There was one Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 3 game played on Wednesday 26th January with the remaining six fixtures played on Saturday 29th January.
RAINEY ENDOWED V SULLIVAN UPPER
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Sullivan Upper travelled midweek to Magherafelt to play Rainey Endowed School, a school with a fine tradition of success in the Ulster Schools’ Cup. Rainey coach, Chris Campbell, experienced success as a player in the Schools’ Cup but is going to have to wait for at least another year to experience success as a coach. The Rainey team was delighted to be playing at home against a team that has displayed inconsistencies in their performances this season but in a typical cup match, it was the Sullivan team that emerged victorious. The Sullivan team found themselves under pressure from the Rainey team in the opening exchanges. The Rainey pack was supplying a good deal of quality ball from the set pieces and the Rainey back row was in control at the breakdown. James Kelso and Luke Steele went close to scoring early in the game while Jamie Burrows, Damien McMurray and Matthew Stewart were constantly threatening the Sullivan Upper line. The early superiority of the Rainey team was rewarded when, 20 minutes into the game, Chris Lynch charged down a Harry Eves box kick. Chris won the scramble for the ball and touched down for the opening score of the game. Martin Connolly added the conversion to see his Rainey Endowed team into a 7-0 lead. From the restart, the Rainey team was awarded a penalty but the opportunity to extend their lead was missed. Michael Dawson and Jonathan Lees came close to scoring on a number of occasions towards the end of the first half but again, the Sullivan defence was well organised ensuring the score remained at 7-0 in favour of the Rainey Endowed team at half time. A few well-chosen words from the Sullivan coaching staff at the interval seemed to spark some life into the Sullivan team who started the second half strongly. The Sullivan pack, with Oliver and Ryan Loughead to the fore, competed on an equal basis with the Rainey pack. Harry Eves was now in a position to use the quality ball supplied by his pack to gain territorial advantage for his team. It was the turn of the Rainey defence to work hard and the Magherafelt boys responded well in the opening exchanges of the second half. However, midway through the second half, good handling from the Sullivan Upper backs created an overlap opportunity for Rory Foye to exploit. Rory took full advantage of the space created for him and touched down for a try in the corner. Ross Adair was accurate with his conversion attempt to bring his Sullivan team back into the game with the score now reading 7-7. The game now opened up with both teams spurning opportunities for further tries. The Rainey team was denied a try by sound Sullivan defence while Oliver Loughead dropped the ball with the Rainey line at his mercy. With just minutes remaining Ross Adair took full advantage of a Rainey Endowed player straying into an off-side position at a ruck. Ross converted the ensuing penalty to give his team a 10-7 lead. The Rainey team reacted positively and took the game deep into Sullivan territory. The Sullivan defence was disciplined and held out until the final whistle which ensured their progress into the draw for the 4th Round draw of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup with their hard earned 10-7 victory. It was a delighted and relieved Sullivan Upper team that celebrated at the end of the game while the Rainey team reflected on a “what might have been” scenario.
