Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 10th September 2016
There was one midweek match played in the lead up to the third Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Inter Provincial game and the second U19 Inter Provincial game both of which were played against Munster at the Cork Institute of Technology grounds on Saturday 10th September. Another game was played on Friday 9th September and there was also a full list of schoolboy friendly fixtures played on Saturday 10th September.
Bangor Grammar School hosted King’s Hospital School from Dublin in a midweek fixture which saw the Dublin School emerge as 38-8 winners. The Bangor GS team was missing a number of key players due to injury and Inter Pro commitments but the game presented the coaching staff with the opportunity to blood some younger players in the course of the game. Despite the scoreline the game was competitive with the essential difference coming from the strength of the King’s Hospital team at the breakdown. Daniel Young kicked a first half penalty for the Bangor GS team but the visitors scored first half tries from Sam Wrafter and Clinton Wokocha. Fionn O’Loughlin added one conversion to give the King’s Hospital team a 12-3 lead at the interval.
Ben McCrossan, one of a number of Year 12 players on the Bangor GS team, then scored an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to 12-8. However, after this the strength of the Dublin visitors at the breakdown paved the way for tries from Conal Howley, Scott le Roux and Felix Campbell who touched down twice. Fionn O’Loughlin added three conversions to secure the 38-8 victory for the King’s Hospital team.
The Wallace High School team had travelled to play St Gerard’s College, Bray the previous weekend. Again, the Inter Pros took players such as Jamie Manderson and Jonny Hunter away from the Wallace team that lost the game by 14-10. Jack Brown and Ben Morrison scored the Wallace High School tries in the course of this hard fought encounter.
On Friday 9th September Carrickfergus Grammar School played their local rivals from Larne Grammar School in a tightly fought encounter from which the Larne Grammar School team emerged as 7-0 winners. Larne dominated the opening exchanges and came close to scoring early on when the rumbled down the pitch and into the Carrickfergus defensive area. The charge was halted by some effective Carrickfergus GS scramble defence and effective poaching of the ball at the breakdown. The Carrickfergus team gained possession at times during the first half but failed to maintain it! However, they were strong in defence which nullified a number of Larne GS attacks and the teams turned around at the interval with the scoreboard reading 0-0.
The start of the second half saw the Carrickfergus GS exert some authority on the game and they might have taken the lead on a couple of occasions only to knock the ball on twice. Midway through the second half the Larne GS team did get close to scoring but the ball was held up over the line. The final quarter of the game was played in a positive manner with both teams going for the win. In the end, despite the best efforts of Carrickfergus GS players such as Rhys Willis, Daniel Snoddy and Daniel Curry, it was the Larne Grammar School team that scored the converted try which ensured their 7-0 victory. Morgan Wharry ran in for the try which was converted by Jonny Farquhar.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team played their Munster counterparts at the Cork Institute of Technology grounds on Saturday 10th September. The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team was hopeful of reversing their 18-15 loss against the same opposition at the end of August.
This game saw the Danske Ulster Schools’ team put in probably their best performance of the current Inter Pro season. Despite this the team lost an intriguing encounter by 19-13. Stewart Moore, playing his first game of the series, put the Ulster team into a 3-0 lead when he converted a first minute penalty. The Munster team recovered from this early setback and took a 7-3 lead when Sean French touched down for a try, which Ben Healy converted, in the twelfth minute. Five minutes later Ethan Field finished off a fine Ulster attack when he dotted down for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Ulster team now had an 8-7 lead. Back came the Munster team and they took a 12-8 lead when Sean French scored his second try of the game in the twenty sixth minute. The conversion kick was missed. Just before the break the Munster team increased their lead to 19-8 when Travis Coomey rumbled over the Ulster line for a try, which Ben Healy converted.
The second half saw the Ulster team dig deep to put pressure on the Munster defence but the home defence was in no mood to give anything away. That was until deep into injury time when Tiarnan Martin ran in for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and shortly afterwards the final whistle blew.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team will finish off their Inter Pro campaign when they meet their Leinster counterparts at Pirrie Park on Saturday 17th September. Support would be welcome at that game.
