There were four Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Quarter-Final games, three Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Quarter-Final games and two Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Semi-Final games played on Saturday 25th February.
Wallace High School entertained Bangor Grammar School in a Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Quarter-Final tie in Lisburn.
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It was a game the Wallace High School team controlled from start to finish with the Bangor Grammar School team only rarely showing glimpses of the good form that took them to the Quarter-Final stage of the Schools’ Cup. The Wallace team controlled all aspects of the game in the first half with the Wallace High School pack dominant at the set pieces as well as the breakdown. Matthew Ballentyne, Zack McCall and Cal McIlwaine all impressed with their strong ball carrying ability which caused problems for the Bangor Grammar School defence. Quality possession laid the foundation for three first half tries from Nathan McClatchey, who touched down twice, and Zack McCall. James McCallan chipped in with three successful conversions to see his Wallace High School team into a 21-0 halftime lead. The Bangor Grammar School team responded positively in the early stages of the second half but received little reward for their endeavours. The Wallace team sealed the game with further tries from Jordan Heatley and Jordan Grattan. Both tries were converted by James McCallan to ensure a 35-0 lead for the Wallace High School team. Late in the game the Bangor Grammar School team scored a consolation try through Jonny Gordan. The try was converted by Daniel Kennedy but the 35-7 victory went to the impressive Wallace High School team and, along with it, a place in the Quarter-Final draw for the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution played Ballyclare High School in an exciting Quarter-Final game played in front of an excellent crowd of enthusiastic supporters.
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The overhead and underfoot conditions allowed both teams to produce an exciting game of rugby which was an excellent advertisement for the schools’ game in the Province. The Belfast Inst team started strongly dominating territory and possession in the opening exchanges. The Belfast Inst pack, with Sam Alexander and Paddy Anderson acquiring a lot of possession at the breakdown, took play deep into Ballyclare High School territory and asked questions of the Ballyclare High School defence. The Ballyclare defence was well-organised and committed and rode out the initial Belfast Inst waves of attack. On a rare first half excursion into Belfast Inst territory, the visitors had the opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty after ten minutes play. However, the opportunity was missed and the score remained at 0-0. The Inst team continued to dominate the territory but could find no way through a dogged Ballyclare High School defence. Ballyclare lost their scrum half to injury and the reshuffle of their back division seemed to give them more confidence with the ball in hand. Towards the end of the first half they had penalty opportunities which they put into the corners hoping for quality possession of the ensuing lineouts. This possession never really materialised due to good Belfast Inst defence in the lineout as well as a number of handling errors from the Ballyclare High School backs. The first period of play finished with no scores on the scoreboard. The second half started with the Ballyclare High School team on the attack. Andrew Butler looked as if he was cleanly through the Belfast Inst defence and on his way to the try line when a magnificent cover defence tackle from the Belfast Inst scrum half, Matthew Keane, brought the attack to an end. The home team was awarded a penalty following the tackle which took play into the Ballyclare High School half. Ten minutes into the second half, the home team converted a penalty opportunity through their outhalf, Gareth Lawlor, to take a 3-0 lead. Both teams went on the attack with the Ballyclare High School team now needing to score. Twenty five minutes into the second half they did just that when the hard working Paddy Reid took advantage of good work from his fellow forwards to stretch and touch down under the Belfast Inst posts for a try. Jonny Holmes added the conversion to put his team into a 7-3 lead. The home team now needed a try to win the game and launched wave after wave of attacks on the Ballyclare High School line. Despite the best intentions of the Belfast Inst attack, the Ballyclare High School defence was well marshalled by Grant Bartley, Jonny Darling and Jordan McKinstry. They had the opportunity of a place in the Semi-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and they were not going to waste that opportunity. The Inst team might feel unlucky not to have scored on at least two occasions but they didn’t. This ensured that it was the Ballyclare High School team that won this close encounter by 7-3 and, with that victory, a place in the draw for the Semi-Final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Methodist College hosted the surprise package of this season’s Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competition, the team from Banbridge Academy, at the Pirrie Park venue.
