Dec, Home v BRA: 7-33 L
22nd Dec, Home v LUR: 3-7 L
28th Dec, Home v RES: 7-13 L
7th Jan, Home v DRO: 8-8 D (c2)

Bangor GS (BGS)
10th Sep, Home v RSA: 7-24 L
17th Sep, Away v PDC: 15-5 L
24th Sep, Away v BMA: 24-0 L
1st Oct, Home v BEL: 31-10 W
8th Oct, Away v LIM: 14-21 W
15th Oct, Home v BANB: 61-5 W
22nd Oct, Away v CCB: 20-10 L
9th Nov, Home v BCL: 31-45 L
23rd Nov, Away v FSL: 38-17 L
2nd Dec, Away v DAL: 21-40 W
28th Dec, Away v RBAI: 52-5 L
7th Jan, Away v DWN: 19-14 L

Belfast HS (BEL)
21st Sep, Home v CAR: 50-10 W
24th Sep, Home v PDC: 14-27 L
1st Oct, Away v BGS: 31-10 L
8th Oct, Home v BCL: 12-21 L
22nd Oct, Home v FSL: 0-27 L
9th Nov, Home v BANB: 10-17 L
19th Nov, Away v RSA: 48-0 L
3rd Dec, Home v REG: 0-31 L
10th Dec, Home v ANT: 20-5 W
7th Jan, Home v LIM: 16-20 L (c2)

Belfast Royal Academy (BRA)
10th Sep, Home v BCL: 25-10 W
24th Sep, Away v MCB: 53-10 L
1st Oct, Away v SUL: 27-5 L
8th Oct, Home v WHS: 17-19 L
15th Oct, Away v BMA: 50-0 L
22nd Oct, Home v RSD, 12-17 L
12th Nov, Home v DWN: 22-28 L
19th Nov, Home v DAL: 36-8 W
3rd Dec, Home v COL: 10-8 W
10th Dec, Away v BANB: 7-33 W
17th Dec, Home v RSA: 15-13 W
7th Jan, Home v ENN: 27-0 W

Cambridge House (CMB)
17th Sep, Away v FSL: 76-7 L
24th Sep, Away v DAL: 38-0 L
1st Oct, Home v GRO*: 19-7 W
8th Oct, Home v ANT: 0-17 L
15th Oct, Away v CAR: 12-22 W
29th Oct, Away v RES: 28-26 L
5th Nov, Away v REG: 24-11 L
3rd Dec, Home v LAR: 8-10 L (c1)
28th Dec, Away v BCL*: 29-10 L
7th Jan, Away v CAR: 11-26 W (t1)

Campbell College Belfast (CCB)
17th Sep, Away v BCL: 16-15 L
24th Sep, Away v WHS: 14-7 L
8th Oct, Away v REG: 0-32 W
15th Oct, Home v COL: 58-0 W
22nd Oct, Home v BGS: 20-10 W
12th Nov, Away v GRO: 8-25 W
16th Nov, Home v RBAI: 15-28 L
3rd Dec, Home v MCB: 10-6 W
10th Dec, Away v BMA: 8-6 L
17th Dec, Away v FSL: 7-29 W

Carrickfergus GS (CAR)
9th Sep, Home v LAR: 0-7 L
21st Sep, Away v BEL: 50-10 L
24th Sep, Away v LIM: 45-5 L
15th Oct, Home v CMB: 12-22 L
19th Nov, Home v LUR: 0-52 L
26th Nov, Away v LAR: 35-7 L
3rd Dec, Away v STR: 17-0 L (c1)
17th Dec, Home v ANT: 3-31 L
7th Jan, Home v CMB: 11-26 L (t1)

Coleraine GS (COL)
17th Sep, Home v OMA: 0-11 L
24th Sep, Away v REG: 19-43 W
1st Oct, Home v BMA: 21-40 L
8th Oct, Away v RBAI: 27-10 L
15th Oct, Away v CCB: 58-0 L
22nd Oct, Away v BANB: 0-53 W
12th Nov, Away v ENN: 5-10 W
19th Nov, Away v MCB: 38-10 L
28th Nov, Home v RSD: 30-26 W
3rd Dec, Away v BRA: 10-8 L
17th Dec, Home v BCL: 8-17 L
28th Dec, Away v WHS: 33-0 L

