Due to bad weather 2 games were called off last Saturday and are being replayed today – Belfast High School v Omagh Academy 2pm & Rainey Endowed School v Belfast Royal Academy 2.30pm Wed 29th of Jan
It is a tribute to the success of rugby in Belfast High School, and the hard work of the staff and players in recent seasons, when it can be noted that seventeen players in the Belfast High School squad have played in previous Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup matches.
Coaches Michael Rainey, David Scott, Richard Bleakley and James Rice will take nothing for granted as they prepare the squad for their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game against an Omagh Academy team still on a high after their excellent 1st Round victory against the Royal School, Dungannon team. The Belfast High School team has players such as Conor McDermott, captain Lewis Benson, Robbie Reid, Joel McBride, son of former Malone, Ulster and Ireland flanker, Denis, and Jordan Garford, all of whom have gained Ulster Schools’/U19 representative honours in recent seasons. With such an array of talent available it is clear to see why many people will see the Belfast High School team as clear favourites to win this game. However, this talented group of players should not take the opposition lightly if they wish to progress to the next round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
The Omagh Academy team will be only too willing to act as “spoil sports” when the teams meet in this eagerly anticipated Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 2 game. The foundation for their success in the previous round was laid by the Omagh Academy pack in both their set piece play and at the breakdown. Their team captain, James Catterson, was a colossus throughout that game with his performance in the Omagh Academy 2nd Row. He got great support from fellow forwards such as Stuart Allen, James Mitchell and Mark Clyde. The Omagh Academy back line features players such as Adam Beattie and Stuart Ballentine, two very astute half backs. Stuart is also a first class place kicker who has rarely missed kicks for his team throughout the season. Lloyd Kane and Adam Stephenson get through a lot of work, in both attack and defence, in the Omagh Academy midfield. The Omagh Academy coaches, Ross Hunter and Jackie Reid, were rightly proud of the performance of their team in the previous round. Their players will be going all out to make them even more proud after their game against Belfast High School.
This game is scheduled to kick off at 2pm.
Over the years Rainey Endowed School rugby teams have always looked, with relish, at getting a home draw in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competitions.
This year’s team will be no different and will see their home game against the Belfast Royal Academy team in the 2nd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup as another opportunity for a real giant killing act. The Rainey Endowed School team, coached by their illustrious Past Pupil and current member of staff, Chris Campbell, has struck some good form in the build up to the Schools’ Cup game. They have lost just four of their games this season and go into this game with experienced players such as Head Boy and Hooker, Samuel Hawe, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2nd Row, Conal Murphy, lock, Mark Kavanagh and Vice-Captain, David McClelland all participating in their third Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign. As ever, with any Rainey Endowed School rugby team, there is a diverse range of sporting talent available. Stephen McAuley is an Antrim Gaelic Minor Footballer, Eunan Shaw, an Ulster U19 squad member, is also a Lavey GAC Hurler, Captain, Kieran Lynch, as well as being a very fine place kicker, is a Derry Minor Gaelic Footballer while Mark Rooney is a Cookstown Hockey Club Senior League player as well as being a Tyrone Minor Gaelic Footballer. The Nicholl brothers, Andrew and Rory, form a formidable partnership in the Rainey backline, a backline whose activities are orchestrated by Scott Campbell, son of the Rainey coach, Chris. Chris and his assistants, Peter Boyle and Clive Lindsay, will be hoping the Rainey Endowed team gets sufficient ball against the Belfast Royal Academy team so that their multi- talented group of players gets the opportunity to show the large crowd of expectant supporters, certain to be in attendance, exactly what they are capable of achieving.
The Belfast Royal Academy team, coached by Chris McCarey and David Creighton, has experienced difficulties in consistency in the course of the season so far. They have achieved some excellent results while other results have been disappointing. However, five of their squad members bring Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup experience to the team. Stewart Martin, who is team captain, Chris Torrens, Ross Bryans, David Campbell and Jordan Hylton all played last season with Stuart, David and Jordan all going on to gain Age Grade representative honours with Ulster U19’s and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ teams. In Gareth McAdams, the Belfast Royal Academy team has a very impressive young back row forward whose progress will be closely monitored by the Ulster Age Grade Management teams. Michael Wilson is an excellent place kicker who will make the most of any opportunities presented to him. If the Belfast Royal Academy team can replicate the good form of some of their games this season, and handle the pressure which a Schools’ Cup game at the Rainey School brings, there might be a surprise result on the cards at the end of this game.
This game is scheduled to kick off at 2.30pm.
