After the conclusion of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup in November attention now moves to the under-16 and under-18 Plate competition which is moving into its semi-final stage.

The semi-finalists confirmed so far are Linlithgow Academy, Earlston High School, Madras College and The Gordon Schools. There is one quarter-final fixture still to take place in the under 18s and two in the under 16s to make up the semi-finalist schools.

Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby, Colin Thomson, said: “The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Plate competition has been extremely competitive this season and it’s great to see a different group of semi-finalists this year.

“Scottish Rugby wishes all teams the best of luck as they pursue the silverware.”

Linlithgow Academy have managed to earn a place in both the under-18 and under-16 semi-finals after some quality performances in earlier rounds. The under-18 team beat Crieff High School (60-0), Kinross High School (46-0), Bell Baxter High School (9-0) and Millburn Academy (19-13) to reach the semis while the under-16s saw off Kirkwall Grammar School (51-7), Morrison’s Academy (51-5) and McLaren High School (45-5).

In the under-18 competition Linlithgow wait to see if they go up against Carrick Academy or Peebles High School, the last under-18 quarter-final to be played on Wednesday 25 January. They are joined by Earlston High School who go head-to-head with Madras College for a place in the final.

Earlston have beaten Kelvinside Academy (19-12), The Berwickshire High School (50-17), Preston Lodge High School (40-12) and Boroughmuir / James Gillespie’s (26-13) so far and Madras have beaten Aberdeen Grammar School (40-7), Buckhaven High School (42-0) and Morrison’s Academy (53-14).

Linlithgow are also joined by The Gordon Schools – the only team to have made it to this stage last year – in the under-16 semi-finals. Linlithgow and The Gordon Schools must wait until later in January to find out their opponents. Linlithgow will play either Marr College or Peebles High School who are due to compete for the place on Wednesday 25 January, while The Gordon Schools will play either Lomond & Helensburgh or Jedburgh Grammar School. This match is still to be rescheduled after being postponed on Sunday 15 January.

In the lead up to the semi-final The Gordon Schools have seen off Aberdeenshire Schools (17-12), Bell Baxter High School (18-10) and Ellon Academy (30-5).

Meanwhile, the Bowl is in the latter stages of competition within each region. These are progressing as follows:

• Glasgow North under-18 Bowl:
Final – Bearsden / Douglas Aademy v Boclair Academy
• Glasgow South under-18 Bowl:
Semi-finalists – Strathmore Schools and Balwearie High School
Round 2 – Carnoustie High School v Queen Ann High School and Morgan Academy v Breadalbane Academy
• Grampian under-18 Bowl:
Winners – Elgin Schools beat Garioch Schools, 29-3
• Central under-18 Bowl:
Final – Queen Victoria Schools v Balfron High School
• Highlands and Islands under-18 Bowl:
Winners – Culloden Academy after Plockton High School conceded the match
• Edinburgh and Midlothian under-18 Bowl:
Winners – Boroughmuir / James Gillespie’s beat Lasswade High School, 36-7
• Borders and East Lothian under-18 Bowl:
Final – Dunbar Grammar School v Knox Academy
• Glasgow North under-16 Bowl:
Semi-finals – Williamwood High School v Castle Douglas High School and Shawlands Academy / Kings Park Secondary School v Paisley Grammar School
• Glasgow South under-16 Bowl:
Final – Biggar High School v Boclair Academy
• Midlands under-16 Bowl:
Winners – Madras College beat Queen Ann High School and Dunfermline High School, 39-0
• Grampian under-16 Bowl:
Winners – Westhill Academy beat Meldrum Academy, 70-29
• Central under-16 Bowl:
Finalist – Larbert High School
Semi-final – Wallace / Dunblane High School v Balfron High School
• Highlands and Islands under-16 Bowl:
Winners – Plockton High School beat Nairn Academy, 15-5
• Edinburgh and Midlothian under-16 Bowl:
Winners – Trinity Academy beat Portobello High School, 19-13
• Borders and East Lothian under-16 Bowl:
Final – Dunbar Grammar School v Hawick High School