With all the age grade Interprovincial series of games involving schoolboy players finished, most school teams were back to full strength for their games this week. There was a number of midweek games played in the lead up to a full list of fixtures on Saturday 1st October.
Banbridge Academy hosted a Portora Royal team keen to record their first win of the season.
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The Banbridge team had built up a 15-5 halftime lead with tries from Michael Wilson and Aaron Kennedy as well as a conversion and penalty from Marc Stevenson. Portora scored a second half try and penalty but the home sealed their deserved 22-13 victory with a Chrissy Watts try which was converted by Marc Stevenson.
The Royal School, Armagh entertained a very physical Cathedral School team from Cairns, Australia on Monday 26th.
In a very entertaining game, played with great commitment from both teams, the Royal School team lost by 26-24. The Armagh boys had impressive performances from Toby McAlpine, Thomas Johnston and Matthew Clarke. The same team travelled to play Royal School, Dungannon on Wednesday afternoon. Despite starting slowly due to their bruising encounter against their Australian visitors and finding themselves 3-0 down to a Jack Milligan penalty, the Royal School, Armagh team showed great character in fending off the challenge of a very spirited Royal School, Dungannon team. The Armagh team had a number of debutant players with Luke Reaney, Michael Rolston,
Chris McCreanor and Daniel Ewart all making the most of the opportunities that came their way. Daniel Ewart scored two tries the second of which came from a well-choreographed move that had the Royal School, Armagh coach, Kenny Hooks, dancing with delight on the touchline. The home team, with Andrew Clingan displaying outstanding form, scored the try of the game when Jack Milligan took full advantage of good work from Jamie McNeill, Mark Wright, Andrew Clingan and Willie Graham to kick pass the ball into the arms of Peter Cashel who touched down for a well-deserved try. The final score was 36-8 to the Armagh team but both teams contributed greatly to an entertaining game.
Portadown College entertained the Cathedral School team on Wednesday afternoon and could not stop the Australian team picking up their second win of their short tour in Ulster. The Australian team won another entertaining encounter by 37-17.
Ballymena Academy proved too strong for an inexperienced Dalriada side on Wednesday afternoon.
The fine weather conditions suited the home team who scored four tries in the first half through Chris Fowler (2), Stephen Shaw and Jordan Foster. Darren Geddis added one conversion which saw Ballymena take a 22 – 0 lead into the half time break. Ballymena’s domination continued in the second half with the forward pack establishing quick ball for the dangerous backline. Chris Fowler completed his hat-trick just after the break with a well taken try in the corner. Adam Kerr powered over for a try on his first appearance of the season and Michael Caithness scored a well-deserved try mid-way through the second half. An interception by Peter Storey saw the Ballymena centre break clear to score below the posts and Jordan Foster became the second Ballymena player to register a hat-trick with two late tries. Darren Geddis converted all six of the second half tries to leave the final score reading 64-0 to Ballymena Academy.
Three days after their win against Dalriada,
Ballymena Academy travelled north to lock horns with traditional rivals, Coleraine Inst. The away team started well with Matthew Rea and Paddy Millar making good ground with strong runs. Jordan Foster was unlucky not to be awarded a try in the opening minute, but made amends later in the first half with a well taken score. Ballymena continued to dominate through the physicality of their forwards. George Hargy and Sam McNabney carried effectively and the work rate of Matthew McMurray, Peter Knowles and Peter McKerr was evident as the half progressed. The Ballymena backs benefitted from this domination and centre, Peter Storey, completed a hat-trick of tries before the interval. Darren Geddis added two conversions to leave the half-time score reading 24 – 0. Early in the second half, Ballymena’s influential full-back, Peter Gillespie, suffered a knee injury which resulted in a stoppage of more than ten minutes. From then on, the second half was an evenly balanced encounter and the home team scored a deserved try when their pack powered over in the corner for an unconverted try from Joe Livingstone to reduce the arrears to 24-5. Ballymena Academy completed the scoring with the final try of the morning when Scott Bashford scored below the posts. Darren Geddis added the extras and the final whistle sounded with Ballymena winning 31 – 5.
