There were three midweek games played in the lead up to a full list of fixtures on Saturday 12th January.
Wallace High School played an experimental team against Cistercian College, Roscrea, in a floodlit game at Lisburn Rugby Club. The Wallace High School team lost the game against the Leinster Schools’ League Champions. Both teams were grateful to Lisburn Rugby Club for hosting the game.
Coleraine Academical Institution played their near neighbours, Dalriada, in a floodlit fixture at Coleraine Rugby Club.
The Coleraine AI team won the game by 6-0. It was the strength of the Coleraine AI pack at the breakdown which created a number of opportunities for their backs to attack with the ball in hand. However, poor decision making, allied to a number of handling errors, ensured the Dalriada line remained intact. Cameron Fulton converted two penalty opportunities for the Coleraine AI team and came close on two other occasions. The Coleraine team was delighted to win the game and had good performances from players such as Conor Shiels, Oliver McDowell and Mark Gordon.
Ballymena Academy recorded a narrow 12-7 against Sullivan Upper in a midweek game played at the Galgorm Road venue.
The Sullivan Upper team had just returned from a New Year training camp in Portugal. Following several missed penalty attempts, Ballymena were first to score a try when Duncan Maguire powered over from close range. The conversion was unsuccessful but his team had a 5-0 lead. The home team maintained this lead until the interval.
Early in the second half Sullivan replied with a try of their own when their wing was on hand to touch down following a good break from out half, Mark Adair. Mark was successful with the conversion to put Sullivan into a 7-5 lead. The remainder of the second half was littered with penalties with both teams ill-disciplined at the break down. As a result, neither side established dominance of territory or possession. It looked as if the away team was going to hold on for a victory. However, in the final minute of the game, following a sustained period of pressure on the Sullivan line, Oliver Simpson took advantage of a defensive lapse and blasted over the line for a try. The try was converted by Thomas Gaston to leave the final score reading 12-7 to Ballymena Academy.
There was one Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Round 2 game played midweek. Grosvenor Grammar School defeated Dalriada School by 14-12.
There were six Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 2 games played on Saturday 12th January.
Royal School, Dungannon hosted Wellington College and emerged from a tough encounter as 16-8 winners.
The Wellington College team dominated the exchanges for most of the first half, a first half that was riddled by errors from both teams.. Wellington College 2nd Row, Peter Shaw, took advantage of good work from his pack following a lineout, stormed over the Dungannon line for the first points of the game after just seven minutes of the game. The conversion was unsuccessful but the Wellington team had a 5-0 lead. The Rs Dungannon team recovered from this early setback and took play deep into Wellington College territory. Good Wellington defence ensured their line stayed intact but the home side did manage to get points on the board when Jack Milligan converted a penalty opportunity to reduce the arrears to 5-3. Back came the Wellington College team with their back row dominating proceedings at the breakdown. Their cause was helped by the referee sending a Dungannon player to the sin-bin for side entry at a ruck. Michael Hamilton converted a penalty kick for the Wellington College team after twenty three minutes play. This gave the Wellington team an 8-3 lead. On the stroke of half-time Jack Milligan converted his second penalty of the game to leave the Wellington College team 8-6 ahead at the interval.
A few well-chosen words of advice from the RS Dungannon coach, Keith Patton, at half time saw the Dungannon team lift their performance in the second half. Jack Milligan kicked another penalty ten minutes into the second half to put his team into a 9-8 lead. This was followed by a try from the RS Dungannon captain, Jacob McCammon, who finally got the touch down after four or five close attempts from his fellow forwards. Man of the Match, Jack Milligan, converted the try to put his team into a 16-8 lead. Both teams had further opportunities to score points but the respective defences held firm. RS Dungannon brought on a number of replacement players and the fresh legs ensured there was to be no way back for a tiring Wellington College team. On the final whistle it was the RS Dungannon team that celebrated their hard earned 16-8 victory in the 2nd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Belfast High School recorded an impressive 52-18 win against Banbridge Academy in their 2nd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup encounter.