Dalriada (DAL)
14th Sep, Away v GRO: 31-5 L
17th Sep, Away v RES: 12-12 D
24th Sep, Home v CMB: 38-0 W
8th Oct, Home v SUL: 12-62 L
15th Oct, Away v FLC: 13-14 L
19th Nov, Away v BRA: 36-8 L
26th Nov, Away v BCL: 32-0 L
2nd Dec, Home v BGS: 21-40 L
10th Dec, Home v LIM: 12-19 L
7th Jan, Away v LAR: 3-48 W (c2)

Down HS (DWN)
10th Sep, Away v OMA: 10-7 L
17th Sep, Away v GRO: 7-14 W
24th Sep, Home v SUL: 7-0 W
1st Oct, Away v RSA: 21-5 L
8th Oct, Home v PDC: 36-7 W
15th Oct, Away v DRO: 5-19 W
19th Oct, Home v RBAI: 12-36 L
12th Nov, Away v BRA: 22-28 W
19th Nov, Away v REG: 5-34 W
28th Nov, Home v BMA: 12-8 W
3rd Dec, Home v FSL: 19-19 D
10th Dec, Away v SUL: 7-33 W
17th Dec, Home v RSD: 34-7 W
30th Dec, Home v GRO: 29-10 W
7th Jan, Home v BGS: 19-14 W

Dromore HS (DRO)
1st Oct, Away v REG: 12-15 W
15th Oct, Home v DWN: 5-19 L
12th Nov, Away v RES: 15-5 L
19th Nov, Away v RSD: 29-5 L
3rd Dec, Away v PDC: 31-5 L
7th Jan, Away v BANB: 8-8 D (c2) 

Enniskillen Royal (ENN)
10th Sep, Home v FLC: 30-13 W
17th Sep, Home v REG: 22-5 W
24th Sep, Home v RSA: 8-5 W
1st Oct, Away v BANB: 0-13 W
7th Oct, Away v RES: 3-7 W
15th Oct, Away v RSD: 10-22 W
22nd Oct, Away v FLC: 10-22 W
12th Nov, Home v COL: 5-10 L
19th Nov, Away v PDC: 22-12 L
3rd Dec, Home v LIM: 33-0 W
17th Dec, Home v OMA: 5-17 L
7th Jan, Away v BRA: 27-0 L 

Foyle College (FLC)
10th Sep, Away v ENN: 30-13 L
14th Sep, Home v STR: 57-0 W
16th Sep, Away v LIM: 30-0 L
28th Sep, Away v RES: 52-0 L
1st Oct, Away v RSD: 34-3 L
15th Oct, Home v DAL: 13-14 L
22nd Oct, Home v ENN: 10-22 L
3rd Dec, Home v OMA: 0-43 L
7th Jan, Home v REG: 10-19 L (c2)

Friends’ School Lisburn (FSL)
17th Sep, Home v CMB: 76-7 W
30th Sep, Away v LAR: 10-45 W
8th Oct, Home v GRO: 20-18 W
15th Oct, Home v OMA: 9-24 L
22nd Oct, Away v BEL: 0-27 W
12th Nov, Home v WEL: 55-0 W
19th Nov, Home v BCL: 16-18 L
23rd Nov, Home v BGS: 38-17 W
3rd Dec, Away v DWN: 19-19 D
10th Dec, Home v RES: 41-19 W
17th Dec, Home v CCB: 7-29 L
31st Dec, Home v LUR: 52-24 W
7th Jan, Home v ANT: 57-7 W (c2)

Grosvenor GS (GRO)
14th Sep, Home v DAL: 31-5 W
17th Sep, Home v DWN: 7-14 L
24th Sep, Home v RSD: 13-7 W
1st Oct, Away* v CMB: 19-7 L
8th Oct, Away v FSL: 20-18 L
15th Oct, Home v REG: 12-15 L
12th Nov, Home v CCB: 8-25 L
3rd Dec, Away v LUR: 3-17 W
10th Dec, Home v RSA: 49-22 L
30th Dec, Away v DWN: 29-10 L
7th Jan, Home v OMA: 27-20 W