Down High School entertained a Royal School, Armagh team playing their 3rd game of the week on Saturday 1st.
In a very close encounter the Armagh team was prone to some careless handling errors as well as moments of ill-discipline in the course of the game. The Down High team played well and scored a try through Thomas Donnan as well as two penalties from Justin Rea. In response, the Armagh team scored a try through Stuart Hooks which was converted by Alistair Wright. The same player converted two penalty opportunities to see his team through to a narrow 13-11 victory.
The Grosvenor Grammar School team was playing at full strength for the first time this season when they entertained Cambridge House.
Scott Irvine opened the scoring for the Grosvenor Grammar School team with a try coming from a cross field kick from Peter Davison. Peter added the conversion to give his team a 7-0 lead. Paul Kennedy added a second Grosvenor try when he took advantage of some good work from his fellow backs. Peter Davison was successful with the conversion to give his team a 14-0 lead. This was extended to 19-0 just before the interval when Steven Kirk touched down in the corner for an unconverted try. The Cambridge House team displayed a very positive attitude in the course of the game but could do little to prevent the home team from adding two second half tries. Steven Kirk touched down for his second try of the game and Ben Coard completed a fine personal performance in the centre when he ran in an intercept try from forty metres to see his team win the game by 29-0.
Royal School, Dungannon travelled to play Foyle and Londonderry College in a highly entertaining game at the Maiden City venue.
The Dungannon team was keen to put in a big performance following the disappointment of their midweek defeat by Royal School, Armagh. They opened the scoring with a Jack Milligan penalty to take a 3-0 lead. The Foyle team responded with a try from Louis Fields which was converted by Neil Burns to take a 7-3 lead. The Royal School team, with Andrew Clingan leading from the front, responded with a try from Andrew himself. Jack Milligan converted the try to take the score to 10-10. Five minutes later the Foyle and Londonderry College team regained the lead when Ryan Curry touched down for an unconverted try to see the score board read 15-10 at the interval. The Royal School, Dungannon team controlled the game in the opening exchanges of the second half. Peter Cashel scored a try while Jack Milligan added a conversion, as well as a penalty, to see his team into a 20-15 lead. However, the home team had the final say with Ryan Curry and Calvin Jones touching down for tries, one of which was converted by Neil Burns, to ensure a 27-20 victory for the Foyle and Londonderry College team.
The Methodist College team travelled to play Regent House in Newtownards expecting a very tough encounter against a team that had been recording some good victories in their recent outings.
In a very physical encounter, which was hampered by the severe overhead weather conditions, it was the Methodist College team that controlled the game for long periods of time. James Harrison scored an unconverted try after seventeen minutes to give his team a 5-0 lead. Ten minutes later this was extended to 12-0 when Mark Gribben broke away from the Regent defence inside his own half. He displayed good footwork and strength to touchdown for a try which Rudolph Benade converted. Just before the halftime whistle, Rory Winters touched down for an unconverted try to see his Methodist College team into a 19-0 interval lead. Regent attempted to get some quality possession at the start of the second half but a crucial turnover enabled Rory Winters to touch down for his second try of the game and extend the Methody lead to 24-0. Mark Gribben scored his second try of the game midway through the second half. Rudolph Benade added the extras to see the Methodist College safely through this game with a 31-0 victory.
Following their midweek defeat to a very well organised Cathedral School from Queensland, Australia, the Portadown College team was keen to get back to recent winning ways.