However, it was the Banbridge Academy team that played most of the rugby in the opening exchanges. The Belfast High School team took a 5-0 lead from the kick off when Jordan Garford and Joel McBride combined to put Jordan in for an unconverted try. The Banbridge Academy team was not fazed by this early setback. Their pack, with Calum Boardman, Tom Carlisle and Rory Carson to the fore took the game to their Belfast High School counterparts. Aaron Kennedy was successful with two penalty chances to take a 6-5 lead after eighteen minutes. The Banbridge Academy team then increased their lead when Rory Thompson intercepted a pass inside the Belfast High School 22m area to run in under the posts for a try. Aaron Kennedy added the conversion to see his team into a 13-5 lead. Belfast HS had to be the next team to score otherwise it could have been them on the losing end and they did, again through Jordan Garford. The conversion was good from Robbie Reid to reduce the arrears to 13-12. Belfast HS now really started to take control and Joel McBride was managing the game with great confidence. Joel made the break that presented Adam White with a try which he took well. Robbie Reid added the extras to see the Belfast High School team into a 19-13 lead. Belfast HS backs looked dangerous every time they got the ball. Jordan Garford added another couple of unanswered tries to see his team into a 33-13 lead. CLICK HERE for Action Shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Banbridge Academy got the second of their intercept tries midway through the second half through Nathan McKinley. The try was unconverted and the score was now 33-18 in favour of the home team. The main threat from Banbridge was definitely from their forwards with Calum Boardman and David McKeown (Capt) having strong games with their pick and drive tactics. Lewis Benson had a very strong game at second row for Belfast HS displaying outstanding skills in the linesout. The game finished with Belfast High School scoring three unanswered tries. The first came from Jordan Garford through his usual strong running, the second from Scott Shaw after great work from Joel McBride throwing a miss pass and Scott running in from 30 metres out with the third coming when Lewis Benson drove over from a lineout to touch down, Robbie Reid added two conversions to take the final score to 52-18 in favour of the Belfast High School team.
Foyle and Londonderry College hosted a Portora Royal team they had played twice already this season.
The results from those games stood at one each so this one was sure to be a close encounter. So it turned out to be with the Foyle team winning the game by 31-24. Foyle College started the match strongly and dominated the first half. Foyle opened the scoring through their winger David Lapsley. This try was converted by Ulster Under19 player Neil Burns to give the Foyle College team a 7-0 lead. A short time later Foyle extended their lead to 14-0 through an interception by their centre, Ryan Curry, who ran in for his first of three tries. Once again Neil Burns converted the try to put the Foyle College team into a 14-0 lead. Just before half time the Foyle team scored the third try of the game through Ryan Curry. Once again, the try was converted by Neil Burns to give Foyle a 21-0 half time lead.
In the second half the Portora forwards started to come into the game. Positive play from the visitors resulted in a penalty for Portora which was converted by their scrum half and captain, James Stevenson, to make the score 21-3. Portora continued to have the upper hand which resulted in some excellent play leading to two tries, scored by Nathan Richmond and Eric Elliott and converted by James Stevenson, which took the score line to 21-17. The Foyle College team regrouped, gained some possession and started to put some phases of play together. This strategy resulted in Ryan Curry scoring his third try of the game which, once again, was converted by Neil Burns to take the score to 28-17. Foyle continued to put the Portora defence under pressure which resulted in a penalty which was slotted over the posts by Neil Burns to see the score board reading 31-17 in favour of the home team. In the final minutes the Portora forwards worked hard to score a try, which was touched down by John Clarke and converted by James Stevenson, to take the final score of this exciting game to 31-24 in favour of the Foyle and Londonderry College team.
Carrickfergus Grammar School hosted a Lurgan College team they had defeated narrowly earlier in the season.
The Carrickfergus team was determined the scoreline would not be as close in this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 2 game and they emerged as 23-6 winners. Both teams started the game with a few nerves showing which resulted in numerous handling errors. Lurgan had the opportunity to take the lead but missed a penalty fifteen minutes into the game. Shortly after this let-off Carrickfergus Grammar School did manage to score when Michael Black was successful with a penalty kick to put his team into a 3-0 lead. Lurgan College responded in a positive manner and drew level when Mark McIlwaine answered with a successful penalty kick making the score 3-3. Both teams had periods of possession but the Carrickfergus Grammar School team was slightly more dominant. Some positive play, involving both forwards and backs, saw the talented Christian Robinson exploit some space and touch down for a try. The conversion was missed but the Carrickfergus Grammar School team now had an 8-3 lead. Prior to the interval Lurgan College acquired some quality possession and made hard yards close to the Carrickfergus Grammar School line. They were awarded a penalty which Mark McIlwaine converted to take the score to 8-6 at the interval.