Larne GS (LAR)
9th Sep, Away v CAR: 0-7 W
17th Sep, Away v WEL: 27-7 L
23rd Sep, Home v BCL: 0-17 L
30th Sep, Home v FSL: 10-45 L
22nd Oct, Away v ANT: 15-15 D
26th Nov, Home v CAR: 35-7 W
3rd Dec, Away v CMB: 8-10 W (c1)
28th Dec, Home v WEL: 17-28 L
7th Jan, Home v DAL: 3-48 L (c2)

Limavady GS (LIM)
16th Sep, Home v FLC: 30-0 W
24th Sep, Home v CAR: 45-5 W
1st Oct, Away v WHS: 58-5 W
8th Oct, Home v BGS: 14-21 L
19th Oct, Away v BCL: 48-7 L
22nd Oct, Away v RES: 42-0 L
16th Nov, Home v SUL: 5-31 L
3rd Dec, Away v ENN: 33-0 L
10th Dec, Away v DAL: 12-19 W
7th Jan, Away v BEL: 16-20 W (c2)

Lurgan College (LUR)
24th Sep, Away v ANT: 7-14 W
1st Oct, Away v WEL: 0-35 W
8th Oct, Home v BANB: 34-0 W
29th Oct, Away v OMA: 12-8 L
12th Nov, Home v RSD: 0-6 L
19th Nov, Away v CAR: 0-52 W
3rd Dec, Home v GRO: 3-17 L
22nd Dec, Away v BANB: 3-7 W
31st Dec, Away v FSL: 52-24 L
7th Jan, Home v STR: 39-0 W (c2)

Methodist College Belfast (MCB)
10th Sep, Home v SUL: 12-5 W^
24th Sep, Home v BRA: 53-10 W
1st Oct, Home v OMA: 5-3 W
8th Oct, Home v BMA: 5-13 L
15th Oct, Away v RBAI: 26-5 L
19th Nov, Home v COL: 38-10 W
26th Nov, Away v WHS: 12-5 L
3rd Dec, Away v CCB: 10-6 L
10th Dec, Home v BCL: 36-3 W

Omagh Academy (OMA)
10th Sep, Home v DWN: 10-7 W
17th Sep, Away v COL: 0-11 W
24th Sep, Home v BANB: 22-0 W
1st Oct, Away v MCB: 5-3 L
5th Oct, Home* v STR: 12-0 W
8th Oct, Home v RSD: 17-10 W
15th Oct, Away v FSL: 9-24 W
22nd Oct, Home v RSA: 26-18 W
29th Oct, Home v LUR: 12-8 W
19th Nov, Away v WHS: 31-7 L
24th Nov, Home v RES: 17-5 W
3rd Dec, Away v FLC: 0-43 W
10th Dec, Home v PDC: 51-7 W
17th Dec, Away v ENN: 5-17 W
30th Dec, Home v RBAI: 5-40 L
7th Jan, Away v GRO: 27-20 L

Portadown College (PDC)
10th Sep, Away v BANB: 17-10 L
17th Sep, Home v BGS: 15-5 W
24th Sep, Away v BEL: 14-27 W
1st Oct, Home v RES: 19-31 L
8th Oct, Away v DWN: 36-7 L
15th Oct, Home v RSA: 7-38 L
5th Nov, Away v WHS: 28-7 L
12th Nov, Home v ANT: 36-5 W
19th Nov, Home v ENN: 22-12 W
3rd Dec, Home v DRO: 31-5 W
10th Dec, Away v OMA: 51-7 L
31st Dec, Home v RSD: 14-22 L
7th Jan, Home v WEL: 20-0 W (c2)