LARNE GRAMMAR V BELFAST HIGH SCHOOL
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Larne Grammar had travelled to Portora Royal School and won against the Enniskillen team in their recent second round encounter. They were delighted to have a home draw against Belfast High School, a team they had drawn with earlier in the season. The High School team had won on the road against Carrickfergus Grammar School in their round 2 game so the scene was set for a fascinating encounter. Both teams started well with the respective packs working hard to maintain possession. Neither backline managed to dominate with the possession they had with the respective defences coming out on top. That was until midway through the first period of play! The Belfast High School pack was enjoying a greater percentage of possession which allowed their backs the opportunity to express themselves with the ball in hand. Good work from Ryan Elliott and Adam White created an opportunity for the Belfast High School full back, Matt Huntley, to take on the Larne Grammar School defence. Despite good work from Aaron McBride and Philip Andrews in the Larne Grammar School defence, Matt Huntley found a gap that he was able to exploit. His pace and power ensured he reached the Larne line to touch down for the opening try of the game. Robbie Fryers was successful with his conversion which gave the Belfast High School team a 7-0 lead, much to the delight of their large band of supporters. The Larne team recovered well from this setback and took the game deep into Belfast High School territory. Billy Brown, Ross Williamson and Michael Eastop worked tirelessly in the Larne Grammar School pack but were unable to make any impression against a well organised defence. Ryan McGonigle, Ethan Clarke and Henry Atkinson, the Belfast High School back row trio, turned over a lot of Larne Grammar School ball ensuring there were no further first half scores. With the half time score reading 7-0 in favour of the Belfast High School team, the Larne team was still positive that the game was winnable. However, it was the Belfast High School team that started the second period of play more positively. Eight minutes into the second half, Ryan McGonigle took full advantage of good work from his fellow forwards, where Ryan McKay and Chris Taylor were having a major influence. Ryan broke blind to touch down for an unconverted try that put his team into a 12-0 lead. Once again the Larne Grammar School team struck back in a positive manner. The home pack managed to get some quality ball which Robert McKinley was able to use effectively. Following quick ruck ball, Robert put his half back partner, Aaron McBride into space. Aaron was in a position to exploit poor Belfast High School defence and touch down under the posts for a try. Philip Andrews converted the try to reduce the arrears to 12-7 and offer the vociferous Larne Grammar School supporters as well as his team a lifeline midway through the second half. However, it was the Belfast High School team that ensured their progress into the draw for the Fourth Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup when, with just seven minutes remaining, their energetic hooker, Aaron Blair took advantage of more good work from his pack to touch down for a try. Robbie Fryers added the conversion to give the High School team a 19-7 lead. Despite the best efforts of the Larne team in the final few minutes, there was no change to the score at the no side whistle. It was the Belfast High School team that celebrated their well- deserved 19-7 win of an intriguing game.
DALRIADA SCHOOL V PORTADOWN COLLEGE
Dalriada School, defeated by Friends’ School in a recent friendly, travelled to play a Portadown College team that was in a confident mood following their Round 2 Schools’ Cup win against Wellington College. The first half proved to be a very closely contested affair with both teams enjoying equal amounts of both possession as well as territory. The heavy underfoot conditions made it difficult for the respective back divisions to show their talents but the home team made good use of the educated boot of outhalf, Neal Irwin, to take the game deep into Dalriada territory. However, the Portadown pack was unable to take advantage with their lineout failing to function at critical times. Close to the end of the first half, a loose kick ahead from the Portadown midfield, Dalriada full back, Jonny Laughlin, linked with his winger Johnny McMullan. Johnny displayed great pace and determination to outpace the Portadown College defence and touchdown for the first try of the game. Johnny Laughlin added the conversion to give the Dalriada team a 7-0 lead, a lead they held until half time. The Portadown team had dominated the scrums in the first half but the Dalriada pack started to get better control at the set piece exchanges after the restart. Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ U19 No 8, Roger Bonnar, started to have a greater influence on the game for his Dalriada team. His work in both attacking and defensive lineouts was impressive and caused problems for the home pack. The Dalriada team extended their lead to 14-0 when midway through the second half; Johnny McMullan intercepted a Portadown pass on his own ten metre line. Once again, Johnny outpaced the Portadown defence to run in from 60 metres and score at the posts. Johnny Laughlin added the conversion to extend the Dalriada lead to 14-0. The Portadown team responded in a positive way and took the game to Dalriada. The home pack took a scrum against the head which enabled their hard working No 8, Josh McCullough, to pick and run 50 metres deep into Dalriada territory. Last gasp defence halted his progress but a Dalriada infringement on the ground earned the Portadown College team a penalty. The penalty was quickly taken and Thomas Halliday went over for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed but the Portadown team had reduced the arrears to 14-5. Dalriada responded immediately to take play deep into Portadown territory. Their replacement wing, Jack Magee, made an immediate impact when he took advantage of good work from the impressive Andy Marks, Roger Bonnar and Ben Henderson to score in the corner. Johnny Laughlin was, once again, successful with his conversion to put the Dalriada team into a 21-5 lead. With just minutes remaining the Dalriada team sealed the game with a Johnny Laughlin penalty to ensure their progress into the 4th Round draw for the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup with this well-deserved 24-5 win against the Portadown College team.