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Despite the best intentions of the visitors, who put on a very committed as well as determined performance, it was the Methody team that dominated proceedings for long periods of time. The Banbridge Academy team started well but they suffered an early setback when Methody, stretched the visitor’s defence to enable winger Elliot Mooney to touch down close to the Banbridge Academy posts. Rudolph Benade added the conversion to give his Methody team a 7-0 lead.This early score failed to quell the Banbridge fire however and after a period of pressure they reduced the Methody lead to 7-3 when scrum half, Aaron Kennedy, converted a penalty opportunity. Methody hit back strongly and extended their lead to 12-3 in the thirteenth minute when prop, James Harrison, broke through the Banbridge defence and offloaded for scrum half, David McElhinney, to touch down for an unconverted try. Seven minutes later Mark Gribben broke through the Banbridge Academy defence and off-loaded to his full back Paddy Colhoun who ran in for a try under the Banbridge Academy posts. Rudolph Benade added the extras to see his team into a 19-3 lead. Despite the score line Banbridge continued to show great commitment and, even though they were having to live off limited possession, managed to restrict Methody to a penalty goal converted by Rudolph Benade in the twenty eighth to leave the scoreline reading 22-3 at the interval. The teams turned around at half time which meant the home team had the wind behind them in the second half. During the second half the home side lifted the tempo and played some very impressive rugby moving the ball and stretching the brave Banbridge defence which, despite being encouraged by the vocal visiting support, found the home side increasingly hard to handle. In the forty third minute Rudolph Benade touched down under the posts and converted his own try to make the shoreline 29-3 in Methody’s favour. Five minutes later the Methody centre, Mark Gribben, broke through a number of tackles to touch down for a try and increase the Methody lead to 34-3. Rudolph Benade converted this try to take the score to 36-3 in favour of the Methodist College team. Both sides then introduced a number of replacement players and Methody’s Adam Liddell, on for Patrick Colhoun, wove his way through the visitor’s defence to take the score to 41-3 which increased to 43-3 when Rudolph Benade added the conversion. In the final few minutes Methody continued to press and scored their final points when James Harrison forced his way past a number of weary defenders to touch down for an unconverted to leave the final score reading 48-3 in favour of the Methodist College team. The Banbridge side have to take great credit from a game in which they never stopped competing and those of them returning to school next year can look forward with optimism. Chrissy Watt, David McKeown, Blair McDonald and Colin McGregor all impressed for the Banbridge Academy team but it is the Methody team which takes its place in the draw for the Semi-Final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup following this comprehensive victory against the gallant Banbridge Academy team.
Ballymena Academy hosted the current holders of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Campbell College, in a game played in ideal conditions at the Galgorm Road venue.
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The Ballymena Academy team dominated territory and possession in the opening exchanges with strong play from the home pack and clever use of the ball by the backs asking questions of the Campbell College defence. However, the well organised Campbell College defence was giving nothing away and the visitors started to come into the game making good use of quality possession acquired from their pack at lineout time. Five minutes before the interval the Campbell College attack was turned over and Nicholas Sterling took play deep into the Campbell College half. The Ballymena Academy pack was on hand to produce quality ruck ball possession which allowed Darren Geddis to produce a moment of magic and touch down for a try under the Campbell College posts. Darren added the conversion to give his team a 7-0 halftime lead. The start of the second half saw the Campbell College team dominate territory and possession. They built up a series of phase plays when they didn’t force their passing game. They were rewarded for their endeavours when Harry Howard crossed the Ballymena Academy line to touch down for an unconverted try and reduce the arrears to 7-5. Campbell College continued to dominate the game until a speculative wide pass was intercepted by the Ballymena Academy team. This enabled the home side to gain ground with effective use of their close driving game and they eventually scored an unconverted try through Matthew Rea to give the Ballymena Academy team a 12-5 lead. The Campbell College team responded immediately with their forwards and backs working together to vary their play. Following the acquisition of quick ruck ball on the on the right hand side of the pitch the Campbell College backs displayed deft handling skills to send Ben Sloan in for a try on the left hand side. Rob Haldane hit a superb touchline conversion to draw the teams level at 12-12. Just as the game seemed to be heading for a replay, it was Rob Haldane that displayed a touch of magic with a drop goal three minutes from time to see his Campbell College team into the draw for the Semi-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup with their hard earned 15-12 victory in this intriguing game.
Following the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Quarter-Final games the draw took place for the Semi-Finals.
Mr Liam Smyth, representing the Northern Bank, and Ms Janet Williamson, Principal of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, conducted the draw and the results are as follows:-
Monday 5th March at Ravenhill with a 2-30pm kick off:-
Wallace High School v Ballyclare High School
Wednesday 7th March at Ravenhill with a 2-30pm kick off:-
Methodist College, Belfast v Campbell College, Belfast.
There was one Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Quarter-Final game played midweek when Dalriada hosted Royal School, Armagh in Ballymoney.
