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Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 3rd February 2018.
There was one Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl quarter-final game played on Tuesday 30th January when Banbridge Academy played Cambridge House in a game the Banbridge Academy team won by 17-0.
On Wednesday 31st there were two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate games played. Banbridge Academy hosted Portadown College in a game the Portadown College team won by 18-3. Coleraine Grammar School hosted Bangor Grammar School in another Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate game that finished as a 0-0 draw. The replay will be scheduled for early next week.
The draws for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup and Plate competitions were made early in the week.
The results of the draws were as follows:-)
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup semi-finals
Methodist College, Belfast v Campbell College, Belfast
Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Wallace High School/Ballymena Academy
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate semi-finals
Omagh Academy v Coleraine Grammar School/Bangor Grammar School
Friends’ School, Lisburn v Portadown College
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup Belfast Royal Academy 3rdxv played the Royal Belfast Academical Institution Colts xv in a game the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team won by 45-0. Down High School 3rdxv played Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv in a game the Methodist College team won by 62-7. Enniskillen Royal Grammar School 3rdxv were scheduled to play Methodist College 5thxv but the game was postponed due to lack of pitch availability.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate Lurgan College hosted Carndonagh Community College. The Carndonagh Community College team won the game by 36-7.
On Saturday 3rd February there were eight Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round, four Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl quarter-final and two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy semi-final games played. There was also a delayed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy quarter-final game played as well as one Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy semi-final game.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School played Ballymena Academy in a game the Ballymena Academy team went on to win by 28-10. The game was played on very difficult underfoot conditions which somewhat inhibited the attacking instincts of both teams. Reece Smyton converted an early penalty for the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team to give them a 3-0 lead. The Ballymena Academy team them came back taking good advantage of some very useful game management skills from Bruce Houston. Good tactical awareness from Bruce gave his team field positions from which they launched two fine attacks. The first finished with a try from Johnny Brown, which Bruce Houston converted, to give the Ballymena Academy team a 7-3 lead. The second, following multiple phases of play, finished with a try from Josh McAuley, again converted by Bruce Houston, to give the Ballymena Academy team a 14-3 at the interval.
Ballymena started off the second half where they left off in the first! Stewart Moore made a telling break which was finished off when Patrick Hargy powered over for a try. Bruce Houston added the extras to increase the Ballymena Academy lead to 21-3. The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team then had a purple patch which resulted in a Jack Rutledge try. Reece Smyton converted the try to reduce the deficit to 21-10. The Ballymena team then finished off strongly and Stewart Moore completed a fine personal performance with a try. Bruce Houston added the conversion to secure the 28-10 win for the Ballymena Academy team.
Bangor Grammar School started the game strongly against the Rainey Endowed School team but could find no way through a resolute defence. Injuries to a couple of players early in the game found the Rainey Endowed team taking time to re-adjust to these setbacks. However, once they got themselves organaised the Rainey team became very effective with the ball in hand. They took the game to Bangor and, following a series of phase plays, the Rainey team forced the Bangor Grammar School defence into conceding a penalty. Harry Evans stepped up to coolly converted the resultant kick to give his team a 3-0 lead. Neither team really held the upper hand for the remainder of the first half and the teams turned around at the break with the Rainey Endowed School team holding on to their 3-0 lead.
The second half saw the Bangor Grammar School team enjoy long periods of both possession and territory. Daniel Young scored a try under the Rainey Endowed School posts, which Rhys Larmour converted, to give the Bangor GS team a 7-3 lead. Rainey then forced the Bangor team deep into their half. Good play from Jack Bresland almost presented Bryn Davies with an opportunity for a score. However, last ditch defence from the home team ensured their line remained intact. This gave the Bangor Grammar School team the confidence they required to mount one last attack. Aaron Sexton, playing at outhalf combined with Zach Kerr to put Conor Lusty in for an unconverted try in the corner. This try secured the 12-3 victory for the Bangor Grammar School team.
A large crowd had gathered at the WK Armstrong pitch in Dungannon to watch the Royal School, Dungannon v Wallace High School Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game. Included in the crowd were Ulster Rugby players, Peter Nelson as well as Kyle and Zach McCall who were in attendance lending support to their respective Alma Maters! The Royal School, Dungannon team came out of the blocks quickly with their impressive centre, David Maxwell, outwitting the Wallace High School defence before putting Luke McMullan away to touch down for an unconverted try to give the home team a 5-0 lead. The Wallace High School team then began to put their mark on the game. They pressurised the Royal School, Dungannon team into conceding a number of penalties and Nathan Doak, playing impressively at outhalf, stepped up to convert three of these to give the Wallace High School team a 9-5 lead at the break.