GROSVENOR GRAMMAR V BANBRIDGE ACADEMY
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It was the Grosvenor Grammar School pack that laid the foundations for their emphatic 22-7 Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 3 win against a strangely quiet Banbridge Academy team. The Grosvenor pack dominated proceedings at both the scrum and lineout while their back row trio of Issac Thompson, Ryan McKnight and Conor Sinclair had total control of the breakdown area. Mark Foster, Stuart Smyth and Nick Jones were in control at scrum time while the two Matthews, Harland and Cahoon, were in the ascendancy when it came to the line outs. The Grosvenor team made good use of their domination of possession in the first half. They scored a try through Martyn Irwin who took full advantage of good work from Ben Coard and Paul Kennedy to touch down at the Banbridge Academy posts. Surprisingly, the try was not converted but the home team had a 5-0 lead. This try was closely followed by a second from Stuart Smyth, the energetic Grosvenor Grammar School hooker. Scott Irvine added the conversion to give his team a deserved 12-0 half time lead. The second half was almost a repeat of the first period of play with the Grosvenor team scoring two tries. The first came ten minutes into the second half when good skills from the Grosvenor scrum half, Neil Adams, presented Stuart Smyth with the opportunity to score his second try of the game. Stuart touiched down for the try but once aghain, the conversion was missed. Despite this, the Grosvenor Grammar School team now had a 17-0 lead. The second Grosvenor try of the second half was scored by No 8, Conor Sinclair. He drove over for a try following a great scrum from his Grosvenor Grammar School pack. Unusually for him, Scott Irvine missed this conversion attempt as well as a number of penalties in the course of the game but his team now had an unassailable 22-0 lead. The Banbridge team staged something of a comeback in the closing stages of the game when their hard working full back, Michael Runciman, was rewarded for his endeavours with a fine individual try. Chrissy Craig added the conversion but it was a case of too little, too late for the Banbridge Academy team. It was a delighted Grosvenor Grammar School team that celebrated their well-deserved 22-7 win at the final whistle and go proudly through to the 4th Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
REGENT HOUSE V LIMAVADY GS
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Regent House made the long journey to play Limavady Grammar School in their 3rd Round Schools’ Cup encounter. The Newtownards team was secure in the knowledge that they had recorded a sizeable victory against the Limavady Grammar School team earlier in the season. They were hopeful of a similar outcome to this game. However, it was the home team that was the more impressive in the opening exchanges of the game. The home team should have taken an early lead but Nathan Barr missed narrowly with two penalty opportunities. This seemed to spur the Regent House team into action and good work from their pack took the visitors deep into Limavady territory. Following a series of rucks, Jamie McKnight powered his way over the Limavady line to touch down for the opening try of the game. Nathan Burns converted the try to put his team into a 7-0 lead. The Limavady team, with a large number of young players in their ranks, responded to this setback in a positive manner. Nathan Barr put a penalty into touch close to the Regent House line. From the ensuing lineout, the Limavady pack caught and drove the ball. A rolling maul from the Limavady pack was well controlled allowing Conor Crampsie to barge over the Regent House line, close to the touchline. Nathan Barr was accurate with his conversion attempt to take the score to 7-7. Close to half time, Nathan Barr converted a penalty opportunity to put his team into a 10-7 half time lead. Both teams turned around after halftime knowing that the first score of the second half would be vital. It was the Regent team that got the score when Jonny Quigg touched down for an unconverted try that put his team into a 12-10 lead. The Limavady team responded positively to the Regent try. They took play into the Regent 22m area and came close to scoring on a number of occasions. Eventually, the hard work of the Limavady Grammar School team was rewarded when replacement player, Connor McKee, scrambled his way over the Regent House line. Nathan Barr was successful with his conversion attempt to put his team into a 17-12 lead. This score forced Regent to raise their game and they did. After a 5 metre scrum, Regent finally got over the Limavady line, despite resolute defence, for Stephen Deering to score a try. The conversion was unsuccessful but the score was now tied at 17-17. With just minutes remaining Regent scored an unconverted through Stephen Deering, who took three Limavady defenders across the line with him, to leave the score at 22-17 in favour of the Regent House team. In the final minute of the game Limavady had one last chance to score but, unfortunately for them, the ball was turned over allowing a relieved Regent House team to clear their line and celebrate their hard earned 22-17 victory when the final whistle blew.