Rainey ES (RES)
10th Sep, Away v REG: 45-31 L
17th Sep, Home v DAL: 12-12 D
28th Sep, Home v FLC: 52-0 W
1st Oct, Away v PDC: 19-31 W
7th Oct, Home v ENN: 3-7 L
22nd Oct, Home v LIM: 42-0 W
29th Oct, Home v CMB: 28-26 W
5th Nov, Away v RSD: 38-14 L
12th Nov, Home v DRO: 15-5 W
24th Nov, Away v OMA: 17-5 L
3rd Dec, Home v RSA: 0-28 L
10th Dec, Away v FSL: 41-19 L
17th Dec, Home v SUL: 20-17 W
28th Dec, Away v BANB: 7-13 W
7th Jan, Away v BCL: 22-18 L

RBAI (RBAI)
1st Oct, Home v BCL: 46-3 W
8th Oct, Home v COL: 27-10 W
15th Oct, Home v MCB: 26-5 W
19th Oct, Away v DWN: 12-36 W
16th Nov, Away v CCB: 15-28 W
17th Dec, Away v WHS: 10-19 W
28th Dec, Home v BGS: 52-5 W
30th Dec, Away v OMA: 5-40 W

Regent House (REG)
10th Sep, Home v RES: 45-31 W
17th Sep, Away v ENN: 22-5 L
24th Sep, Home v COL: 19-43 L
1st Oct, Home v DRO: 12-15 L
8th Oct, Home v CCB: 0-32 L
15th Oct, Away v GRO: 12-15 W
5th Nov, Home v CMB: 24-11 W
19th Nov, Home v DWN: 5-34 L
3rd Dec, Away v BEL: 0-31 W
10th Dec, Away v RSD: 26-7 L
7th Jan, Away v FLC: 10-19 W (c2)

RS Armagh (RSA)
10th Sep, Away v BGS: 7-24 W
14th Sep, Away v BANB: 0-34 W
24th Sep, Away v ENN: 8-5 L
28th Sep, Home v RSD: 29-10 W
1st Oct, Home v DWN: 21-5 W
15th Oct, Away v PDC: 7-38 W
22nd Oct, Away v OMA: 26-18 L
12th Nov, Home v WHS: 5-12 L
19th Nov, Home v BEL: 48-0 W
3rd Dec, Away v RES: 0-28 W
10th Dec, Home v GRO: 49-22 W
17th Dec, Away v BRA: 15-13 L
31st Dec, Home v SUL: 40-22 W

RS Dungannon (RSD)
24th Sep, Away v GRO: 13-7 L
28th Sep, Away v RSA: 29-10 L
1st Oct, Home v FLC: 34-3 W
8th Oct, Away v OMA: 17-10 L
15th Oct, Home v ENN: 10-22 L
22nd Oct, Away v BRA: 12-17 W
5th Nov, Home v RES: 38-14 W
12th Nov, Away v LUR: 0-6 W
19th Nov, Home v DRO: 29-5 W
28th Nov, Away v COL: 30-26 L
3rd Dec, Home v BANB: 34-5 W
10th Dec, Home v REG: 26-7 W
17th Dec, Away v DWN: 34-7 L
31st Dec, Away v PDC: 14-22 W

Strabane Academy (STR)
14th Sep, Away v FLC: 57-0 L
5th Oct, Away v OMA*: 12-0 L
3rd Dec, Home v CAR: 17-0 W (c1)
7th Jan, Away v LUR: 39-0 L (c2)

Sullivan Upper (SUL)
10th Sep, Away v MCB: 12-5 L^
17th Sep, Away v BANB: 10-28 W
24th Sep, Away v DWN: 7-0 L
1st Oct, Home v BRA: 27-5 W
8th Oct, Away v DAL: 12-62 W
15th Oct, Home v WHS: 3-0 W
22nd Oct, Home v BMA: 0-17 L
16th Nov, Away v LIM: 5-31 W
30th Nov, Away v WHS: 19-5 L
10th Dec, Home v DWN: 7-33 L
17th Dec, Away v RES: 20-17 L
31st Dec, Away v RSA: 40-22 L