The game turned out to be a close fought encounter with the Dalriada team coming close to causing a major upset. Alistair Wright gave his Royal School, Armagh team a 3-0 lead with a well struck penalty early in the game. The Dalriada team responded in a positive fashion and Jonny Laughlin kicked a penalty to draw the score level at 3-3. The Dalriada team, with Mattie Glenn and Rhys McAuley in imperious form, dominated proceedings for the remainder of the first half but could not add to their score. The tie could have gone either way with the home team enjoying possession at times and the RS Armagh team wasting potential scoring opportunities. Eventually, Daniel Reaney, took advantage of good work from Jonathan Morton, playing only his second game in the RS Armagh backrow, to run in for an unconverted try and take the score to 8-3 in favour of his RS Armagh team. Dalriada fought back but two Alistair Wright penalties ensured the RS Armagh team finished with a 14-3 win and a place in the draw for the Semi-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Competition.
There were three Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield games played on Saturday 25th February.
Cambridge House played Limavady Grammar School at the Cambridge Avenue venue and made the Limavady team work hard for their win. Limavady Grammar got off to a good start and pinned their opponents into their own 22m area early in the game. However, the visiting side was unable to capitalise on this early pressure with the Cambridge House defence remaining intact. Following the good initial start, the Limavady Grammar School side appeared lethargic until Robert Lamberton made a break to put his winger, Aaron Rainey, in for an unconverted try to give the Limavady Grammar School team a 5-0 lead. With the visiting side opening the scoring, Cambridge house replied with three Timmy Small penalties following ill-discipline from the visitors at the breakdown. These penalties took the score to 9-5 in favour of the Cambridge House. However Cambridge House could not hold on to the lead for long. Aaron Rainey crossed the line for his second try of the match and Luke Faulkner added the extras making the score at the half-time whistle 12-9 in favour of the Limavady Grammar School team. The second half witnessed a more determined Limavady Grammar School side with the forwards driving maul proving particularly effective at times. Sam Mackey was very influential at the breakdown turning over Cambridge House ball on a number of occasions. However, despite this consistent pressure the Limavady Grammar School could not break through their opponents defence. However, it was the home side that was penalised for ill-discipline at the breakdown. Michael Barr made no mistake in adding three points taking the score to 15-9 in favour of his Limavady Grammar School team. Shortly after the restart, Michael Barr was given another opportunity to extend their lead and he made no mistake with his kick to take the score to 18-9 in favour of the Limavady Grammar School team. Following this penalty a period of inconsistency from both sides was evident until a great break from Richard Boyd pushed Cambridge House back to their own 22m area. Luke Faulkner was successful with a penalty to increase the Limavady Grammar School lead to 21-9. The visitors then took advantage of good field position and Stuart Hull was able to put Robert Lamberton in for a converted try following a clever offload. This ensured the score at the final whistle was 28-9 in favour of the Limavady Grammar School team which was just reward for players such as Rory Squires, Robert Lamberton and Sam Mackey, all of whom put in solid performances for their Limavady Grammar School team.
The Royal School, Dungannon team was missing a number of key players when they travelled to Magherafelt to play Rainey Endowed School in their Quarter-Final game of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield.
However, the players that stepped in did their school proud in the course of this game. Two RS Dungannon tries either side of half time decided the outcome of this Northern Bank Subsidiary Shield Quarter Final. David Davidson had given his RS Dungannon team a 3-0 lead with a well struck penalty following good work from Jack Milligan, Michael Montgomery and Stephen Rogers. The first try came on the stroke of half time when an RS Dungannon clearance kick was not gathered by the Rainey Endowed team near the half way line, Andrew Clingan was following up to regain possession and raced into the Rainey half where he found William Graham in support to take play deep into the Rainey Endowed 22m area. A clever pass from William found the RS Dungannon open side flanker, Mark Wright, who was able to touch down for a try under the posts to increase the RS Dungannon lead to 8-0. David Davidson converted this try to give his team a 10-0 lead at the interval. The second try came four minutes into the second half when, following a lineout, Andrew Clingan carried the ball into midfield and the momentum was maintained by a short dart by scrum half, Jonathan Wright. The ball was moved left with good handling by Stephen Rogers and Andrew Mills creating the space for the RS Dungannon winger, Peter Cashel, to score an unconverted try in the left hand corner to leave the score 15 – 0 in favour of the visitors. The Rainey Endowed team had only a second half Martin Connolly penalty to show for their endeavours. Despite good efforts from Thomas Booth and Michael Dawson, the RS Dungannon defence held firm which ensured they had a place in the draw for the Semi-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield with their well-deserved 15-3 victory in this game.
