Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 11th February 2023.
On Tuesday 7th February Antrim Grammar School played Limavady Grammar School in the only delayed game in the 1/2 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl.
The Antrim Grammar School team won the game by 20-19-securing their victory with the last play of the game.
The winners will now play Coleraine Grammar School in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl. This game will take place on the excellent new facilities at Foyle and Londonderry College on Tuesday 21st February.
On Wednesday 8th February Wallace High School played Royal School, Armagh in the 1/2 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate and won the game by 13-5.
Meanwhile, Belfast Royal Academy 3rdxv played Regent House School 3rdxv in the second 1/2 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate. The Belfast Royal Academy team won that game by 43-17.
On the same afternoon Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv was scheduled to have played Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv in the 1/2 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup. However, the Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv team was unable to fulfil the fixture on that afternoon.
At Osborne Park Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv played Ballymena Academy 3rdxv in the second 1/2 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup. The Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv won the game by 40-0.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv will now have to await the outcome of the Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv against Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv semi-final game to establish who they will eventually play in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup.
On Thursday 9th February Strabane Academy played Bangor Academy in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy.
The Bangor Academy team won the game by 25-7 and will now progress to the draw for the 1/2 Final stage of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy.
Felix Foley scored the Strabane Academy try which was converted by Josh Toland.
The Bangor Academy team scored three tries through Corey Alexander, Harry Grant and Jonah Topping. Jonah converted two of the tries as well as one penalty. The remaining Bangor Academy points came from a James Montgomery penalty.
On Friday 10th February Omagh Academy played Dalriada School in the first of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Final games.
The game, which the Omagh Academy team won by 25-18, was played on an excellent surface at the Campsie playing fields in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters representing both schools.
The Omagh Academy team took an early 5-0 lead when Joshua Robinson ran in for an unconverted try. The Dalriada School team responded with a penalty from Gabriel Stubbs-Carton to reduce their arrears to 5-3. An Andrew Johnston penalty extended the Omagh Academy lead to 8-3 with the Dalriada team almost immediately drawing things level at 8-8 following an unconverted try from Zach McIlhagga. Just before the interval the Omagh Academy team turned the ball over and went on the counter attack. A series of clever interplays, involving both forwards and backs, was finished off when Sam Beattie ran in for an unconverted try to see the Omagh Academy team into a 13-8 lead at the break.
The Omagh Academy team started the second half strongly. A great break from “Man of the Match”, Jamie Mitchell, was finished off by Conrad Hale with a try. Andrew Johnston added the conversion to see the Omagh Academy team into a 20-8 lead. Ben Henry then outpaced the Dalriada defence to touch down for an unconverted try to see the Omagh team into a comfortable 25-8 lead. The Dalriada School team then took advantage of complacency within the Omagh Academy ranks. A Matthew Keers try, converted by Paddy Cramsie, and a Paddy Cramsie penalty, saw the deficit reduced to 25-18 going into the final few minutes of the game. The Dalriada School team laid siege to the Omagh Academy line. However, the Omagh defence remained intact and they saw the game through to the final whistle having recorded a 25-18 victory.
On Saturday 11th February four Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, four Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield, three Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl and three Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Final games took place.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Royal Belfast Academical Institution played Dromore High School.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team recorded a 40-0 victory with tries from Flynn Morrow, Bryn Ward, Blake McClean, James Hilman, Josh Gibson and Josh Eagleson. Josh Eagleson completed a “Man of the Match” performance with five successful conversion kicks.
Royal School, Dungannon entertained the current holders of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Methodist College, Belfast, in a game the Methodist College team won by 38-7.
Jacob Clarke scored a converted try for the Royal School, Dungannon team. The Methodist College, Belfast team scored six tries in the course of the game.
Ben McFarlane, on his return from injury, had a major influence on the game. He scored one try as well as adding three conversions. Oliver Berry scored two tries with Josh McAdam, Harry Palmer and Jamie Thompson each scoring one try. David Armstrong added one conversion.
Sullivan Upper School played their near neighbours, and close rivals, Campbell College, Belfast in a game from which the Campbell College team emerged as 36-20 winners.
The Sullivan Upper School points came through four unconverted tries from Nathan Noble, who scored a brace, Ryan Drain and Tom Muldrew.
Jake Daley, Matt Booth, Cameron Faith, Joe Jeffrey, Sam Boomer and Matt Rae scored the Campbell College tries to which Matt Rae added three conversions.
Wallace High School hosted Coleraine Grammar School and won the game by 25-17.
The Wallace High School points came through tries from Matthew Crowe, Charlie Beattie and Ben Moore. Charlie capped a fine performance with two conversions as well as two penalties.
Jacob Clements and Cian McCullagh scored the Coleraine Grammar School tries with Jordan McAuley adding two conversions as well as one penalty.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Ballymena Academy played Ballyclare High School and won the game by 37-13.
Tom McMaster, Conor Drain, Daniel Vercoe-Rogers and Stevie Bristow scored the Ballymena Academy tries. Tristan Ferguson and Robbie Coleman each added two conversions with Tristan also successful with three penalties.
The Ballyclare High School team points came through two Joel Flynn penalties, one Tom McAllister try and one conversion from Harry Duff.
Belfast Royal Academy played Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and recorded a 19-5 victory.