Danske Bank Ulster U18 Schools’ Team
15. Mark Thompson (Ballymena Academy)
14. Jonathan Hunter (Wallace HS
13. Stewart Moore (Dalriada School)
12. Angus Kernohan (Ballymena Academy)
11. Aaron Sexton (Bangor GS)
10. Robin Wilson (Down HS)
9. Niall Armstrong (RBAI)
1. John McKee (Campbell College)
2. Clayton Milligan (Down HS)
3. Scott Agnew (Ballymena Academy)
4. JJ McKee (Antrim GS)
5. Oisin Kiernan (Campbell College)
6. Ethan Field (RBAI)
7. Matthew Crowther (Captain, Campbell College)
8. Jamie Macartney (Campbell College)
Replacements:
16. Tim Savoury (Ballymena Academy)
17. Ben Savage (Ballymena Academy)
18. Ben Crangle (Methodist College)
19. Jack Rutledge (Enniskillen Royal GS)
20. Max Baillie (Coleraine GS)
21. Tom Gilpin (BRA)
22. Lewis Finlay (Down HS)
23. Bruce Houston (Ballymena Academy)
24. George Pringle (Friends School)
25. Tiarnan Martin (Ballymena Academy)
26. Jack Lewis (Ballyclare HS)
Following the Munster Schools’ v Ulster Schools’ game the Munster and Ulster U19 teams took to the pitch at Cork Institute of Technology. Both teams had played one previous Inter Pro game and both teams had won their previous games. The stage was set for a closely contested game and that was how it turned out to be. Ulster won the game by 15-13 which sets up the potential for an U19 Inter-Provincial Championship when the team plays against Connacht U19’s at Osborne Park on Saturday 17th September at 3-00pm.
The Ulster team took a 5-0 lead early in the game when Jonny Stewart took advantage of some good continuity play by his team mates to finish things off with a fine unconverted try. The Munster team responded with a penalty from James Taylor to reduce the deficit to 5-3 after seventeen minutes. Just on the stroke of halftime the Munster team took a 6-5 lead when James Taylor was successful with a second penalty kick.
The early exchanges of the second half saw both teams determined to play positive rugby but both defences remained on top. That was until the fifty fifth minute when Jonny Stewart was successful with a penalty kick to see his team take an 8-5 lead. This seemed to spur the Ulster team into action and, seven minutes later, Michael Lowry latched onto the ball and outstripped the despairing Munster defence to score under the posts. Jonny Stewart added the extras to give the Ulster team a 15-6 lead with what appeared to be just eight minutes remaining. Munster came back at the Ulster team but the Ulster defence was well-organised and kept the opposition at bay. That was until the seventy third minute of the game when Jack O’Sullivan touched down for a try, which Sean Hudson converted, to reduce the deficit to 15-13. Most people in the ground felt the fulltime whistle would but the referee found time to restart the game. The Munster team piled on the pressure but the Ulster team responded superbly well. They maintained their focus and discipline until the final whistle sounded in the eighty second minute of the game!! Then it was the Ulster U19 team that celebrated their well-deserved 15-13 win at the end of what was a very physical encounter.
Support for the Ulster U19 team in their final Inter Provincial game against Connacht on Saturday 17th would be very welcome.
Ulster U19 team v Munster U19s
1/Callum Reid Royal Belfast Academical Institution
2/James Boyle Bangor RFC
3/Tom O’Toole Campbell College, Belfast (Captain)
4/John McCusker Rainey RFC
5/Alistair Burke Ballyclare High School
6/Aaron Hall Ballynahinch RFC
7/Matthew Agnew Bangor Grammar School
8/Joe Dunleavy Letterkenny RFC
9/Jonny Stewart Queen’s University RFC
10/Michael Lowry Royal Belfast Academical Institution
11/Lewis Sampson Bangor RFC
12/Tom Stapley Exiles
13/James Hume Royal Belfast Academical Institution
14/Mark Keane Royal Belfast Academical Institution
15/Joe Finnegan Royal Belfast Academical Institution
16/ Paul McGookin Ballyclare RFC (Replacement Hooker)
17/Tyler Arnold Belfast High School (Replacement Loose Head Prop)
18/Corrie Barrett Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Replacement Tight Head Prop)
19/James Nelson Campbell College, Belfast
20/Jack Barry Glendinning Campbell College, Belfast
21/Rhys O’Donnell Royal Belfast Academical Institution
22/Cormac Fox Armagh RFC
23/Michael Stronge Ballymena Academy
As well as the age grade Inter Provincial games on Saturday 10th September, quite a few schoolboy friendly games were played.
