Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Semi-Final Previews March 2014
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Semi-Finalists are known, the draws made and pitches found for the games which will take place on Tuesday 4th and Thursday 6th March.
GAME 1:
Methodist College will meet Wallace High School in the first semi-final on Tuesday 4th March at the Queen’s University playing fields.
The Methodist College team came safely through a very tough encounter against Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Quarter-Final game. The Methody team might see themselves as somewhat fortunate to have come through that encounter with a win but their experiences in that game will hold them in good stead as they look forward to yet another semi-final appearance. The success they have experienced in their current Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign has been built on the strength of their pack. Despite experiencing difficulties at scrum time against RBAI, the Methody pack is a formidable outfit. Michael Lagan captains the team from the loose head position. Michael leads from the front and can call upon the representative experience of fellow front row players, Steven Weir and Ross McAllister, if the going gets tough. He has players such as Alex Thompson, Conall Boomer and Saul Herdman behind him. All of these players are effective at line out time but it is their ability to gain ground from their well-organised driving maul that has caused problems for the opposition in recent Schools’ Cup games. The only try of the game in the course of the Quarter-Final game against RBAI came from a play following a Methody driven maul just before the interval. The Methodist College midfield of Josh Bingham, Connor McKee and Alistair McIvor is a very talented trio. When they get a supply of quality possession these players have the ability to use the ball well. The have created a lot of scoring opportunities in the course of the season, scored a lot of points and form a defensive trio that is hard to breach. Out wide, the Methody team has a number of players available that can prove elusive with the ball in hand and very steady in dealing with kicks. This Methodist College squad is determined they have the talent to win the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup for the third year in a row. Coaches, Nicky Wells and Stephen Lindsay, will ensure they will not underestimate a Wallace High School team they have beaten already this season. The scene is set for a potential classic Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Semi-Final.
The Wallace High School team can point to their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup winning credentials by saying they have been on the road for their two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games this season against Belfast High School and Campbell College. Despite having been behind in both games at the interval, the Wallace High School team displayed enough determination, skill and nous to go on and win.
Wallace High School Captain, Callum Irvine, has made a great recovery from injury. He has returned to galvanise his team and his presence has ensured his team mates are playing with a renewed confidence in their ability. Alongside Callum, Ben Pentland, Max Trouton and Josh Collingwood were Wallace High School players who impressed with their ball carrying abilities against both Belfast High School and Campbell College. They will need to impress once again against Methody. The Wallace High School backs love to get the ball in their hands. Their young halfbacks, Jonny Stewart and Ryan Moore, have been central to many of the Wallace successes this season. They display a maturity beyond their years and will make good use of any ball made available to them. Ryan is also a first class place kicker who will punish any Methodist College indiscretions. Outside these players, there is an abundance of attacking prowess in the Wallace backline. Andrew Cardosi, Ben Finlay and, in particular, Jack Stockdale, are players the Methodist College defence will need to monitor closely if there is not to be a surprise outcome to this game.
This game is scheduled to kick off at 2-30pm.
