The second of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ competition finals took place when Omagh Academy played Rainey Endowed School at Dungannon Rugby Club in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl competition.
In an exciting game, the Omagh Academy team came through as 24-0 winners. The TC Autos sponsored Omagh Academy side won the toss and decided to play with the wind in the first half. The opening ten minutes were played between the two 10m lines with neither team giving an inch and both defending well. It was through such strong defence that Omagh created their first scoring opportunity. A magnificent tackle from James Catterson forced a knock on and from the scrum, James picked from the base and fed his scrum half, Lloyd Kane. Lloyd raced through a hole in the defence and side stepped the Rainey Endowed full back to run in for the try. Lloyd converted his try to give the Omagh team a 7-0 lead. Omagh had now settled into the game and started to play for territory, keeping Rainey deep in their half. With a blustery wind blowing straight into Rainey, they were forced to run the ball out of defence. However, Omagh’s defence could not be broken down. Strong tackling in midfield forced another handling error and the lively Scott Hemphill hacked the ball towards the try line and went on to win the race to touch down for the try. Lloyd Kane narrowly missed the conversion but Omagh had increased their lead to 12-0. CLICK HERE for 18 superb shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rainey had one opportunity at the end of the half but were thwarted by a huge tackle from the Omagh Academy out half, Neil Maclaine. He forced a knock-on and the half time whistle blew with the Omagh team in a commanding 12-0 lead.
Turning to play into the blustery conditions was going to be difficult for Omagh in the second half and the half time team talk was all about keeping their discipline and defending well. Rainey came out strongly in the second half and set up camp inside the Omagh 22m area for the opening ten minutes but just couldn’t score. Omagh’s pack defended the fringes of the ruck brilliantly with important tackles coming from Matthew Sproule, Jack Mitchell and Adam Longwell. A massive double hit by Andy Wilson and Adam Longwell finally forced the opposition into making an error and conceding a penalty. Omagh grew in confidence from this and worked their way into the Rainey half. With fifteen minutes remaining, Omagh Academy scored their third try. Lineout ball was secured and the backs were released with Adam Stephenson coming up just short of the line, James Kelso thought he had scored having picked from the base of the ruck but was just short of the line. Lloyd Kane moved the ball from the breakdown and Scott Hemphill ran an fantastic line off Neil Maclaine to cut through the defence and go over for the try which was converted by Lloyd Kane.
With confidence high Omagh Academy now looked dangerous with every attack. The final score came from another set piece move from the scrum. Again, James Catterson picked and fed Lloyd Kane who produced a flat pass to the impressive Scott Hemphill. Scott darted over for his hat-trick by touching down in the corner. Lloyd Kane missed the difficult conversion from wide out and the final whistle blew with the Omagh Academy side triumphant by 24-0.
Following the final whistle, the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl was presented to the Omagh Academy team by Mr Richard Anderson, representing the Danske Bank. Mr Stephen Black, Principal’s representative on the Ulster Branch congratulated both teams on their performances, thanked the referee and his officials. Mr Black also thanked Harold Walker, Willie John McKenzie and Davy Wishart from Dungannon RFC for all their hard work and effort in the hosting of the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl.
