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

Schools: 1st XV Rankings 2015/16 – Week 10

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[wc_tab title=”REVIEW”]With the start of a new year comes Week 10 of this season’s 1stXV rankings, and with quite a few games taking place, despite the break and inclement weather, there have been significant changes to the table:

Campbell College (1) still sit at the top of the table keeping their place secure with a win over BRA (18) although their nearest rivals are now RBAI (2) who ended a bad spell that saw them slip from the top with wins over Bangor GS (12) and Omagh Academy (11). This leaves Ballymena Academy and Wallace HS  down in 3rd and 4th respectively, the latter defeating the former 19-10 on the first weekend of 2016.

Further changes in ranking are not seen until past the midway point where Lurgan College (20) have improved by one place despite their loss to Friends’ SL (19) given that RS Dungannon have dropped down the table (21) after their defeat against Portadown College (17). RS Armagh (26) and Limavady GS (27) have also exchanged places after a 47-0 result between the two teams which comes as only the third win of the Armagh side’s endeavours so far.

Expect some interesting changes next week as a number of sides face each in the first round of the 1stXV Schools’ Cup. Fixtures are as follows:

1stXV Cup, Round 1 – Sat 9th Jan
Banbridge Academy icon Banbridge Academy v Antrim GS Antrim GS icon
Belfast HS icon Belfast HS  v Foyle College Foyle College icon

Cambridge House icon Cambridge House v Limavady GS Limavady GS icon
Larne GS icon Larne GS v RS Armagh RS Armagh icon
Lurgan College icon Lurgan College v Portadown College Portadown College icon
RS Dungannon icon RS Dungannon v Carrickfergus GS Carrickfergus GS icon OR Strabane GS Strabane Academy icon
Wellington College icon Wellington College v Friends’ SL Friends' SL icon

You can read more about the competition by clicking here and don’t forget to enter your own predictions for a chance to win Ulster Rugby vouchers![/wc_tab][wc_tab title=”RANKINGS”]

 Schools’ 1stXV Rankings 2015/16 – Week 10
  Team Win Ratio Opponent Rating Score Season Rating Previous Position
1 Campbell College 0.864 0.539 634 0.851 1
2 RBAI 0.750 0.592 605 0.818 4
3 Ballymena Academy 0.750 0.584 599 0.807 2
4 Wallace HS 0.786 0.541 588 0.793 3
5 Rainey ES 0.818 0.463 486 0.687 5
6 Dalriada 0.792 0.458 474 0.670 6
7 Coleraine AI 0.571 0.548 467 0.660 7
8 Down HS 0.545 0.562 464 0.653 8
9 Portora RS 0.750 0.476 461 0.646 9
10 Grosvenor GS 0.700 0.489 450 0.630 10
11 Omagh Academy 0.750 0.441 428 0.605 11
12 Bangor GS 0.536 0.554 392 0.565 12
13 Methodist College 0.333 0.728 389 0.558 13
14 Regent House 0.545 0.512 379 0.544 14
15 Ballyclare HS 0.500 0.571 375 0.536 15
16 Sullivan Upper 0.417 0.542 370 0.527 16
17 Portadown College 0.643 0.454 337 0.494 17
18 Belfast Royal Academy 0.400 0.553 317 0.469 18
19 Friends’ School 0.667 0.348 280 0.428 19
20 Lurgan College 0.500 0.408 244 0.388 21
21 RS Dungannon 0.385 0.525 242 0.382 20
22 Larne GS 0.429 0.353 189 0.326 22
23 Cambridge House 0.333 0.453 181 0.314 23
24 Foyle College 0.250 0.543 177 0.305 24
25 Belfast HS 0.333 0.421 172 0.296 25
26 RS Armagh 0.214 0.546 151 0.272 27
27 Limavady GS 0.167 0.523 110 0.226 26
28 Banbridge Academy 0.143 0.499 101 0.213 28
29 Carrickfergus GS 0.182 0.325 74 0.182 29
30 Wellington College 0.167 0.316 73 0.177 30
31 Antrim GS 0.083 0.359 59 0.159 31
32 Strabane Academy 0.000 0.044 23 0.119 32