ROYAL SCHOOL DUNGANNON V COLERIANE AI
Royal School, Dungannon hosted Coleraine AI in the 3rd Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup at the Northland Road venue. The game saw a large number of supporters from both schools create a great atmosphere and with the RS Dungannon pitch in superb condition the scene was set for an entertaining encounter. The home team was quickly out of the blocks and scored after only five minutes of play. Coleraine AI gave away a silly penalty just inside their 22m area. The RS Dungannon outhalf, Peter Nelson, took a quick tapped penalty to cause chaos in the Coleraine AI defence. He created the space for Peter Cashel to score the opening try of the game in the corner. Peter Nelson was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt but his team had a 5-0 lead. 3 minutes later the Coleraine team had the opportunity to reduce the deficit but Michael Poskitt was unsuccessful with his kick from the 10 metre line. Midway through the first half, Peter Nelson made no mistake with a penalty opportunity which he converted to put the RS Dungannon team into an 8-0 lead. Shortly after this the whole scenario changed when Coleraine took the game deep into RS Dungannon territory. Good lineout work from Peter Liken and Simon McLean led to a period of pressure from Coleraine AI. Paddy Farrell made an excellent break down the blindside of a ruck and took the opportunity to feed the ball inside to Michael McIntyre. Michael was well tackled but quick ruck ball was produced and fed to Michael Poskitt who was pulled down just short of the RS Dungannon line. Once again quick ruck ball from the Coleraine AI pack was produced which enabled Duncan Dysart to score under the RS Dungannon posts. Michael Poskitt converted the try to reduce the arrears to 8-7.After 26 minutes of the first half the Coleraine AI team struck again when their forwards produced 3 quick phases between the resapective 22m areas. Excellent handling from the Coleraine AI backline allowed Michael Poskitt to feed Stuart McCaffery. Stuart created the space for Michael McIntyre to score in the corner. Michael Poskitt converted this try from the touchline to put his team into a 14-8 lead. From kick off Richard McLean claimed the kick and fed Paddy Farrell who made 30 m break from Coleraine AI 22m area. Paddy was brought down on the opposition 10m line but Stephen Best and Andy Nicholl carried from the ensuing rucks to deliver quick ball to Josh Murdock who broke through the ragged RS Dungannon defence to score in the corner. Michael Poskitt missed the conversion but his team now had a 19-8 lead. Close to half time Coleraine AI scored another try when a poor RS Dungannon clearance kick found Paddy Farrell. Paddy broke through several tackles and fed the impressive Stuart McCaffery who outpaced the despairing home defence to score close to the posts. Michael Poskitt converted the try to give his team a healthy 26-8 half time lead. The RS Dungannon team raised the tempo of their performance after the restart and got rewarded for their enterprising approach when Peter Nelson broke to good effect on the blindside of a ruck. Peter found Peter Cashel in support and the winger scorched in for an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to 26-13. On 60 minutes Michael Poskitt missed a penalty in front of the RS Dungannon posts. From the 22m drop out the Coleraine AI winger, Alan Clarke, stepped inside two RS Dungannon defenders and carried the ball up to the RS Dungannon 10m line. From the ensuing ruck Stephen Best rumbled forward committing 4 RS Dungannon defenders. Paddy Farrell gained possession and broke blind from base of a ruck to feed the ball to Stuart McCaffery who again beat a number of defenders to score close to the posts. Michael Poskitt was successful with his conversion to give his team a 33-13 lead. With just minutes remaining the home team claimed the last try of the game when Peter Nelson intercepted a loose Coleraine AI on his 10m line. Peter proceeded to outpace the Coleraine AI defence to score in the corner. The conversion was missed to see the Coleraine AI team proceed to the 4th Round draw of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup with their well-deserved 33-18 win in this entertaining game.