Coleraine Academical Institution and Grosvenor Grammar School played out a close fought Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Quarter-Final game at the Castlerock Road venue.
This was a re-run of the 4th Round Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game last season which the Coloeraine AI team won with the last play of the game. Grosvenor Grammar School started with the wind at their backs and immediately camped in the hosts half. The visitors pack kept it tight and made yards and forced Coleraine AI into giving away a penalty in front of the posts. The kick was missed and the Coleraine AI team was able to breathe a sigh of relieve. From the resultant 22m drop out, the visitors again worked well in the tight and further infringements gave them a line out on the Coleraine AI 22m line. A fine take from Sam Purdon set a up a driving maul and the strong Grosvenor pack marched towards the line allowing hooker and captain Stuart Smyth to crash over in the corner for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Grosvenor Grammar School team had a 5-0 lead. At this point it looked like the game would be dominated by the visitor’s pack. However, their indiscipline and high penalty count against meant the home team saw plenty of possession. Coleraine AI missed a penalty just inside the Grosvenor 22m line and from this the visitors counter attacked down the touch line to give them possession, in the closing stages of the half, on the Coleraine AI line. The Grosvenor Grammar School team turned down a kickable penalty opportunity and, from a scrum, the ball was sent into touch to signal the end of the first half. Had the Grosvenor team done enough with just a 5-0 interval lead and the wind against them in the second half? The second half saw the home side dominate the early stages and they nearly scored in the corner but for a fine cover tackle by the Grosvenor full back, Chris Elliott. The home back division, with Peter Kidd and Conor Shields calling the shots, started to look dangerous but the Grosvenor Grammar School defence was well-organised. The Grosvenor Grammar School backs had chances as well but crucial handling errors at key moments thwarted them and the home side used the elements effectively to punish each Grosvenor mistake. As the second half progressed further Grosvenor indiscipline gave away a number of penalties to the Coleraine AI team. Mikey Poskitt punished these mistakes three times in quick succession to see his Coleraine AI team into a 9-5 lead with just five minutes of the game remaining. However, the visitors displayed the same indomitable spirit that saw them through their recent Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game with Sullivan Upper when they found themselves encamped on the Coleraine AI line in injury time. Keeping their composure, the Grosvenor pack went through phase after phase until their captain, Stuart Smyth, muscled his way over the Coleraine AI line to touch down for his second try of the game. The conversion was missed but it mattered little as the referee blew the no-side whistle and the Grosvenor Grammar School team celebrated their 9-5 win and a place in the draw for the Semi-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield.
Following the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Quarter-Final games the draw took place for the Semi-Finals. Mr Liam Smyth, representing the Northern Bank, and Mr David Knox, Principal of Ballyclare High School, conducted the draw and the results are as follows:-
1/ Royal School, Armagh v Royal School, Dungannon.
2/ Limavady Grammar School v Grosvenor Grammar School
These games are scheduled to take place on Saturday 10th March.
There were two Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Semi-Final games played on Saturday 25th February.
Belfast Royal Academy hosted a Down High School team that has caused quite a few upsets in the course of the season. Their recent 32-7 victory against Portadown College showed just what a talented group of players the Down High School coaches have at their disposal. Could they cause another upset at Roughfort against the Belfast Royal Academy team? The Down High School team started strongly and took a 6-0 lead, early in the game, through two Justin Rea penalties. However, the Belfast Royal Academy team recovered from this early setback. The BRA pack started to win some quality possession which their backs used effectively to create two opportunities for Jordan Carlisle to run in for two tries. Jordan converted both tries to give his team a 14-6 halftime lead. Shortly after the restart, Andrew McClements ran in for another Belfast Royal Academy try. Jordan Carlisle added the extras to put his team into a 21-6 lead. This seemed to be too high a hurdle for the Down High School team to overcome. They provided little in the way of creating any scoring opportunities until the last play of the game when Luc Bonnargent scampered over for a try. Justin Rea added the conversion to leave the final score reading 21-13 in favour of the Belfast Royal Academy team and a place in the final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl competition.
The victorious Belfast Royal Academy team will have to wait to find out who they will play in the final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl as Regent House and Sullivan Upper played out an 8-8 draw in the second semi-final. This game will be replayed at Sullivan Upper on Wednesday 29th February.
The Final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy competition will take place at Stevenson Park, home of Dungannon Rugby Club, on Wednesday 29th February. The game, featuring Larne Grammar School and Omagh Academy, is scheduled to kick off at 2-00pm.