[/wc_tab][wc_tab title=”RESULTS”]

Given below, to the best of our knowledge, is a full list of results for each Ulster Schools’ 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 (x,1-3,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)
26th Sep, Away v LUR: 17-14 L
3rd Oct, Away v DAL*: 7-7 D
7th Nov, Away v LAR: 20-17 L
14th Nov, Away v PDC: 47-14 L
5th Dec, Away v FSL: 31-5 L
12th Dec, Home v BEL: 14-17 L

Ballyclare HS (BCL)
5th Sep, Home v BMA: 10-38 L
12th Sep, Home v BRA: 13-6 W
19th Sep, Away v CCB: 50-3 L
3rd Oct, Home v RBAI: 3-29 L
10th Oct, Home v BEL: 14-0 W
17th Oct, Away v LIM: 7-31 W
21st Oct, Away v WHS: 31-0 L
7th Nov, Home v GRO: 17-12 W
14th Nov, Home v BGS: 32-6 W
21st Nov, Away v FLC: 12-24 W
28th Nov, Home v DAL: 20-43 L
18th Dec, Home v COL: 5-28 L

Ballymena Academy (BMA)
5th Sep, Away v BCL: 10-38 W
12th Sep, Home v WHS: 10-3 W
19th Sep, Home v RBAI: 14-30 L
26th Sep, Away v BGS: 3-18 W
2nd Oct, Home v COL: 23-18 W
10th Oct, Home v MCB: 23-22 W
17th Oct, Away v BRA: 3-38 W
7th Nov, Away v COL: 5-14 W
14th Nov, Home v SUL: 35-10 W
12th Dec, Away v CCB: 21-15 L
19th Dec, Home v DHS: 42-10 W
2nd Jan, Away v WHS: 19-10 L

Banbridge Academy (BANB)
12th Sep, Away v PDC: 18-5 L
16th Sep, Away v RSA: 33-3 L
19th Sep, Away v SUL: 34-5 L
26th Sep, Home v OMA: 0-24 L
3rd Oct, Away v PRS: 40-5 L
10th Oct, Home v LUR: 5-16 L
17th Oct, Home v BGS: 7-32 L
24th Oct, Home v COL: 0-22 L
6th Nov, Home v CAR: 41-0 W
14th Nov, Away v BEL: 7-0 L
21st Nov, Away v WEL: 7-12 W
28th Nov, Away v GRO: 29-0 L
5th Dec, Home v RSD: 12-22 L
2nd Jan, Away v RES: 17-7 L

Bangor GS (BGS)
12th Sep, Away v RSA: 5-31 W
19th Sep, Home v PDC: 10-14 L
26th Sep, Home v BMA: 3-18 L
3rd Oct, Home v BEL: 19-14 W
10th Oct, Home v LIM: 49-17 W
17th Oct, Away v BANB: 7-32 W
21st Oct, Home v CCB: 7-36 L
6th Nov, Home v BRA: 7-24 L
14th Nov, Away v BCL: 32-6 L
28th Nov, Home v FSL: 12-10 W
5th Dec, Home v DAL: 22-19 W
9th Dec, Home v WHS: 10-10 D
16th Dec, Away v REG: 28-29 W
28th Dec, Home v RBAI: 3-12 L

Belfast HS (BEL)
10th Sep, Home v LIM: 5-12 L
19th Sep, Home v CAR: 12-21 L*
26th Sep, Away v PDC: 24-15 L
3rd Oct, Away v BGS: 19-14 L
16th Oct, Home v LAR: 29-21 W
24th Oct, Away v FSL: 46-25 L
14th Nov, Home v BANB: 7-0 W
5th Dec, Away v REG: 67-12 L
12th Dec, Away v ANT: 14-17 W
29th Dec, Home v PRS: 23-37 L