After half time Carrickfergus Grammar School seemed to display a bit more composure and the nerves of Schools’ Cup Rugby appeared to have settled. The team was more dominant in possession with strong runs from players such as Robert O’Callaghan and Adam Urquhart ensuring they gained vital hard yards. Carrickfergus Grammar School displayed some impressive rugby and they used their big forwards effectively in the wider channels. This resulted in Robert O’Callaghan powering over the line for an unconverted try to take the score to 13-6. Even though Lurgan College defended very well, Carrickfergus Grammar School runners and quick phases of play kept them on the front foot. Captain, Joel Bell made some hard yards with support from his forward pack to drive over the line following a well-placed penalty kick into the corner by Michael Black. Once again, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the scoreline now read 18-6 in favour of the Carrickfergus Grammar School team. With Lurgan eager to get possession back, Scott Henderson soared into the air to catch the kick off and off- load the ball to Adam Urquhart. Adam made an elusive run with quick recycled ball being moved into the wider channels by Adam Fittis, the Carrickfergus Grammar School outhalf. A scrum in the Lurgan College 22m area allowed Carrickfergus a good foundation to build for their next try as David Stewart received an off-load to score in the corner. Once again, the conversion was unsuccessful but the Carrickfergus Grammar School team had done enough to win this 2nd Round Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game by 23-6.
The Friends’ School team travelled to play Antrim Grammar School in their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game more in hope than expectation because of their injury list involving a number of experienced players, including captain, Ross Robinson.
However, following a great second half display, the Lisburn team returned home as 12-8 winners of a very entertaining game. The Antrim Grammar School team dominated proceedings for most of the first half. They were dominant at scrum time with captain, Adam Watt, getting good support from his colleagues in the front row. Adam was accurate with his lineout throws and with Mark Strange causing all sorts of problems at the breakdown area it was the Antrim Grammar School team that enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half. The Antrim team took a 3-0 lead midway through the first half when Mark Strange was successful with a penalty opportunity. The Friends’ team defence was well-organised with Dean Howes, Zac Finlay, Jack Ravey and Peter Ferguson all getting through a lot of work. That was until the last play of the first half when the Antrim team attacked the Friends’ team down the right hand side of the pitch. Good hands from the home side put full back, James Magowan, into space and he finished off with a fine try in the corner. The conversion was missed but the Antrim Grammar School team had a deserved 8-0 lead at the interval.
The Friends’ School team came out in the second half displaying a greater intensity than they had in the first half. They took the game to Antrim and began to look a little more threatening. The Antrim defence was good but could do little to stop Cameron McClements outpacing them to touch down for a fine try under the posts. Peter Ferguson converted the try to reduce the arrears to 8-7. Antrim had the opportunity to increase their lead on a number of occasions but missed penalties, allied to good Friends’ School defence, saved the day on a number of occasions. The game was swinging from end to end but the Friends’ team that took a 12-8 lead, with just seven minutes to go, when Peter Ferguson scrambled in at the corner for an unconverted try. The Antrim Grammar School team took play deep into Friends’ School territory during the final few minutes. They attacked at every opportunity but could find no way through a resolute Friends’ School defence. The no-side whistle went and it was the Friends’ School team that celebrated their hard earned 12-8 win.
Regent House hosted a Larne Grammar School team that had come through a Danske Bank Ulster Schools ’Cup Round 1 game against Cambridge House.
Despite the experience of winning that game there was little the Larne Grammar School could do to prevent Regent House from winning this Round 2 game by 42-0. Regent House dominated all the early play but unforced errors and ferocious Larne defence, in which Ethan Kerr was outstanding, kept the game scoreless for a large part of the first half. That was until Rhys Thompson, the Regent House right wing, took advantage of a good interchange of play involving both forwards and backs to score a try in the corner. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Regent House team had a 5-0 lead. On the stroke of half time Peter Eakin, The Regent House outhalf, added another try but the relatively simple conversion was missed to leave the Regent House team in a 10-0 lead at half time. CLICK HERE for Action Shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two minutes after the restart the Regent House loose head prop, Matthew Kane, barged his way over for a try. The same player repeated this feat when he scored again, this time from a driving lineout, five minutes later. Neither conversion attempot was successful but the Regent House team now had a 20-0 lead.
On forty-eight minutes, after further pressure by the home side, Regent House Vice-Captain and No 8, Philip Patton, crashed over for the fifth Regent try of the game to extend the lead to 25-0. From the restart Philip fielded the ball and made an impressive fifty metre run. The ball was recycled quickly and spread out the Regent House backline where full back, Curtis McCartney, finished off a sweeping move in the right hand corner. Again the conversion was missed but the Regent House team now had a 30-0 lead. A few minutes later, the Regent House centre, Aaron Culbert, finished off a blindside move to score in the corner with Curtis McCartney adding the conversion to put his team into a 37-0 lead. Close to the full time whistle the Regent House left wing, Andy Currie, scored an unconverted try to see the final score reading 42-0 in favour of the Regent House team at the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 2 encounter.
The draw for the 3rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup took place at Antrim Grammar School on Saturday 12th January.
The draw was conducted by Barbara Cathcart from the Danske Bank and Mr Stephen Black, Principal of Antrim Grammar School and Principals’ Representative on the Ulster Branch Committee.