The Ballymena Academy team and Wallace High School team were both hit by the loss of players to the Inter Pro games when the teams met on Saturday 10th. Ballymena had seven players in action with the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team and two with the U19 team while Wallace High School had two with the Ulster Schools’ squad.
The Wallace High School team won the game by 64-14. The Wallace tries came from Jamie Manderson, Josh Cardosi and Brian Parker all of whom scored two tries each and Gareth Dillon, Neil Woods, Sam Courtney and Kyle Patton who touched down for one try apiece. Matthew Pentland was successful with seven of his conversion kicks. The Ballymena points came from James McLean and Conor Cosgrove tries with Conor adding two conversions.
Regent House and Rainey Endowed School played out a pulsating game from which the Regent House team emerged as 45-31 winners. The Rainey team had built up a 26-10 lead by the interval. They scored four tries through Connor Stringer, David Atkinson, David Dripps and Ciaran Doyle. Adam Hunter kicked three conversions. In response the Regent House team scored two first half tries through Alex Hendrickse and Cameron Quinn.
Regent rallied in the second half and limited their mistakes. They dominated in the forward exchanges and created space in the wide channels for the Regent House backs to exploit. Rainey ES scored one second half try through Aaron Hamilton and the Regent points came from a Robbie Johnston penalty, two Jack Smith tries, as well as one conversion, and one try each from Robert Hull, Kyle van Geisen, Aaron Migan and Brendan Frazer.
Methodist College, Belfast and Sullivan Upper School met in a game which the Methodist College was winning 12-5 before the decision was taken to cut the game short due to a player becoming ill. The Methody team had built up a 12-0 by the interval with tries from Alex Cairns and Ethan McIlroy, one of which was converted by Paul Kerr.
Andy McConnell scored an unconverted try for the Sullivan Upper team in the second half to reduce the arrears to 12-5. Midway through the half the decision was taken to finish the game due to a medical problem affecting a Sullivan player. Thankfully the player is reported to be on the mend and the Sullivan Upper staff would like to thank the Methody staff, as well as the Doctor in attendance at the game, for all their assistance and help with the player concerned.
Royal School, Armagh travelled to play a Bangor Grammar School team that had lost a couple of players to the age grade Inter Pros. The RS Armagh team returned home with a 24-7 victory under their belts. The RS Armagh tries came from Chris Jennings, Peter Wilson, Zack Thompson and Callum Whiteside. Glen Faloon added two conversions.
Bangor GS scored a late consolation try through Ben McCrossan, which was converted by Daniel Young. However, it was a case of “too little, too late” for the Bangor GS team with the Royal School, Armagh team in victory mode before the try was scored.
Lurgan College played a Royal Belfast Academical Institution Colts’ team and won the game by 26-0. The Lurgan College team had built up a 14-0 by halftime with tries from prop forward, Michael Boulos, and flanker, Victor MacKenzie. Scott Wilson was successful with both conversions.
The Lurgan College No 8, Reuben McCreery, scored two second half tries for his team with Scott Wilson converting one of these tries. Lurgan College outhalf, Josh Abraham, impressed with the game management skills he displayed throughout the game.
Meanwhile in Dublin, the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team travelled to play the might of Belvedere College without nine players who were on Inter Pro duty. The game featured the respective Schools’ Cup winners from Leinster and Ulster last season and was played in perfect sunny conditions. Despite a strong opening quarter from the Belvedere College team it was the Belfast Inst team that opened the scoring en route to a 12-3 win. Following a break down the right wing by Adam Gowdy a penalty was awarded to the visitors. Scrumhalf, Jamie Mullan, tapped quickly and broke falling just short of line but a clever off-load found fullback, Zak Davidson, who was on hand to finish in corner with an unconverted try to give the Belfast Inst team a 5-0 lead. There were no further first half scores.