Belfast Royal Academy (BRA)
12th Sep, Away v BCL: 13-6 L
19th Sep, Home v LUR: 31-5 W
26th Sep, Home v MCB*: 28-17 W
3rd Oct, Home v SUL: 13-7 W
10th Oct, Away v WHS: 27-0 L
17th Oct, Home v BMA: 3-38 L
24th Oct, Away v RSD: 10-7 L
6th Nov, Away v BGS: 7-24 W
14th Nov, Away v DHS: 23-0 L
21st Nov, Home v DAL: 15-21 L
28th Nov, Home v REG: 43-5 W
5th Dec, Away v COL: 12-5 L
18th Dec, Away v RSA: 19-35 W
28th Dec, Away v CCB: 12-7 L

Cambridge House (CMB)
12th Sep, Away v COL: 10-0 L
19th Sep, Home v FSL: 0-34 L
26th Sep, Away v DAL: 64-0 L
3rd Oct, Away v GRO*: 20-11 L
17th Oct, Home v CAR: 35-10 W
7th Nov, Home v REG: 24-55 L
14th Nov, Home v STR: 13-0 W
5th Dec, Home v LUR: 12-22 L
12th Dec, Home v LAR: 15-3 W

Campbell College Belfast (CCB)
19th Sep, Home v BCL: 50-3 W
23rd Sep, Home v RSA: 7-0 W
26th Sep, Home v WHS: 15-15 D
10th Oct, Home v REG: 38-0 W
17th Oct, Away v COL: 17-13 L
21st Oct, Away v BGS: 7-36 W
21st Nov, Away v RBAI: 6-10 W
25th Nov, Home v SUL: 55-0 W
5th Dec, Away v MCB: 0-19 W
12th Dec, Home v BMA: 21-15 W
28th Dec, Home v BRA: 12-7 W

Carrickfergus GS (CAR)
11th Sep, Home v LAR 15-30 L
19th Sep, Away v BEL*: 12-21 W
26th Sep, Away v LIM: 21-17 L
3rd Oct, Away v OMA*: 26-14 L
10th Oct, Home v FLC*: 19-38 L
17th Oct, Away v CMB: 35-10 L
6th Nov, Away v BANB: 41-0 L
14th Nov, Home v FSL: 10-17 L
28th Nov, Home v LAR: 0-27 L
5th Dec, Away v WEL: 12-7 L
16th Dec, Home v STR: 10-3 W (cx)

Coleraine GS (COL)
5th Sep, Away v RSA: 19-15 L
12th Sep, Home v CMB: 10-0 W
19th Sep, Away v OMA: 14-0 L
23rd Sep, Home v REG: 23-27 L
2nd Oct, Away v BMA: 23-18 L
10th Oct, Away v RBAI: 27-5 L
17th Oct, Home v CCB: 17-13 W
24th Oct, Away v BANB: 0-22 W
4th Nov, Away v DAL: 7-27 W
7th Nov, Home v BMA: 5-14 L
21st Nov, Home v MCB: 20-10 W
28th Nov, Away v RSD: 7-34 W
5th Dec, Home v BRA: 12-5 W
18th Dec, Away v BCL: 5-28 W

Dalriada (DAL)
12th Sep, Home v GRO: 17-15 W
19th Sep, Home v RES: 42-0 W
26th Sep, Home v CMB: 64-0 W
3rd Oct, Home v ANT: 7-7 D*
10th Oct, Home v SUL: 35-17 W
17th Oct, Away v FLC: 12-38 W
4th Nov, Home v COL: 7-27 L
14th Nov, Away v REG: 19-22 W
21st Nov, Away v BRA: 15-21 W
28th Nov, Away v BCL: 20-43 W
5th Dec, Away v BGS: 22-19 L
12th Dec, Away v LIM: 5-36 W