Matthew McLaughlin, Frank Davis and Scott Baxter scored the Belfast Royal Academy tries with Ryan O’Hara adding two conversions.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School scored one unconverted try through James Trotter.
Down High School hosted Limavady Grammar School and won the game by 31-11.
Ryan Connolly, Fionn Carey, James Jackson and Scott Mitchell scored the Down High School tries with Rhodri Philips adding all four conversions as well as one penalty.
The Limavady Grammar School team scored one try through Harry McDonald with Benjamin Howe adding two penalties.
Foyle and Londonderry College played Royal School, Armagh in a game the Royal School, Armagh team won by 31-10.
James McKillop and Adam Killeen each scored an unconverted try for the Foyle College team.
The Royal School, Armagh team scored five tries through Sam Anderson, who touched down for two, Matthew Maguire, James Anderson and Kristoffer Mackenzie. Josh Watterson was successful with three of his conversions.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Bangor Grammar School played Banbridge Academy in a very close encounter the Banbridge Academy team won by 15-14.
The Bangor Grammar School team scored two tries in the first half through Noah Courtney-Gardner and Jack Mason. Alex Shaw added the conversions to both tries.
Banbridge Academy scored all their points in the second half of the game. Andrew Jackson converted a penalty opportunity just after the restart to reduce the arrears to 14-3. “Man of the Match”, Dan Hutchinson, then created try scoring opportunities for Conor Magee, whose try was converted by Andrew Jackson, and Elijah Dempsey, whose unconverted try, two minutes from time, secured the 15-14 win for the Banbridge Academy team.
Grosvenor Grammar School hosted Friends’ School, Lisburn in a game the Friends’ School team won by 26-18.
The Grosvenor Grammar School team started the game strongly and scored their points through tries from Adam Lowey and Shea Taggart. Ross Millar was successful with one conversion as well as two penalties.
The Friends’ School, Lisburn regrouped at half time and took the game to the Grosvenor Grammar School team. Their pack, with Ruairi Doyle and Angus and Finlay Crawford to the fore, dominated the second half. Tom Rowlatt-McCormick, Ethan Mehaffey, Ethan Salt and Alexander McKinley each scored a try with Paddy Moore adding three successful conversions.
Regent House School played Rainey Endowed School and it was the Rainey Endowed School that came away with a hard earned 15-10 victory.
Nathan Bell and Reuben O’Rorke each scored an unconverted try for the Regent House School team.
The Rainey Endowed School team scored two tries through Jack McCavana and Rossa Bell. Owen O’Kane was successful with one conversion as well as one penalty.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Antrim Grammar School hosted Cambridge House Grammar School and, following a very tense game, emerged as 22-9 winners.
The Cambridge House Grammar School team scored three tries through Kailen McGarrell and Jacob Oliver, who touched down for two. Dan Chestnutt added two conversions as well as one drop goal.
The Antrim Grammar School team, for whom Eoin Byrne, Jack McNeilly, Josh Harvey and Caleb McClean all impressed, scored their points through Matthew Adair who kicked three penalties.
Lurgan College played Larne Grammar School in a game that finished as a 17-17 draw.
Lurgan College scored three tries through Denis Lastik, Harry Norton and Callum Marsden. Peter Bird added one conversion.
The Larne Grammar School team score two tries through Charlie Patterson and Reece Renwick. Ethan Duncan converted both tries as well as one penalty.
Portadown College entertained Belfast High School in an exciting game that finished with the scoreboard reading Portadown College 41 Belfast High School 33.
The Portadown College team had built up a 36-7 lead by the break and had to withstand a great fight back by the Belfast High School team in the second half.
Mike Flack was the “Man of the Match “for the Portadown College team with four tries to his name. Tyler Jackson, Nathan Thornton and Josh Herron scored the other Portadown College tries. John Speers added the conversions to three of the Portadown College tries.
The Belfast High School team scored five tries with Adam Bennett and Alex Montgomery each touching down for two tries. Matthew Adrian ran in for their fifth try. Alex Montgomery added three conversions with Adam Montgomery adding a fourth conversion.
Once the results of all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Subsidiary Shield, Bowl and Trophy 1/4 Final games came through the draws for the semi-finals of all the competitions were made.
The draws were organised by Richard Clingan, Chairman of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Committee. The draws were made by Dr David Burnett, Principal of Royal School, Dungannon, Mrs Jenny Lendrum, Principal of Methodist College, Belfast and Mr Paudin Loughran, representing the Danske Bank.
The results of the draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/2 Finals.
1/Methodist College, Belfast v Campbell College, Belfast
2/Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Wallace High School
The first of these semi-finals will be played at the Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday 28th February at 2-30pm.
The second of these 1/2 Finals will be played at the Kingspan Stadium on Wednesday 1st March at 2-30pm.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield 1/2 Finals
1/Royal School, Armagh v Ballymena Academy
2/Down High School v Belfast Royal Academy
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield 1/2 Finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 25th February.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/2 Finals
1/Banbridge Academy v Omagh Academy
2/Friends’ School, Lisburn v Rainey Endowed School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/2 Finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 25th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/2 Finals
1/Portadown College v Lurgan College/Larne Grammar School
2/Cambridge House Grammar School v Bangor Academy
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/2 Finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 25th February.