The College team travelled to Magherafelt to play against the Rainey Endowed team for their annual Vinny Doyle Cup game. Both teams started well and following a period of early pressure, Rainey converted a penalty opportunity through Martin Connolly to give his team 3-0 lead. The Portadown College team responded by settling in to the match and creating a series of phases of play which resulted in an excellent score which was finished by Michael Busby who was playing alongside his twin brother and Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ player, David. This try was not converted but the Portadown team had a 5-3 lead. Portadown College continued to exert pressure throughout the first half and this resulted in a further penalty opportunity which was taken and converted by scrum half, Ben Matchett, to give his team an 8-3 lead. Straight from the kick off, Rainey were awarded a penalty which was converted by Martin Connolly to reduce the arrears to 8-6. Against the run of play, Rainey attacked from a scrum down the blind side which took the College boys by surprise. Following a number of picks and goes, Michael Dawson scored a try for the Rainey team which was converted by Martin Connolly to give his team a 13-8 lead. On the stroke of half time the Portadown College team awarded another penalty which was converted by Ben Matchett to leave the score board reading 13-11 in favour of the Rainey team at halftime. Portadown College started the second half strongly by retaining the ball for long periods and starving the Rainey forwards of possession. However, on a number of occasions throughout the half, the determined Rainey defence managed to halt the College attack just short of the line. Their resolve was finally broken and, following an infringement ten minutes before the end of the game, the College team was awarded a penalty. Ben Matchett converted the penalty to ensure his team regained the lead with a 14 – 13 scoreline. This spurred the College team on and, instead of clearing their lines and putting the Rainey team on the back foot, the Portadown team decided to run the ball from their own line. A fine flowing move saw every player in the Portadown team touch the ball at least once before prop forward, Alex Forbes, scored a wonderful try in the corner. This try was converted by Ben Matchett to give his team a 21-13 lead. Rainey converted a late penalty through Martin Connolly to leave the final score reading 21-16 in favour of the Portadown College team thus ensuring that the College team retained the Vinny Doyle Cup. At a post-match reception the Portadown College captain, David Busby, was happy to receive the trophy from Mr and Mrs Doyle.
Belfast Royal Academy hosted Sullivan Upper in a very closely contested game at Roughfort.
The Belfast Royal Academy has struggled somewhat to get positive results in the early stages of this season. However, that all changed with a narrow but well- deserved 14-12 at the end of this entertaining game. Sullivan opened the scoring with a converted try midway through the first half to give them a 7-0 lead. The Belfast Royal academy team responded positively to this and drew level just prior to the interval when Daniel Dass ran in for a try. Jack Kane added the extras to see the scoreline read 7-7 at the interval. The home team controlled possession during the early stages of the second half and got their reward for some enterprising play when Andrew McClements touched down for a try. Jack Kane converted the try to put his team into a 14-7 lead. The Sullivan team played some enterprising rugby throughout the final quarter of the game and managed to touch down for an unconverted try to leave the final score reading 14-12 in favour of the Belfast Royal Academy team.
Due to injury problems it was a very inexperienced Friends’ School team that hosted Larne Grammar School on Saturday.
Both teams had struggled in recent weeks but both teams contributed greatly with an enterprising approach to an entertaining game. The Friends’ School took a 3-0 lead midway through the first half when Peter Ferguson converted a penalty opportunity. The Larne Grammar School team took a 5-3 lead two minutes later when Marc Robinson ran in for an unconverted try. From the restart a Larne infringement gave Peter Ferguson the opportunity to put more Friends’ points on the board with a penalty kick. He converted the opportunity and Friends’ now had a 6-5 lead. This was extended to 13-5 when Stephen Cooke took advantage of some slack Larne Grammar School defence to run in for a try. Ross Robinson added the conversion to see his team safely through to the halftime whistle. The start of the second half saw the Friends’ team further extend their lead when Jonny Harding scored a try which Peter Ferguson converted. The Lisburn team had now a surprising 20-5 lead but the Larne team was by no way capitulating. They ran in tries from Ryan McAllister and Nathan McCullough both of which were converted by Ryan McAllister to take the scoreline to 20-19. The scene was set for an exciting finish and so it proved to be. Daniel Bell scored an unconverted try to extend the home lead to 25-19 and with little time remaining the Larne team, urged on by Calum Patton and Connor Weir, scored a try through Aaron Carter. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and it was a delighted Friends’ team that celebrated at the final whistle with their narrow but deserved 25-24 victory against Larne Grammar School.