Down HS (DHS)
12th Sep, Home v OMA: 18-20 L
16th Sep, Away v MCB*: 17-11 L
19th Sep, Home v GRO: 7-21 L
23rd Sep, Away v SUL: 27-13 L
30th Sep, Home v RSA: 41-0 W
10th Oct, Away v PDC: 15-27 W
17th Oct, Home v FSL: 49-7 W
24th Oct, Away v LUR: 7-44 W
14th Nov, Home v BRA: 23-0 W
21st Nov, Home v REG: 13-7 W
19th Dec, Away v BMA: 42-10 L

Foyle College (FLC)
12th Sep, Home v PRS: 10-18 L
19th Sep, Home v LIM: 48-17 W
26th Sep, Away v RES: 17-10 L
3rd Oct, Home v RSD: 14-19 L
10th Oct, Away v CAR: 19-38 W*
17th Oct, Home v DAL: 12-38 L
24th Oct, Away v PRS: 12-0 L
21st Nov, Home v BCL: 12-24 L

Friends’ School Lisburn (FSL)
12th Sep, Home v RSD: 28-14 W
19th Sep, Away v CMB: 0-34 W
10th Oct, Away v GRO: 24-0 L
17th Oct, Away v DHS: 49-7 L
24th Oct, Home v BEL: 46-25 W
4th Nov, Home v WEL: 36-10 W
14th Nov, Away v CAR: 10-17 W
21st Nov, Away v RSD: 5-17 W
28th Nov, Away v BGS: 12-10 L
5th Dec, Home v ANT: 31-5 W
17th Dec, Home v PDC: 7-8 L
2nd Jan, Away v LUR: 12-17 W

Grosvenor GS (GRO)
12th Sep, Away v DAL 17-15 L
19th Sep, Away v DHS: 7-21 W
26th Sep, Away v RSD: 12-16 W
3rd Oct, Home v CMB: 20-11 W*
10th Oct, Home v FSL: 24-0 W
17th Oct, Away v REG: 19-8 L
24th Oct, Home v PDC: 25-5 W
7th Nov, Away v BCL: 17-12 L
21st Nov, Away v LAR: 3-38 W
28th Nov, Home v BANB: 29-0 W

Larne GS (LAR)
11th Sep, Away v CAR 15-30 W
10th Oct, Away v RES: 25-7 L
16th Oct, Away v BEL: 29-21 L
7th Nov, Home v ANT: 20-17 W
21st Nov, Home v GRO: 3-38 L
28th Nov, Away v CAR: 0-27 W
12th Dec, Away v CMB: 15-3 L

Limavady GS (LIM)
5th Sep, Home v RSD: 3-15 L
12th Sep, Away v BEL: 5-12 W
19th Sep, Away v FLC: 48-17 L
26th Sep, Home v CAR: 21-17 W
3rd Oct, Home v WHS: 7-24 L
10th Oct, Away v BGS: 49-17 L
17th Oct, Home v BCL: 7-31 L
23rd Oct, Away v RES: 32-0 L
14th Nov, Away v OMA: 10-0 L
18th Nov, Away v SUL: 48-10 L
2nd Dec, Home v PRS: 0-57 L*
12th Dec, Home v DAL: 5-36 L
2nd Jan, Away v RSA: 47-0 L

Lurgan College (LUR)
9th Sep, Home v PDC: 5-24 L
19th Sep, Away v BRA: 31-5 L
26th Sep, Home v ANT: 17-14 W
3rd Oct, Home v WEL: 5-3 W
10th Oct, Away v BANB: 5-16 W
24th Oct, Home v DHS: 7-44 L
7th Nov, Home v OMA: 3-7 L
14th Nov, Away v RSD: 17-6 L
21st Nov, Home v RSA: 13-12 W
5th Dec, Away v CMB: 12-22 W
12th Dec, Away v WEL: 10-49 W
2nd Jan, Home v FSL: 12-17 L