DOWN HIGH SCHOOL V FOYLE & LONDONDERRY COLLEGE
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It was a nervous looking Down High School team that took to the pitch for their home encounter against Foyle and Londonderry College in the 3rd Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. The home team dominated possession in the opening exchanges but found they were unable to convert the pressure into points. Indeed, it could have been the Foyle and Londonderry team that took the lead in the first half when they thought they had scored a try. However, the referee had other ideas and penalised the Foyle and Londonderry College ball carrier for a double movement as he touched down. Justin Rea converted a penalty attempt midway through the first half to somewhat ease the Down High School nerves and give his team a 3-0 lead. He extended this lead to 6-0 with a second penalty before Kyle Henderson, the Foyle and Londonderry kicker, reduced the arrears to 6-3 with a penalty of his own. In the lead up to half time Justin Rea was successful with his third penalty of the game to see his team safely into the break with a 9-3 lead. After the restart, Kyle Henderson was successful with another penalty for the Foyle team to take the score to 9-6. At this stage, the Foyle team was in the ascendancy and the Down defence had to be well organised as well as disciplined to withstand the promptings of Foyle players such as Ian Vance, Conor Cummings and Graeme McCarter. With 20 minutes of the game remaining, Down High School brought on their Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ U19’s prop forward, Stuart Orr, for his first taste of action since he picked up a leg injury some time ago. This brought a great sense of resolve to the Down High School team who took the game deep into Foyle and Londonderry College territory. Justin Rea kicked his fourth penalty of the game to give his team a 12-6 lead. With just eight minutes of the game remaining, the Down High School lineout produced good ball in the Foyle 22m area. The driving maul was well controlled and when the maul went to ground the Down High School hooker, Patrick Calvert, was on hand to pick the ball and drive over the Foyle and Londonderry College line for an unconverted try. His team now had a 17-6 lead and despite the best intentions of the Foyle team in the final few minutes; the Down High School maintained this lead up until the final whistle. The home team celebrated their win that saw them into the draw for the 4th Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
4TH ROUND DRAW OF THE NORTHERN BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP
The draw for the 4th Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup took place at Larne Grammar School. The draw was conducted by Mr Graham Lapsley, representing the Northern Bank sponsors assisted by Mr John Wilson, Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee. The result of the draw was as follows:-
Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Dalriada School
Bangor Grammar School v Belfast Royal Academy
Down High School v Ballyclare High School
Belfast High School v Sullivan Upper School
Wallace High School v Methodist College, Belfast
Royal School, Armagh v Ballymena Academy
Coleraine Academical Institute v Grosvenor Grammar School
Regent House v Campbell College
The draw for the Quarter-Final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl also took place on Saturday 29th January.
Royal School, Dungannon v Banbridge Academy
Foyle and Londonderry College v Limavady Grammar School
Rainey Endowed School v Portadown College
Larne Grammar School v Friends’ School, Lisburn
All the games listed are scheduled to take place on Saturday 5th February.
There were 3 Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy games taking place over the week-end.
On Friday afternoon Antrim Grammar School hosted Portora Royal School at the Steeple Road venue.