Ballyclare High School maintained their impressive start to the season with a 20-15 victory against Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
The Belfast Inst team started the game strongly when Matthew Keane broke up the blind side of a scrum to run in from 40 metres for a try. The try was converted and the Belfast Inst team had a 7-0 lead with only two minutes on the clock. The Ballyclare High School responded positively and reduced the arrears when their full back, James Beattie, took full advantage of good work from his inside backs to touch down in the corner. The conversion was missed but the scoreline now read 7-5. The Ballyclare team continued with their high risk style of play and got their reward when Andrew Butler scored an unconverted try in the corner to give his team a 10-7 lead. Just before the interval the Belfast Inst pack trundled over from a driven maul following a lineout to touch down for an unconverted try and give their team a 12-10 half time lead. Both teams had chances early in the second half but conditions caused the ball to be spilt on a number of occasions. Jonny Holmes gave his team a 13-12 lead when he converted a penalty opportunity and with just minutes remaining the Belfast side regained the lead at 15-13 when they converted a penalty opportunity. The Ballyclare team threw everything at the Belfast Inst defence which held firm until prop forward, Paddy Reid, got his hands on the ball. He successfully managed to barge his way over the Belfast Inst line with the last play of the game and touch down for a try. Jonny Holmes added the conversion to see his team through to their hard earned 20-15 victory.
Wallace High School travelled to play a very confident Limavady Grammar School team and, despite being short some seven regulars from their starting line-up as well as losing Nathan McClatchey to injury, found themselves leading by 20-8 at halftime.
Jordan Heatley and Jamie Baird scored tries while David Scott kicked two conversions as well as two penalties. The Limavady points came from an early Luke Faulkner penalty and a well worked Aaron Rainey try taking advantage of some good work from Andrew Miller. Limavady Grammar School showed more determination in the second half with their forwards dominating the set pieces. Jack Elliott took full advantage and scored a try for the home team which was converted by Luke Faulkner to reduce the deficit to 20-15. With Luke Faulkner kicking well for territory Wallace found themselves in their half for most of the remaining time. Good counter rucking from the Limavady pack and the quick delivery of ball to the backline from Jamie Millar, resulted in two tries from winger Aaron Rainey. Luke Faulkner converted both making the score 29-20 in favour of Limavady. Towards the end of the game Wallace once again upped the intensity and Limavady found themselves defending their line for a period of time until errors from the Wallace team allowed the Limavady side to relieve the pressure and make a last ditch effort to make their way to their opponents try line. The consistent pressure led to a penalty allowing Luke Faulkner to add an extra three points before the final whistle with the final score ending up 32-20 to Limavady Grammar School.
Omagh Academy recorded a well-deserved victory against a very spirited Carrickfergus Grammar School team.
The Omagh team started the game in a very determined fashion dominating both territory and possession. Andy Allen converted an early penalty opportunity to give the Omagh team a 3-0 lead. Greg Deazley took advantage of good work from his pack to nip in for a try after only eight minutes of play to give his team an 8-0 lead. Five minutes later the Omagh Academy debutant winger, Scott Barr fielded a high ball, beat two defenders and off-loaded to Neil McLean who ran in for an unconverted try. The Omagh team now had a 13-0 halftime lead and looking forward to the second half. Midway through the second half this scoreline was extended to 18-0 when Andy Allen scored an unconverted try when he beat the Carrickfergus defence in a foot rush to the line. The Carrickfergus Grammar School team scored a consolation try with just minutes remaining but it was the Omagh team that celebrated their 18-5 victory at the no-side whistle.