Methodist College Belfast (MCB)
12th Sep, Away v SUL: 12-10 L*
16th Sep, Home v DHS: 17-11 W*
26th Sep, Away v BRA: 28-17 L*
10th Oct, Away v BMA: 23-22 L
24th Oct, Home v RBAI: 7-8 L
21st Nov, Away v COL: 20-10 L
28th Nov, Home v WHS: 12-5 W
5th Dec, Home v CCB: 0-19 L

Omagh Academy (OMA)
12th Sep, Away v DHS: 18-20 W
19th Sep, Home v COL: 14-0 W
26th Sep, Away v BANB: 0-24 W
30th Sep, Away v PRS: 10-19 W
3rd Oct, Home v CAR: 26-14 W*
7th Oct, Home v STR: 15-14 W*
10th Oct, Away v RSD: 7-10 W
24th Oct, Away v RSA: 5-17 W
7th Nov, Away v LUR: 3-7 W
14th Nov, Home v LIM: 10-0 W
21st Nov, Home v WHS: 0-26 L
25th Nov, Away v RES: 37-10 L
19th Dec, Home v PRS: 5-5 D
2nd Jan, Away v RBAI: 17-3 L

Portadown College (PDC)
9th Sep, Away v LUR: 5-24 W
12th Sep, Home v BANB: 18-5 W
19th Sep, Away v BGS: 10-14 W
26th Sep, Home v BEL: 24-15 W
3rd Oct, Away v RES: 25-0 L
10th Oct, Home v DHS: 15-27 L
17th Oct, Away v RSA: 8-16 W
24th Oct, Away v GRO: 25-5 L
7th Nov, Home v WHS: 0-25 L
14th Nov, Home v ANT: 47-14 W
21st Nov, Away v PRS: 24-7 L
28th Nov, Home v WEL: 34-0 W
17th Dec, Away v FSL: 7-8 W
2nd Jan, Away v RSD: 12-22 W

Portora RS (PRS)
12th Sep, Away v FLC: 10-18 W
19th Sep, Away v REG: 24-0 L
26th Sep, Away v RSA: 5-26 W
30th Sep, Home v OMA: 10-19 L
3rd Oct, Home v BANB: 40-5 W
17th Oct, Home v RSD: 16-3 W
24th Oct, Home v FLC: 12-0 W
21st Nov, Home v PDC: 24-7 W
2nd Dec, Away v LIM*: 0-57 W
19th Dec, Away v OMA: 5-5 D
29th Dec, Away v BEL: 23-37 W                                  

Rainey ES (RES)
12th Sep, Home v REG: 24-29 L
19th Sep, Away v DAL 42-0 L
26th Sep, Home v FLC: 17-10 W
3rd Oct, Home v PDC: 25-0 W
10th Oct, Home v LAR: 25-7 W
23rd Oct, Home v LIM: 32-0 W
7th Nov, Home v RSD: 6-0 W
25th Nov, Home v OMA: 37-10 W
5th Dec, Away v RSA: 0-47 W
19th Dec, Away v SUL: 17-28 W
2nd Jan, Home v BANB: 17-7 W

RBAI (RBAI)
19th Sep, Away v BMA: 14-30 W
3rd Oct, Away v BCL: 3-29 W
10th Oct, Home v COL: 27-5 W
24th Oct, Away v MCB: 7-8 W
21st Nov, Home v CCB: 6-10 L
19th Dec, Home v WHS: 5-6 L
28th Dec, Away v BGS: 3-12 W
2nd Jan, Home v OMA: 17-3 W