In an entertaining game, with both teams attempting to play an open game, there was plenty of action for the good crowd to enjoy. The Portora team started well and put their hosts under some early pressure. The visitors might have taken the lead as a result of this early pressure but Robert Connors was unsuccessful with his penalty attempt. Antrim recovered from this early pressure and took the game to Portora. The home team was held up twice over the Portora line with Supreet Jayaprakash and Aiden Howe central to all that was positive about the Antrim attitude to the game. Portora survived the Antrim onslaught and got the first try of the game when their lively scrum half, Rory Gibson, followed up after charging down a clearance kick, to be awarded the touchdown. Robert Connors was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt but the Portora team had a 5-0 lead. Portora might have extended this lead soon afterwards but yet again, a kick at goal was missed. Antrim continued to play attractive rugby and got rewarded for their endeavours when Niall McCullough crossed the Portora line for an unconverted try to take the score to 5-5. Portora responded immediately and a combination of a good interchange of passes involving Robert Connors, Jonny Magwood and James Ferguson, opened up the Antrim defence. James Ferguson took full advantage of the situation to score a try for his team. Again the conversion was missed but the Portora team had a 10-5 half time lead. The start of the second half saw the Portora pack take control of the set pieces. Good scrum technique enabled play to go deep into the Antrim 22m area and Graham Rutherford took the opportunity to score a try. Robert Connors converted this try to put his team into a 17-5 lead. The Antrim team did not give up and attacked at every opportunity. They were unfortunate to turn ball over with a knock in the midst of a promising attack which allowed Jonny Magwood to gain possession and out sprint the chasing defenders. Jonny touched down for an unconverted try to give his team a 22-5 lead. It was the Antrim team that scored the final try of the game when Jake McClay raced in for a well- deserved try. The conversion was missed ensuring the Portora team returned home with a 22-10 win and a place in the semi-final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy.
The Omagh Academy team has the power of their pack to thank for their well-deserved Quarter-Final Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy win at home to Cambridge House on Saturday.
The home team took some time to settle into the game but once their forwards, with Jonny Sproule, Benji Knox and Gary Sherrard to the fore, began to dominate the set pieces it was only a matter of time before they scored. 15 minutes into the game that is exactly what they did! Gary Sherrard took full advantage of a well-controlled Omagh Academy driven maul to get the touch down for the first try of the game. Ashley McIlwaine missed the conversion but his team had a 5-0 lead. The home team continued to dominate the forward exchanges and extended their lead just before half time. Gary Sherrard scored his second try of the game when he broke from the base of a scrum to touch down for the try. Ashley McIlwaine converted the try to see his team into a 12-0 half time lead. Early in the second half Timmy Small had the opportunity to bring Cambridge House back into the game but he was just short with his penalty attempt. The Omagh team started to dominate the territory only to find Matthew Harkness, the Cambridge House flanker, turning over a lot of the Omagh Academy ball. Omagh did manage to extend their lead to 15-0 when Ashley McIlwaine converted a penalty opportunity. With just minutes remaining an Omagh attack from a tapped penalty was halted by the Cambridge House defence. The ball was turned over enabling Cambridge House to run in a try from Timmy Small. He was unsuccessful with his conversion which ensured it was the Omagh team that went into the draw for the semi-final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy.
Lurgan College hosted Wellington College in the Quarter-Final of the Ulster Schools’ Trophy in a re-run of the 1st Round game when Wellington won the game.
The Lurgan team was hopeful that home advantage would be the catalyst for an improved performance and a home win. The first half performance of the home team suggested they might have been able to get a win against a Wellington team that won a lot of ball in the scrums and rucks but did very little with the possession they had. Both teams kicked two first half penalties with Josh McKay kicking the Lurgan points and Adam Webb scoring for his Wellington team. With the score reading 6-6 at half time, the scene was set for an intriguing second half. Despite the best endeavours of the Lurgan College team, it was the wellington team that made better use of the possession they had. David Marshall and Lee Graham combined to put debutant centre, Josh Garnham, in for a try. Adam Webb added the conversion to see his team into a 13-6 lead. Lurgan College responded well and Josh McKay was successful with his 3rd penalty of the game to reduce the deficit to 13-9. However, it was Adam Webb who had the final say of the game when he converted a penalty opportunity to see the Wellington College team through the game with a 16-9 victory and a place in the semi-final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy.