The Wallace High School team then really started to dominate proceedings in the second half. They ran in four tries with Ben Carson touching down twice and Jamie McNeight and Nathan Robinson running in for one try each. Nathan Doak added three conversions, as well as one penalty, to secure the 38-5 win for the Wallace High School team.
Campbell College, Belfast recorded a 50-0 win against a very spirited Dalriada School team. Despite a slow start to the game the Campbell College team had built up a 10-0 lead by the interval through a penalty from Conor Rankin and a try from Oisin Kiernan which was converted by Conor Rankin.
Campbell came out much more determined in the second half. They scored quick tries through Oisin Kiernan, John Harrison, Dara Gaskin and Oscar Yandall. Conor Rankin converted all four tries to give his team a 38-0 lead. Two tries from replacement player, Kieran Robertson, one of which was converted by Conor Rankin, secured the 50-0 win for the Campbell College, Belfast team.
Cambridge House Grammar School hosted the Royal School, Armagh team in a game the Armagh team, having built up a 38-0 lead by the interval, went on to win by 45-0. The Armagh points came through tries from their captain, Jack Treanor, who scored twice, Benji Boyd, Matthew Reaney, Jack Chapman, Charlie Worth and Jonny Agnew. Zac Thompson was successful with five conversions.
Sullivan Upper School defeated Down High School by 20-13 in a closely contested Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 4th Round Cup match. The Down High School team opened the scoring when, following a Greg Hutley kick to the corner from open play to the corner; the Down High School team stole the resultant lineout. Aaron Haslett gathered the ball and barged his way over the Sullivan Upper line. Greg Hutley added the conversion to see the visitors into a 7-0 lead. Sullivan responded with a hard earned try from Ben Holley, which Conor McKee converted, to draws the scores level at 7-7. Greg Hutley then converted a penalty opportunity to give the Down High School team a 10-7 lead. Back came the Sullivan Upper team with a Conor McKee penalty to leave the scoreboard reading 10-10 at halftime.
Conor McKee struck another penalty early in the second half to give the Sullivan Upper team a 13-10 lead. This became 20-10 when Andy McConnell ran in for a try off a set piece. Conor McKee added the conversion. Down High School responded with another Greg Hutley penalty to leave the Sullivan Upper team as 20-13 winners at the no-side whistle.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution defeated Ballyclare High School by 17-0 at the end of a very closely fought Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round encounter. It took a very big defensive effort from the Belfast Inst team before they were ina position to secure their victory. The first score of the game came in the 25th minute when Robin McIlveen pushed into the wide channels. A clever kick ahead saw Robin McIlveen win the race for the touchdown. Robin added the conversion to give the Belfast Inst team a 7-0 lead. This laed was held by the home team until the break.
The second half saw the Ballyclare High School team start well. They mounted a series of attacks which were kept at bay by a very well-disciplined Belfast Inst defence. Midway through the second half the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team broke out of defence. Following a series of good carries from their forwards, David McCann touched down for a try. Robin McIlveen added the conversion to see his team into a 14-0 lead. A Robin McIlveen penalty then secured the 17-0 win for the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team.
Coleraine Grammar School played Methodist College, Belfast in a game the Methodist College team won comfortably by 38-3. The Methodist College, Belfast team with Conor Kelly playing in the backrow, scored six tries in the course of the game. Conor Scollan scored two tries with Conor Kelly, Kevin McNaboe, Matthew Neill and Chris Larmour each running in for one try. Ethan McIlroy was successful with four conversions.
Pierce Crowe kicked a consolation penalty for the Coleraine Grammar School team.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl quarter-finals Friends’ School, Lisburn played Dromore High School in a game that went to the wire before the Friends’ School side emerged as 24-22 winners. Ben McCaughey scored an unconverted try early in the game to give the Friends’ School team a 5-0 lead. Dromore High School responded with an unconverted try from Tom Dologhan to draw the scores level at 5-5. A Ben McCaughey penalty gave the Friends’ School team an 8-5 lead midway through the first half. The Dromore High team responded with an unconverted try from Aaron Lyttle to take a 10-8 lead coming up to halftime. On the stroke of halftime Ben McCaughey converted a penalty opportunity to see the Friends’ School team into an 11-10 lead at the break.
An unconverted try from Ben McCaughey, followed by a penalty,then increased the Friends’ School lead to 19-10. Dromore responded with a try from Dean Dillon, which Ben Heath converted, to reduce their arrears to 19-17. Ryan Stewart then touched down for an unconverted try for the home team to increase their lead to 24-17. With the last play of the game Tom Dologhan ran in for a try in front of the posts. The conversion attempt his the upright, before going out of play, to ensure the Friends’ School, Lisburn team emerged as narrow 24-22 winners at the end of the game.