Regent House (REG)
12th Sep, Away v RES: 24-29 W
19th Sep, Home v PRS: 24-0 W
23rd Sep, Away v COL: 23-27 W
10th Oct, Away v CCB: 38-0 L
17th Oct, Home v GRO: 19-8 W
7th Nov, Away v CMB: 24-55 W
14th Nov, Home v DAL: 19-22 L
21st Nov, Away v DHS: 13-7 L
28th Nov, Away v BRA: 43-5 L
5th Dec, Home v BEL: 67-12 W
16th Dec, Home v BGS: 28-29 L

RS Armagh (RSA)
5th Sep, Home v COL: 19-15 W
12th Sep, Home v BGS: 5-31 L
16th Sep, Home v BANB: 33-3 W
23rd Sep, Away v CCB: 7-0 L
26th Sep, Home v PRS: 5-26 L
30th Sep, Away v DHS: 41-0 L
17th Oct, Home v PDC: 8-16 L
24th Oct, Home v OMA: 5-17 L
7th Nov, Away v SUL: 28-5 L
14th Nov, Away v WHS: 24-0 L
21st Nov, Away v LUR: 13-12 L
5th Dec, Home v RES: 0-47 L
18th Dec, Home v BRA: 19-35 L
2nd Jan, Home v LIM: 47-0 W

RS Dungannon (RSD)
5th Sep, Away v LIM: 3-15 W
12th Sep, Away v FSL: 28-14 L
26th Sep, Home v GRO: 12-16 L
3rd Oct, Away v FLC: 14-19 W
10th Oct, Home v OMA: 7-10 L
17th Oct, Away v PRS: 16-3 L
24th Oct, Home v BRA: 10-7 W
7th Nov, Away v RES: 6-0 L
14th Nov, Home v LUR: 17-6 W
21st Nov, Home v FSL: 5-17 L
28th Nov, Home v COL: 7-34 L
5th Dec, Away v BANB: 12-22 W
2nd Jan, Home v PDC: 12-22 L

Strabane Academy (STR)
7th Oct, Away v OMA*: 15-14 L
14th Nov, Away v CMB: 13-0 L
16th Dec, Away v CAR: 10-3 L (cx)

Sullivan Upper (SUL)
12th Sep, Home v MCB*: 12-10 W
19th Sep, Home v BANB: 34-5 W
23rd Sep, Home v DHS: 27-13 W
3rd Oct, Away v BRA: 13-7 L
10th Oct, Away v DAL: 35-17 L
17th Oct, Away v WHS: 26-12 L
7th Nov, Home v RSA: 28-5 W
14th Nov, Away v BMA: 35-10 L
18th Nov, Home v LIM: 48-10 W
25th Nov, Away v CCB: 55-0 L
5th Dec, Home v WHS: 5-33 L
19th Dec, Home v RES: 17-28 L

Wallace HS (WHS)
12th Sep, Away v BMA: 10-3 L
26th Sep, Away v CCB: 15-15 D
3rd Oct, Away v LIM: 7-24 W
10th Oct, Home v BRA: 27-0 W
17th Oct, Home v SUL: 26-12 W
21st Oct, Home v BCL: 31-0 W
7th Nov, Away v PDC: 0-25 W
14th Nov, Home v RSA: 24-0 W
21st Nov, Away v OMA: 0-26 W
28th Nov, Away v MCB: 12-5 L
5th Dec, Away v SUL: 5-33 W
9th Dec, Away v BGS: 10-10 D
19th Dec, Away v RBAI: 5-6 W
2nd Jan, Home v BMA: 19-10 W

Wellington College (WEL)
3rd Oct, Away v LUR: 5-3 L
4th Nov, Away v FSL: 36-10 L
21st Nov, Home v BANB: 7-12 L
28th Nov, Away v PDC: 34-0 L
5th Dec, Home v CAR: 12-7 W
12th Dec, Home v LUR: 10-49 L

*Played against/as ‘SelectXV’
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[wc_tab title=”FAQ’S”]

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?

This system 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 recordcompetitive 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 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 though, 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 in to 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.

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