Coleraine Academical Institution v Omagh Academy
Portadown College v Bangor Grammar School
Belfast Royal Academy v Carrickfergus Grammar School
Grosvenor Grammar School v Dalriada School
Royal School, Dungannon v Belfast High School
Foyle and Londonderry College v Down High School
Regent House v Rainey Endowed School
Friends’ School, Lisburn v Limavady Grammar School
The draw also took place for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Quarter-Finals.
Bye v Portora Royal School
Wellington College v Larne Grammar School
Lurgan College v Antrim Grammar School
Banbridge Academy v Cambridge House School
These games are all scheduled to take place on Saturday 26th January 2013.
A number of non Schools’ Cup games were played on Saturday 12th January.
Ballymena Academy won with the last play of their midweek game against Sullivan.
They lost 11-10 with the last play of the game at Ballyclare High School on Saturday 12th. The Ballymena Academy took a 5-0 lead when Justin Jolly showed determination and strength to score an unconverted try from close range. When the Ballyclare hooker had to leave the field midway through the first half, the scrums went uncontested and remained so for the rest of the game. This certainly had an effect on the pattern of the game and the home team took better advantage of the platform of the uncontested scrums.
Early in the second half, Ballyclare reduced the deficit to 5-3 when their out half, Jack Irvine, landed a penalty following a Ballymena infringement at the breakdown. Ballymena replied immediately with an unconverted try from Adam Kirk and looked set to hold on for a 10-3 victory. However, the home team rallied in the final minutes and added an unconverted try through Michael Kirk to take the score to 10-8. Straight from the kick off, Ballyclare maintained possession for several phases and were awarded a penalty within kicking distance. Jack Irvine stepped up and confidently slotted the kick home. The final whistle sounded with the final score reading 11-10 in favour of the Ballyclare High School team.
Grosvenor Grammar School hosted Rainey Endowed School who won the game by 24-12.
The Rainey team dominated proceedings in the first half scoring tries through Conal Murphy and Rigan Saunderson. Aaran Murphy added two conversions as well as a penalty to see the Rainey team into a 17-0 lead. This was reduced to 17-5 when Shane Johnston scored an unconverted try in the corner.
In the second half the Rainey team increased their lead when Conal Murphy touched down for his second try of the game. Aaran Murphy added the conversion to put his team into a 24-5 lead. The Grosvenor Grammar School team responded with a late try from Matthew Allen which Peter Davison converted to leave the Rainey Endowed team as 24-12 winners.
Omagh Academy had a training game with Omagh Rugby Club U19’s in a venture that turned out to be useful for both teams.
The Omagh Academy team scored their points through tries from Adam Longwell, Neil MacLaine and two from Adam Stephenson.
Belfast Royal Academy hosted Portadown College at Roughfort and emerged as 28-9 winners.
The Belfast Royal Academy team took an early 7-0 lead through a Mark Wylie try which was converted by Daniel McFadden. The Portadown team responded very positively and pressurised the Academy team into giving away penalties, three of which were converted by Niall Davidson to put his Portadown College team into a 9-7 lead. CLICK HERE for Action Shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Belfast Royal Academy team controlled the game in the second half and scored three tries. David Campbell, Ryan Montgomery scored one try each while Mark Wylie touched down for his second of the game. Daniel McFadden converted all three to secure the 28-9 victory for his Belfast Royal Academy team.
Campbell College hosted Clongowes Wood College from Leinster in an entertaining game on Fox’s Field. The Leinster team won the game by 22-3. For Campbell College Jack Owens and Josh Fullerton had stand out performances in the course of the game.
Royal School, Armagh, following some indifferent performances in recent games, got back to winning ways when they defeated Coleraine Academical Institution by 42-0 at the College Hill venue. The home team was 21-0 ahead at the interval with tries from Daniel Ewart, Darryl Morton and Ali Wright. Ali Wright was successful with all three conversions.
It was more of the same in the second half with the Armagh team scoring tries from through Daniel Ewart, Conor Wright and Kyle Faloon. Ali Wright, once again, was successful with all three conversions.
This was an impressive performance by the RS Armagh team with John Dunne playing well in his first game as a prop. Darryl Morton was in imperious form but it was Kyle Faloon, in his first game on the 1st xv, who came away with the “Man of the Match” Award.
Methodist College got back to winning ways when they travelled to Dublin to play a very strong Terenure College team The Methody team returned with a well-deserved 17-13 win under their belts, against a team seen by many as potential Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup winners.
The Methodist College tries came from Connor McKee, Mark Campbell and Ross McAllister. Josh Bingham converted one of the tries in a game which was played in poor conditions with the Methodist College pack dominating the set pieces.
