Saturday 1st December saw the start of the 2012/13 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign when Larne Grammar School and Cambridge House contested the Round 1 game at the Lower Cairncastle Road venue in Larne.
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Both teams have struggled for success in the course of the season but it was the home team that went through to the Round 2 draw with a convincing 31-7 win. The Cambridge House team started well with their forwards dominating the opening exchanges. The Cambridge House team took a 7-0 lead when Mark McIlroy went over for a try which was converted by Philip Smyth after just ten minutes of the game. Shortly after this, the Cambridge House team lost Philip Smyth to injury and this seemed to impact on his team’s performance. The Cambridge House did continue to dominate at times but the Larne Grammar School backrow was much quicker to the breakdown and denied the visitors the quality possession they required. Connor Connolly brought the Larne Grammar School team back into the game when he picked up from the base of a scrum to touch down for an unconverted try and reduce the arrears to 7-5. The scoreline remained at 7-5 in favour of the Cambridge House team until halftime.
The second half saw the Larne Grammar School team dominate proceedings. Connor Connolly put on a “Man of the Match” performance and his good work put his Larne Grammar School team into positions of strength. Kris Rea touched down for a try following a series of picks and drives. Calum McKay converted the try to give the Larne Grammar School team a 12-7 lead. The Cambridge House team lost a number of key players to injury and the Larne team took advantage. Alistair Burke and Connor Connolly scored one try each and, with Calum McKay adding one conversion, the Larne team took a 24-7 lead into the final few minutes. More good work from Connor Connolly paved the way for a second Alistair Burke try. Calum McKay added the conversion to see the Larne Grammar School team progress to the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 2 draw with their well-deserved 31-7 victory against a gallant Cambridge House team.
