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Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 9th March 2019
There was one Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 1/4 Final game played on Monday 4th March when Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv played Belfast Royal Academy 3rdxv. The Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv recorded a comprehensive 56-5 victory and will now play Wallace High School 3rdxv in the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate.
On Tuesday 5th March the first of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup semi-final games took place when Campbell College, Belfast played Royal School, Armagh at the Kingspan Stadium. The game turned out to be a closely contested encounter which the Campbell College, Belfast team won by 12-10.
In what was a repeat of last year’s decider it took a moment of individual flair from Conor Rankin to edge Campbell through to this year’s decider. After a feeling out process in the opening eleven minutes, it was Campbell who broke the deadlock and took a 5-0 lead when prop, Patrick McAlpine, powered over to score an unconverted try from close range, following some enterprising work by his team mates on the left hand side of the pitch. Armagh responded in quick-fire fashion just four minutes later when their forward pack took them up to within a couple of metres of the Campbell line, before their impressive prop, Adam Edgar, picked and drove over to touch down for an unconverted try to bring the score board to 5-5. Armagh enjoyed a dominant spell in the second quarter of the game, but found themselves unable to add any further points before the interval.
The second half started with both defences being tested but coming out on top. However, eventually it was the Armagh men who scored next when, on forty eight minutes, a powerful lineout maul forced its way over from five metres out and Ryan Finlay touched down for an unconverted try to give his side a 10-5 lead. Campbell remained in the contest and fullback, Conor Rankin, produced a moment of magic when, after sixty three minutes, he darted through the Armagh defence for a well taken try. After dusting himself off Conor coolly slotted the all-important conversion to make it 12-10 in favour of the Campbell College, Belfast team. Back came the Royal School, Armagh team and they took play deep into Campbell College territory. In the final few minutes of the there were opportunities for the Armagh team to snatch the victory but they were all to no avail. The final whistle sounded and it was the Campbell College, Belfast team that celebrated their hard earned 12-10 victory at the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup semi-final.
Campbell College, Belfast: (15-9): C Rankin, D Williamson, R Tinsley (Capt), H Owens, F Parks, O Ralston, D Gaskin;
(1-8): J Gildea, J Boal, P McAlpine, C McCauley, J Stinson, J Johnston, B Rainey, T Olaniyan.
Replacements: J Massey, L Collins, M Poor, K Gill, J Brennan, H Bell, K Robertson, H Minford.
The Royal School Armagh:
(15-9): M Campbell, B Boyd, N Jennings, C Worth, B Lavery, R Morrow, A Johnston;
(1-8): A Edgar, S Rainey, J Roberts, J Denley, R Finlay, A Woods (Capt), J Agnew, P Taylor.
Replacements: J Brown, D Poyntz, N Carville, J Agnew, J McCall, J Allen, E McAtarsney, C Whiteside.
On Wednesday 6th March the second of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup semi-finals took place when Methodist College, Belfast played Wallace High School at the Kingspan Stadium in a game the Methodist College, Belfast team won by 19-3.
Methodist College flanker, Adam Reid, scored a try in either half before fullback, Ethan McIlroy, polished off the win with his side’s third try three minutes from full-time. Ethan contributed also four points from the tee. Wallace’s three points came courtesy of a Nathan Doak penalty in the early stages of the second half. Methody enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening half, but it took until the final play of the first half to break down a resolute Wallace defence. Winger, Chris Larmour, carried up to a few metres short of the line and then, a few phases later, Adam Reid powered over the Wallace High School to touch down for an unconverted try which gave the Methodist College team a 5-0 lead at the break.
Fifteen minutes after the restart Nathan Doak reduced the lead to just two points when he confidently fired over his goal kick after Methody were penalised at the breakdown. On the hour mark Adam Reid pounced for his second try from close range after No 8, Kevin McNaboe, peeled off an attacking scrum before spotting a gap that took him within inches of the try line. The ball was effectively recycled and Adam Reid powered his way over the line for the try. Ethan McIlroy added the conversion to push the Methodist College lead out to 12-3. Ethan McIlroy then finished off the game on sixty seven minutes when he finished off a well worked backline move, following a great break in midfield from John Fletcher, after a Methody scrum in their 22m area. Ethan slotted the conversion to secure the 19-3 victory for the Methodist College, Belfast team.
Methodist College: (15-9): E McIlroy; T O’ Doherty, R Armstrong, J Fletcher, C Larmour; T Armstrong, C Davidson;
(1-8): B Crangle, D Humphreys, T Linton; M Lyttle, B Gourley; D Boden, A Reid, K McNaboe (Capt).
Replacements: J Watson, P Johnston, M Hunter, T Millar, A Simms, L Simms, L Graham, L Millar.
Wallace High School:
(15-9): J McNeight; L Allison, B Carson, J Dundas, N Robinson; J Dillon, N Doak;
(1-8): J Bailie, D Sedge, H Long; P McRoberts, D Kilpatrick; K Patton, H McMeekin, R Crothers (Capt).
Replacements: D McCavery, J Crane, S Wilson, M Thompson, C Irvine, L Rushe, B Watson, L Nelmes.
