Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 11th March 2023.
On Monday 6th March, the Meadowbank Stadium 4G pitch in Magherafelt was the venue when the Ulster Youths’ team played Dalriada School.
The Ulster Youth team players were worthy 24-7 winners and scored four tries in the process. William John Bradley, James Beattie, Scott Harrower and Tom McGilloway scored the tries with James Orr adding two conversions.
Gabriel Stubbs-Carton scored the Dalriada School points.
Prior to the game, the Ulster Youth U17 team played Dalriada School 2ndxv in a game the Dalriada School team won by 19-0.
Five more of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ competition finals took place during the week beginning Monday 6th March.
On Tuesday 7th March the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Final took place at the Kingspan Stadium when Ballymena Academy played Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Final proved to be a very closely contested game which the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team won by 10-7.
Following the game, Sir Nigel Hamilton, representing the Ulster Branch, presented to Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield medals to all the players and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield to Ross Dillon, captain of the victorious Royal Belfast Academical Institution team.
On the same afternoon Friends’ School, Lisburn was the venue when Royal School, Dungannon met Methodist College, Belfast in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate.
The game was played on an excellent surface and the Royal School, Dungannon team made the Methodist College, Belfast team work hard for their 22-5 victory.
Following the game, David Napier, representing the Ulster Branch, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate medals to the players from both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate to Louis Curran, captain of the victorious Methodist College, Belfast team.
On Wednesday 8th March Queen’s University RFC at The Dub was the venue for the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Final when Royal School, Armagh played Down High School.
The Royal School, Armagh team won the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield having come away from this game with a convincing 43-19 victory.
The Royal School, Armagh team scored seven tries through Matthew Maguire, James Anderson, Kristoffer Mackenzie, who touched down for a brace, the impressive Sam Montgomery, whose accuracy with his lineout throwing was an important factor for the Armagh team, Nili Tuipulotu and Josh Watterson. Josh was also successful with four of his conversion kicks.
Despite being 19-0 down at the interval, the Down High School team hit a purple patch shortly after the restart. They got some reward for their commitment throughout the game when Fionn Carey, Rhodri Philips and Matthew Foster each scored a try. Rhodri was also successful with two of his conversion kicks.
Following the game, Evan Morton, representing the Ulster Branch, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield medals to all the players involved and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield to James Anderson, captain of the victorious Royal School, Armagh team.
Meanwhile at the Barban Hill venue in Dromore, Banbridge Academy played Friends’ School, Lisburn in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl.
The Banbridge Academy team won the game by 31-15 and scored five tries in the process.
Jonny McCrum, Noah Myles, Tom King, Thomas Williamson and Ryan Matthews scored the Banbridge Academy tries with Andrew Jackson adding three successful conversions.
The Friends’ School, Lisburn points came from a Paddy Moore penalty, an unconverted try from Joel Barron and a try from Ethan Mehaffey, which was converted by Paddy Moore.
Following the game, Sam Grattan, representing the Ulster Branch, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl medals to all the players involved and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl to Ryan Matthews, captain of the victorious Banbridge Academy team.
At the JC Picken Playing Fields at Roughfort, Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv played Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup final was won 26-14 by the Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv.
Following the game, Paula Magill/Stewart, representing the Ulster Branch, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup medals to all the players involved and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup to Charlie Gray, captain of the victorious Royal Belfast Academical Institution team.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Committee would like to thank Wallace High School, Friends’ School, Lisburn, Queen’s University Rugby Football Club, Dromore Rugby Football Club and Belfast Royal Academy, as well as all the school staff and ground staff involved, for the provision of facilities and hosting these games on such excellent pitches.
