Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 15th March 2014.
There were games played in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup, the Danske Bank 3rdxv Cup, the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield in the course of the week beginning 10th March.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl final, which was played at Grosvenor Grammar School, Belfast High School put on a spirited performance despite losing by 37-7 against the Bangor Grammar School Medallion. CLICK HERE for shots
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Following the game, Mr Ian Graham, Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee, presented the medals to both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl to the Bangor Grammar School team. Mr Graham congratulated both teams on their performances in the game, thanked the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship of Ulster Schools’ Rugby and thanked My Robin McLoughlin, Principal of Grosvenor Grammar School, and Mr Kyle McCallen, Director of Sport at Grosvenor Grammar School, for the use of the excellent facilities at Grosvenor and hosting the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl final.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup, Ballymena Academy defeated Banbridge Academy by 34-5. In the same competition, Belfast High School lost by 53-3 against Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
The draws for the semi-final stages of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup and Plate competitions took place at Campbell College. The results of the draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ND XV Cup 2013/2014 SEMI-Final DRAW
1. WALLACE HS or METHODIST COLLEGE vs ROYAL BELFAST ACADEMICAL INST.
2. BALLYMENA ACADEMY vs CAMPBELL COLLEGE
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Plate 2013/2014 SEMI-FINAL DRAW
1. OMAGH ACADEMY vs FOYLE COLL/CARRICK GS/CAMBRIDGE HSE
2. LIMAVADY GS or COLERAINE AI vs DOWN HS/DALRIADA/GROSVENOR
Matches to be played as soon as conveniently possible and results sent to Mr John McKinney at Campbell College.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield final was played at the Queen’s University arena on Tuesday 11th March. CLICK HERE for shots
The match, featuring Ballymena Academy and Royal Belfast Academical Insitution teams was played in excellent conditions in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters. The Belfast Inst team won the closely contested final by 12-10 but the Ballymena Academy team contributed a great deal to an exciting final.
Tries for the Belfast Inst backrow forward, Charlie Cloke, and team captain, Michael Lowry, saw the Belfast school edge home in an entertaining affair. RBAI’s ball retention was of the highest order and that ensured they dominated possession and territory early on. However, on a rare Ballymena Academy attack, slick play by the backline sent left wing Tiernan Martin, over the whitewash. Inside centre Conor Agnew was unable to convert from the touchline but his side held a 0-5 advantage, slightly against the run of play. The Belfast Inst team continued to build phases, with Michael Lowry to the fore. They were duly rewarded when Charlie Cloke charged over for a try. James Hume – who impressed in the opening exchanges – pushed his kick to the right of the posts so the score was 5-5 after 20 minutes. The Belfast school continued to push for another score before the break but the Ballymena defence held firm.
The crucial score of the game came ten minutes into the second half when Michael Lowry sliced his way through the Ballymena Academy defence to touch down for a try. Sam Fryers added the extras to see his team into a 12-5 lead. In the perfect conditions both teams moved the ball around to good effect at every opportunity. Ballymena Academy scored a late consolation try through Andrew Agnew but it was a case of “too little too late” as the conversion kick was unsuccessful. This ensured it was Michael Lowry, captain of the Royal Belfast Academical institution team, who received the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield from Mr John Robinson, President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, at the end of the game.
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In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup replay, Belfast Royal Academy travelled to Coleraine Academical Institution and came away with 26-20 victory.
In the Danske Bank 3rdxv Plate competition Banbridge Academy and Ballyclare High School played out a 17-17 draw while Royal School, Armagh lost out to Ballymena Academy by 5-0.
Foyle and Londonderry College hosted a school team from British Columbia and won the game by 29-7. The Foyle and Londonderry College 2ndxv defeated their Canadian counterparts by 55-5.
Friends’ School, Lisburn hosted a Primary Schools’ Mini Rugby Festival with teams from ten local Primary Schools taking part.
The emphasis was totally on fun and participation with the players from all the school displaying great skills and determination. In Group 1 Friends’ Prep, Pond Park PS, Fairhill PS, Dromore Central PS and Anahilt PS all played each other while in Group 2 Downshire PS, Maghaberry PS, Riverdale PS, Wallace Prep and Ballymacash PS all played rugby to a very high standard.
Meanwhile, the Friends’ School Year 8 team travelled for a fun weekend of games and outdoor education to the North West of the Province.
The players were based at the Carrowmena Activity Centre where they all enjoyed a range of outdoor educational experiences including zip lining, leap of faith and team building games. Matches were played against Year 8 teams from Limavady Grammar School and Coleraine Academical Institution. The Friends’ School teams won all four games with stellar performances from players such as James Humphries, Jack Harte, Jack Netherton, Rhys Malone, Sam Le Selleur and the very talented Rory Brown. Rory’s clever use of the ball and deft footwork impressed spectators and opposition players alike in the course of all his games.
A Carrickfergus Grammar School U17 team travelled to play the Regent House U17 team in Newtownards on Saturday 15th.
The Carrickfergus GS team had built up a 26-0 lead before the Regent House team staged something of a comeback towards the end of the game. However, Carrickfergus Grammar School managed to hold out and came away with a 26-17 victory. The game was played over the course of three twenty minute periods in very windy conditions. Regent had a lot of possession in the early stages of the game but it was the Carrickfergus team that opened the scoring through Christian Robinson who outpaced a number of Regent House defenders before touching down under the posts. David Carse added the extras to put his team into a 7-0 lead. Regent House continued to attack but a midfield error was picked up by Christian Robinson who ran in for his second try of the game. David Carse converted the try to put the Carrickfergus team into a 14-0 lead. Back came the Regent House team but the Carrickfergus GS break away trio of Tom Gilpin, David Stewart and Adam Urquhart kept the visitors line intact with some strong tackling and clever work at the breakdown. This good work provided Fionn McCormack with the opportunity to run in for a try which David Carse converted to put the Carrickfergus GS team into a 21-0 lead. This soon became 26-0 when replacement centre, Daniel Anaele, beat the Regent House cover defence to run in for an unconverted try. The Regent House team then took advantage of some Carrickfergus GS complacency and ran in three quick tries, one of which was converted, to leave the final score reading 26-17 in favour of the Carrickfergus Grammar School team.
There are three Danske Bank Ulster School Finals scheduled for the week beginning Monday 17th March.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final will take place at Ravenhill on Monday 17th March. Methodist College will play Sullivan Upper School in the final which will kick off at 3-00pm.
The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Final will take place at the Shaw’s Bridge Sports Complex on Wednesday 19th March. Ballymena Academy will play Dalriada School in this game which will kick off at 2-30pm.
The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate will take place at the Belfast Royal Academy playing fields at Roughfort on Thursday 20th March. Coleraine Academical Institution will play Banbridge Academy in this final which is scheduled to kick off at 2-30pm.