The Omagh Academy v Regent House School game was postponed due to unplayable pitches in Omagh. The game has been re-scheduled to take place on Tuesday 6th February.
Portadown College recorded a 17-12 win over Grosvenor Grammar School when the teams met at the Killicomaine Road venue. The Portadown team dominated proceedings for long periods of the first half with Dylan Nelson causing all sorts of problems for the Grosvenor High School defence Tries from Scott McDowell, Daniel Moorcroft, following an assist from Dylan Nelson, and Matthew Neill, again following an assist from Dylan Nelson, with one conversion from Adam Speers, secured the seventeen points for the Portadown College team.
The second half saw the Grosvenor Grammar School team mount something of a comeback. Jos McConkey and Josh Malcolm each scored a try, one of which was converted by Jos McConkey. This ensured the game finished with the Portadown College team as 17-12 winners.
Belfast Royal Academy had to work hard before securing an 18-12 win against a very committed Lurgan College team. The Belfast Royal Academy points came through tries from Adam Keed and Rob Sturgess to which Harry Warke added two penalties as well as one conversion.
The Lurgan College points came through tries from Reuben McCreery and Ewan Mulligan and one conversion from Jack Maxwell.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy semi-finals Banbridge Academy played Foyle and Londonderry College and won the game by 24-12. With the Banbridge team dominating proceedings from early in the game Banbridge Academy opened their account when Alex Shannon scored a try, which Tom Flanagan converted, to take a 7-0 lead with just nine minutes on the clock. This became 14-0, close to the break, when Stuart Totten touched down for a try. Once again Tom Flanagan added the extras.
Tom Flanagan then added a penalty in the opening stages of the second half to see his Banbridge team into a 17-0 lead. Andrew Elliott, Adam Hanna and Timmy Beattie had impressed with their performances during the game. They were all involved in the build up to a try from Chris Patterson, which Tom Flanagan converted, to give the Banbridge Academy team a 24-0 lead. The Foyle College team then got some reward for their endeavours when Andy Miller and Keelin Coyle scored tries, one of which was converted by Keelin. This ensured the Banbridge Academy team won the game by 24-12.
Belfast High School played Limavady Grammar School in a game the Belfast High School team won by 7-3. All the points were scored in the first half with Ryan Gibson scoring a try for the Belfast High School team and the conversion came from Brandon McMinn.
The Limavady Grammar School points came through a penalty from a Jamie Young penalty.
The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy will take place on Wednesday 21st February. The venue is to be confirmed.
When the results of The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and Bowl were known the draws for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and Subsidiary Shield quarter-finals and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl semi-finals were made.
The draws were organised by Barry Willis, Domestic Manager (Acting) of Ulster Rugby, assisted by Richard Clingan, Hon Sec, Ulster Schools’ Committee. The draws were conducted by Dr David Barnett, Principal, Royal School, Dungannon, and Irwin Lapsley, representative of the Danske Bank, sponsors of the Ulster Schools’ Cup. Ian Latham, Wallace High School, assisted with the draw for the quarter-finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield.
The results of the draws were as follows:-)
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-finals
1/Campbell College, Belfast v Ballymena Academy
2/Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Sullivan Upper School
3/Wallace High School v Royal School, Armagh
4/Methodist College, Belfast v Bangor Grammar School
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield quarter-finals
1/Coleraine Grammar School v Cambridge House Grammar School
2/Ballyclare High School v Rainey Endowed School
3/Down High School v Royal School, Dungannon
4/Dalriada School v Enniskillen Royal Grammar school
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl semi-finals
1/Friends’ School, Lisburn v Portadown College
2/Omagh Academy/Regent House School v Belfast Royal Academy
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Subsidiary Shield and Bowl games are scheduled to be played on/before Saturday 17th February.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy quarter-final Carrickfergus Grammar School hosted Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock. The Carrickfergus Grammar School team had to work hard against a very committed Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock team before recording a 22-0 victory.
In the same competition Larne Grammar School played Portadown College in the first of the semi-final games. The Larne Grammar School team won the game by 12-10.
There was one friendly game played when Carrickfergus Grammar School travelled to Portugal for a training camp which finished with a game against the local Loule RFC U18 team. The game finished with a convincing 51-12 win for the Carrickfergus Grammar School team. Lewis Stranaghan and Jack Leathem each scored two tries in the course of the game with Jackson Smyth, Tiernan McGreevy, David Doherty and Daniel Curley touching down for one try apiece. Daniel was also successful with three conversion kicks.