On the same afternoon Friends’ School, Lisburn played Coleraine Grammar School in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl competition at Rainey RFC in Magherafelt. The Coleraine Grammar School team won the game by 26-16 but had to work hard before eventually securing their victory in the final quarter of the game. The Friends’ School team started the game strongly and took a 7-0 lead when Stuart Patterson touched down for a try which was converted by Reece Malone. Reece increased the Friends’ School lead to 10-0 when he converted a penalty opportunity a short time later. The Coleraine Grammar School team finished the first half strongly when a counter attack play was finished off by Pierce Crowe, who was successful also with the conversion, to leave the scoreboard reading 10-7 in favour of the Friends’ School, Lisburn team at the interval.
Oscar Egan then scored a try for the Coleraine Grammar School team in the early stages of the second half. Pierce Crowe added the extras to put his team into a 14-10 lead. Back came the Friends’ School team and a Reece Malone penalty reduced their arrears to 14-13. In the final quarter of the game two further Coleraine tries, through Pierce Crowe and Marcus Poskitt, one of which was converted by Pierce Crowe, put the Coleraine Grammar School team into an unassailable 26-13 lead. A consolation Reece Malone penalty saw the game finish with the Coleraine Grammar School recording a 26-16 victory at the end of this entertaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Final.
Following the game, Dr Paul Flanigan, representing the Ulster Branch, IRFU, congratulated both teams on reaching the final, congratulated Coleraine Grammar School on their victory, thanked the referee, Shane Toolan, and his assistants, Ted Edwards and Jerome McAllister, for handling the game so well. Dr Flanigan thanked the Rainey Rugby Club, through their President, Arnie McLean who was in attendance at the game, for the use of facilities and hosting the game, and thanked the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby competitions. Terry O’ Doherty, representing the Danske Bank, and Dr Flanigan then presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl medals to both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl to Oscar Egan, the captain of the victorious Coleraine Grammar School team.
On Thursday 7th March Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4th xv played Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv in the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup. The Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv won the game by 16-3.
Meanwhile, the second Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup semi-final, involving the Methodist College, Belfast 4thxv v Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv, was postponed until Monday 11th March.
On Saturday 9th March Sullivan Upper School played Royal School, Dungannon in the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield. The Sullivan Upper School team won the match by 33-13.
The Sullivan Upper points came through tries from Jack McFerran, Alex Dowling, two from Shay Storey and a penalty try. Conor McKee was successful with three conversions.
The Royal School, Dungannon points came from a penalty from Luke McMullan and one try each from Jack Girvan and Luke McIlravie.
Bangor Grammar School hosted Dalriada School in the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield and won the game by 36-17.
The Bangor Grammar School team ran in five tries from Angus Christie, Aaron Sexton, Ben McCrossan, Robbie Grant and Rhys Larmour. Rhys was successful with four conversion kicks as well as one penalty kick.
The Dalriada School team scored tries through James McCormick and Luke Pollock with Paddy Carson adding two conversions as well as a penalty.
The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield will be played at the Queen’s University Arena on Wednesday 20th March at 2-30pm.
Methodist College, Belfast played Campbell College, Belfast in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup at Osborne Park. This game finished as a 10-10 draw.
Following the game, Terence McCracken, representing the Ulster Branch, IRFU, congratulated both teams on reaching the final and thanked the referee, Gareth Dunlop, and his assistants, David Wilson and Jarvis Traynor, for handling the game so well. Terence thanked the Principal, Governors and staff of Royal Belfast Academical Institution, especially Jason Morgan as well as the Royal Belfast Academical Institution ground staff, for the use of facilities and hosting the game, and thanked the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship of all the Ulster Schools’ Rugby competitions. Terence McCracken then presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup final medals to both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup to the captains of both teams who will now share the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup.
In the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2nd xv Plate Coleraine Grammar School played Portadown College at the Belfast Royal Academy playing fields at Roughfort. Following an exciting game it was the Coleraine Grammar School team that emerged as 34-20 winners.
Following the game, Barney McGonigle, representing the Ulster Branch, IRFU, congratulated both teams on reaching the final, congratulated Coleraine Grammar School on their victory, and thanked the referee, Vincent Hughes, and his assistants, Graham Gibson and Stephen Monaghan, for handling the game so well. Barney McGonigle thanked the Principal, Governors and staff, especially Chris McCarey, of Belfast Royal Academy for the use of facilities and hosting the game. The Belfast Royal Academy groundsman, Anton Gawe, got a special mention for getting the pitch into such immaculate condition for the game as it had been covered in snow earlier that morning. Barney thanked also the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship of all the Ulster Schools’ Rugby competitions. He then presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate final medals to both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate to the captain of the victorious Coleraine Grammar School team.
There were two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate semi-finals played on Saturday 9th March.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School 3rdxv hosted the Rainey Endowed School 3rdxv in a game the Rainey Endowed School 3rdxv team won by 5-0.
Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv played Wallace High School 3rdxv in a game the Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv won by 74-21.
The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate will be played on Wednesday 13th March at the Royal School, Dungannon at 2-30pm.