Wallace HS (WHS)
10th Sep, Home v BMA: 64-14 W
24th Sep, Home v CCB: 14-7 W
1st Oct, Home v LIM: 58-5 W
8th Oct, Away v BRA: 17-19 W
15th Oct, Away v SUL: 3-0 L
26th Oct, Away v BCL: 17-31 W
5th Nov, Home v PDC: 28-7 W
12th Nov, Away v RSA: 5-12 W
19th Nov, Home v OMA: 31-7 W
26th Nov, Home v MCB: 12-5 W
30th Nov, Home v SUL: 19-5 W
17th Dec, Home v RBAI: 10-19 L
28th Dec, Home v COL: 33-0 W
2nd Jan, Away v BMA: 19-15 L 

Wellington College (WEL)
10th Sep, Home v ANT: 7-7 D
17th Sep, Home v LAR: 27-7 W
1st Oct, Home v LUR: 0-35 L
12th Nov, Away v FSL: 55-0 L
19th Nov, Away v BANB: 21-0 L
26th Nov, Away v ANT: 26-0 L
28th Dec, Away v LAR: 17-28 W
7th Jan, Away v PDC: 20-0 L (c2)

* Played as/against ‘Select’ squad
^ Match abandoned after halftime


Ulster Schools Rugby Rankings FAQS

Every season people ask questions about these calculations and we welcome them as, in the past, it has helped us to improve the system. Feel free to post your queries, but you may find an answer to one of our FAQs below:

What is the point of the ranking system? The Ulster Schools Rugby Rankings was mainly designed so that every one of the 32 teams involved with Ulster Schools’ 1stXV rugby could be ranked using the data available, without the need for every team to have played against every other.

How is the ranking calculated for each team? The three biggest factors taken into account are each team’s win percentage (number of wins, draws, and losses), opponent rating (the strength of sides faced) and competitive rating (their progression within the various competitions), alongside penalties for inactivity which prevent less active schools being ranked higher than they deserve. The formula produces a score for each team using these factors which then allows us to rank them in order from 1 to 32.

How are these figures actually used to rank the teams? Teams are placed in order firstly by score then by competitive rating, then by form and finally, opponent strength. If there is a still a tie at this point other factors such as head-to-head record, competitive match-ups and inactivity penalties may be taken into account, but it is unlikely that this would be needed, and has so far proven to be so.

Are points/tries for/against taken into account? YES. This is a big change brought in last season which means not only W, D and Ls are important but how they are achieved matters too (although to a lesser extent). Points are now added/subtracted depending on a team’s points difference per game and the opponents these points were scored against.

Hey, my team defeated that one! Should we not be above them? Not necessarily: the Ulster Schools Rugby Ranking for each team is based on the season as a whole, not a head-to-head basis, so often teams can be ranked below those which they have beaten. Don’t worry, if you’re truly better than they are it will show eventually!

What does the score for each team represent? The score shown beside each team is a measure of performance. This is a number between 0 to approx. 1000; the higher the number the better the performance. This allows teams to be compared week-on-week and even season-on-season as the same score in any two weeks represents the exact same level of performance.

So then, what does the rating of each team represent? The decimal rating assigned to each team represents a calculated estimation of that team’s ability. To put it another way, if every team played every other in a full season, the number shown is what win percentage would be expected of each team, given the data available. This is why teams’ ratings change week-on-week even if they haven’t played; it is a comparison with the ability of every other team.

How is opponent strength calculated? Previously, an average was taken across the season as a whole up to that point, but now the average is calculated using the strength of opponent dependant on how strong they were when they actually played the team in question. This has led to a more accurate representation of a team’s performance and stops the situation whereby a team could see their performance improved/downgraded without actually playing that week.

How do inactivity penalties work? Penalties for inactivity accumulate from week to week if a school does not take part in a representative fixture and are factored into the calculation by lowering the a team’s opponent rating. This helps to prevent schools being unfairly ranked above others as sometimes happened with the original system.

What about abandoned games? The result of an abandoned game will be taken into account when more than one half has been played and if one team is winning by seven points or greater when it is stopped; if either one of these conditions is not met the teams involved will only be awarded any points scored during the course of the game.


Corrections, comments or questions?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.