The game continued to be tight affair and it not until ten minutes into second half did the Belvedere College register 3 points when their outhalf kicked an excellent pen. The decisive winning score was an excellent team effort expertly finished off by hooker, Neil Saulters, with Angus Adair adding the extras to secure the 12-3 win for the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team.
The “Man of the Match” Award went to the Belfast Inst 2nd Row forward, Pierce McLernon for his powerful carries and tackles as well as his work at set piece time.
Wellington College and Antrim Grammar School played out a 7-7 draw after the Wellington team had recorded a 37-0 victory in a shortened game against a Campbell College 3rdxv. This Wellington win came on the back of good performances from Luke Harris and Aaron Nelson.
Thomas Lorimer scored the Wellington try against Antrim with Adam McCluskey adding the conversion. Eoghan White, Jack Divet, Adam Savage and Niall McGrath all played well foe the Wellington College team against Antrim Grammar School.
Antrim Grammar School recorded a 32-0 victory against the Campbell College 3rdxv before playing Wellington College. Daniel Allen scored the try, which Callum Hull converted, against the Wellington College team.
The Banbridge Academy team had a fine 17-10 win over Portadown College. The Academy started the better and were on the scoreboard after fifteen minutes when flanker, Toby Baxter, drove over in the corner to score an unconverted try and give his team a 5-0 lead.. On twenty minutes Portadown struck back with a converted try under the posts from Matthew Neill which gave the Portadown College team a 7-5 lead. The rest of the half was an even affair and the score remained 7-5 in favour of Portadown College at half-time.
Banbridge Academy was the dominant side throughout large parts of the second half. On forty minutes, scrum half, Christopher Patterson, sniped down the blind side to score an unconverted try to give his team a 10-7 lead. Despite pressure the Academy team was unable to extent that lead and, on sixty minutes, after some good phase play, Portadown drew level with a penalty from Matthew Neill. This fired the Academy into action again and on sixty five minutes centre, Andrew Denver, pounced on a loose ball and beat four defenders to score under the posts. Ross Cartmill slotted the kick and the Academy team was able to hold on for their 17-10 win despite the efforts of Portadown College players such as Drew Flack, Dylan Nelson, Alistair and Jordan Taylor. Paul Cartmill, John Denver, Toby Baxter and Phil Mitchell all impressed for the Banbridge Academy team in the course of the game.
Belfast Royal Academy defeated Ballyclare High School by 25-10 in a game played at Roughfort. Lewis Davidson scored two tries and Curtis Scott scored one try for the Belfast Royal Academy team with Conor McAuley adding two conversions and two penalties.
For the Ballyclare High School team Owen Hutchinson kicked a first half penalty with James Nelson scoring a try and Adam Clarke adding the conversion late in the second half.
The Down High School team was missing four players on age grade duty when they travelled to play Omagh Academy. The Down High School team had taken a 7-0 lead having converted a penalty try through Harry Hitchens early in the game. However, the Omagh Academy team responded with tone converted try and a penalty, all in the second half, to record a 10-7 victory. Ulster U17 player, Glenn McKinley scored the try with Kyle Beattie adding the conversion, as well as the penalty, which sealed the result.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School welcomed Foyle and Londonderry College to play in Enniskillen in a game the Enniskillen RGS won by 30-13. Reece Smyton kicked an early penalty for the home team and Alex Parke then added an unconverted try to put the Enniskillen RGS team into an 8-0 lead. Foyle then kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears to 8-3. Just before the interval Reece Barrett rounded off a flowing move with an unconverted try to give his team a 13-3 lead.
Foyle College kicked an early second half penalty before John Allan scored a try, which Reece Smyton converted, to give the Enniskillen RGS team a 20-6 lead. Foyle then scored a converted try before Dylan Crawford and Angus Frazer touched down for two late tries which secured the 30-13 victory for the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team.