The draw for the Semi-Final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy took place on Saturday 29th January.
Portora Royal School v Wellington College
Omagh Academy v Carrickfergus Grammar School
These games are scheduled to take place on Saturday 5th February.
Northern Bank Medallion Shield Round 1 Results :
St Columb’s College 63-0 Strabane Grammar School.
Banbridge Academy 46-12 Friends’ School, Lisburn
Limavady High School 12-31 High School, Ballynahnich
Slemish College 12-15 Carrickfergus Grammar School.
Antrim Grammar School 5-39 Omagh Academy
Craigavon Senior High School 0-10 Wellington College
Northern Bank Medallion Shield Round 2:
Wellington College 27-7 Portora Royal School
Portadown College 12-20 Larne Grammar School
Regent House 64-3 High School, Ballynahinch
Royal School, Dungannon 26-0 Lurgan College
Omagh Academy 21-10 Foyle and Londonderry College
Banbridge Academy 0-27 Grosvenor Grammar School
There are still a number of Round 2 Medallion Shield games to take and schools are asked to complete fixtures as soon as possible. The next round draw for the Medallion Shield will take place on Wednesday 2nd February.
The draw for the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup 2nd Round and Plate 1st Round has taken place.
3RD XV CUP ROUND 2
1 Methodist College 4th XV v Sullivan Upper School
2 Ballymena Academy v Campbell College
3 Campbell College 4thxv/RS Armagh v Royal Belfast Acad Inst
4. Cambridge House v Methodist College
5 Wallace High School v Portora RS/RS Dungannon
6 Banbridge Academy v Limavady GS/Foyle + L’Derry
7 Royal Belfast AI 4thXV v Rainey ES/Coleraine AI
8 Regent House v Portadown College
3RDxv PLATE
1 Down High School v Bangor Grammar.
2 Ballyclare High School 4thXV v Belfast Royal Academy
3 Rainey ES/Coleraine AI v Campbell 4thxv/RS Armagh
4 BYE v Belfast Royal Academy 4thXV
5 Ballyclare High School v Portora RS/RS Dungannon
6 RS Armagh 4thXV v Limavady GS/Foyle+L’Derry
7 Grosvenor Grammar v BYE
8 Ballymena Academy 4thXV v Wallace High School 4th XV
These Games are to be played as soon as possible and the results sent to S. Graham at CAI.( Text 07740585455)
There was one midweek friendly game played when Belfast Royal Academy hosted Ballymena Academy on Wednesday in a game played under the floodlights at Roughfort.
This was the final game for both teams before they enter the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 on February 5th. There was added interest in the game given that it was a repeat of last season’s Schools’ Cup Final. The opening ten minutes were tightly contested, with B.R.A. enjoying the majority of territory and possession. It was the home team that took a 3-0 lead with a penalty from their Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 out half, Stuart Olding. From the kick off, Ballymena Academy regained possession and moved the ball to centre Nicholas Stirling who broke clear to finish from sixty metres out. Caleb Morrison added the conversion to put his team into a 7-3 lead. Five minutes later, an excellent passage of play by Ballymena saw Jordan Foster make good ground on the right wing and feed the ball inside to Adam Mitchell. Adam made no mistake with the opportunity and ran in to score a try below the posts. Caleb Morrison was successful with the conversion and added a penalty a few minutes later to establish a 17-3 lead for his team. Unfortunately for the B.R.A. team, Stuart Olding had to retire with a shoulder injury, but this did not stop them adding a penalty from his replacement, Jake Kane, to reduce the deficit to 17-6. Just before half time, Ballymena created space in the middle of the field and Caleb Morrison’s well-judged pass to Peter Wallace allowed Peter to finish below the posts. Caleb was successful with his conversion to leave the half time score at 24-6. Belfast Royal Academy started the second half in determined fashion and spent ten minutes camped on the Ballymena Academy line. The Ballymena pack was guilty of conceding too many penalties and eventually the pressure turned into points when the home team rumbled over for an unconverted try with David Campbell being awarded the touchdown to reduce the arrears to 24-11. Ballymena went on the attack again and, moments after, a try was disallowed because of a double movement. However, shortly after this Darren Geddis had a well-timed run which saw him find a gap in the home defence. Darren exploited this gap ruthlessly to score below the posts. Caleb Morrison maintained his 100% kicking record to increase the score to 31-11. The final try of the evening was a result of some outstanding work by Ballymena No.8, Matthew Rea. Matthew broke clear and timed his pass perfectly to Peter Wallace who raced home from fifty metres for his second try of the match. Caleb Morrison was successful with his conversion to leave the final score reading 38-11 to Ballymena Academy.
Friends’ School recovered from the disappointment of their Schools’ Cup defeat by Bangor Grammar when they recorded an impressive victory at Carrickfergus Grammar on Saturday.
The Lisburn team started well and took a 3-0 lead when Paul Anderson kicked an early penalty. This was followed by an unconverted try from Desi Eastwood to give the Friends’ team an 8-0 lead. The Friends’ pack was controlling possession with Brice Bailie, Joe Murphy and Dean Howes winning a lot of lineout ball. The Friends’ backs always looked dangerous with the ball in hand. Just before the interval the Friends’ School No 8, Dean Howes, broke through a number of Carrickfergus Grammar School tackles to touch down for a try. Paul Anderson added the extras to give his team a 15-0 half time lead. The second half saw the Friends’ team continue where they had left off at the interval. Carrickfergus Grammar School did manage a consolation try when the hard working Mark Gordon charged his way over for an unconverted try. After this, the Friends’ team attacked the Carrickfergus Grammar School line at every opportunity. This expansive approach saw the Friends’ team score 2nd half tries from Ben McMullan, Desi Eastwood, the impressive Brice Bailie who touched down twice and the outstanding Michael Cochrane who scored two tries as well. Paul Anderson was successful with four of his conversions to see the Friends’ team record an impressive 53-5 win. Rory McIvor led his team with aplomb to ensure that the possession provided from his pack was well utilised by the entire team.
The only other non-cup fixture played on Saturday 29th involved two teams who will enter the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup at the Round 4 stage. Royal Belfast Academical Institution hosted Wallace High School at Osbourne Park and proceeded to dominate the first half exchanges.
The Belfast Inst team started well and capitalised on a Wallace High School error on the half way line. A dropped Wallace High School pass was hacked on by Nathan Dugan who outpaced the Wallace defence to touch down at the posts for a try. Matthew McGuigan added the conversion points to give his team a 7-0 lead. The Belfast Inst captain, Paddy Bell, then got in on the act when he burst through a tackle on the right hand side of the pitch. Paddy ran in from the 22m area to touch down under the Wallace High School posts. Matthew McGuigan added the extras to put the Belfast Inst team into a 14-0 lead. Wallace came back strongly but the home defence was well organised. David Scott did manage to reduce the deficit momentarily for the Wallace team when he converted a penalty opportunity to take the score to 14-3. However, the Belfast Inst team extended their first half lead to 23-3 when Matthew McGuigan was successful with three penalty attempts. After these penalties there were no further scores in the first half. A few well chosen words by the Wallace coaching staff at the interval improved the Wallace High School 2nd half performance. The Inst team, already without Michael Mairs, Zach Welshman and Gareth Lawlor, took of Paddy Bell, Ben Alexander , Connor Neill and Matthew Taylor in the second half. This gave some squad players the opportunity to get game time. Despite the improved performance of the Wallace team in the second half the Inst defence proved to be impenetrable. The game finished with the full time score reading the same as the half time score-23-3 in favour of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
