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Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 12th January 2019
On Wednesday 9th January Royal School, Dungannon lost by 48-10 when they played Portadown College in a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy Round 1 game.
On Thursday 10th January Ballyclare Secondary School hosted Strabane Academy in a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy game. The Ballyclare Secondary school team won the game by 24-7.
There were seven Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round games played on Saturday 12th January as well as one Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy game and a number of friendly games.
Belfast High School hosted a very spirited Strabane Academy team in a Danske Bak Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game the Belfast High School team won by 45-12. This scoreline might be seen as slightly flattering for the Belfast High School team as the Strabane Academy team put in a first rate performance and were maybe unlucky not to have scored a few more points especially in the opening stages of the game. Having weathered the early onslaught from the Strabane Academy attack Jack Ferguson then gave the Belfast High School team a 7-0 lead when he touched down for a try which Aaron Douglas converted. Coming up to the interval the Belfast High School team increased their lead to 12-0 when Cameron McKimm touched down for an unconverted try.
Following an unconverted try from Ben Reid, which increased the Belfast High School lead to 17-0, the Strabane Academy did get some reward for the endeavours when Tom Harper and Jordan Mealiff scored second half tries, one of which was converted by Jamie Browne, to reduce the Strabane Academy arrears to 17-12. After this, and despite the best defensive efforts of players such as Gavin Doherty and Jack Kee, it was the Belfast High School team that held the upper hand. Aaron Douglas scored a try, which he converted, to increase the Belfast High School lead to 24-12. The impressive Scott Hutton then scored a find individual try, converted by Aaron Douglas, to see his team into a 31-12 lead. Jay Doyle then got into the try scoring act with his try converted by Ben Reid to see the Belfast High School lead increased to 38-12. Close to the end of this intriguing game a Cameron McKimm try, which was converted by Ben Reid, left the final score reading Belfast High School 45 Strabane Academy 12.
Cambridge House Grammar School played Banbridge Academy at Eaton Park in a very closely contested Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game which the Cambridge House Grammar School team won by 11-10. The Banbridge Academy team put in a great physical performance that the Cambridge House Grammar School team found unsettling at times and they found themselves 10-3 behind at the break. Rory McCandless gave the Cambridge House team a 3-0 lead with an early penalty. The Banbridge Academy team recovered and midway through the first half Jake Houston touched down for an unconverted try to give the Banbridge team a 5-3 lead. This became 10-3 just before halftime when the exciting Andrew Denvir touched down for an unconverted try.
However, the Cambridge House team had wind advantage in the second half and ten minutes after the re-start Rory McCandless converted a penalty opportunity to reduce the deficit to 10-6. Five minutes later further pressure from the home team presented Tom Wharry with a try scoring opportunity which he took. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Cambridge House team now had an 11-10 lead. Despite the best effort of Banbridge Academy players such as Adam Hanna, Niall Thompson and Andrew Denvir there was to be no way through a well-organised Cambridge House Grammar School and they managed to hold on for a very hard-earned 11-10 win.
Both teams would like to thank Ballymena RFC for the provision of facilities and hosting this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game.
Carrickfergus Grammar School found it difficult to contain a very powerful Down High School team when the teams met in the 2nd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup in a game the Down High School team won by 55-3. The Carrickfergus Grammar School team took an early 3-0 lead when Daniel Curley was successful with a penalty kick. After this, and despite the efforts of the home team, it was the Down High School team that controlled most of the territory and possession. Jonathan Graham took full advantage of some good handling from his back division before touching down for a try to which Greg Hutley added the extras to see his team into a 7-3 lead. Luka Walsh then took an intercept pass and ran the length of the pitch to touch down for a try, which Greg Hutley converted, to increase the Down High School lead to 14-3. Christy Lindsay then displayed great evasion skills before touching down for an unconverted try to see his team into a 19-3 lead. Following multiple phases of play, just before the break, Josh Hanlon powered over the Carrickfergus Grammar School line for a try, which Greg Hutley converted, to see the Down High School team take a 26-3 lead into the interval.
Two unconverted tries from Jakob Cross, in the opening stages of the second half, increased the Down High School lead to 36-3. The Carrickfergus Grammar School team then came close to scoring through good work from Liam Kaprigiannis-Green and Daniel Curley but good Down High School defence thwarted their attempts. A clever grubber kick from Greg Hutley presented the opportunity for Christy Lindsay to run in for an unconverted try and increase the Down High School lead to 41-3. A third Jakob Cross try, following some great Down High School handling, was converted by Greg Hutley, and increased the Down High School lead to 48-3. A final flurry of Down High School attacks finished with a second try from Josh Hanlon. The successful conversion from Charlie Gibson secured the 55-3 victory for the Down High School team at the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game.
Dromore High School made the Regent House School team work hard before the Regent House School emerged as 10-8 winners at the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game. It was a very evenly contested first half with both defences on top. Regent missed an early penalty but went 3-0 up after twenty minutes when Stuart Martin converted another penalty opportunity. Dromore High School responded positively and, on the stroke of half time, they forced the Regent House School team into conceding a penalty. Rhys Dale converted the ensuing penalty kick to see the scoreboard reading Dromore High School 3 Regent House School 3 at the interval.
Regent enjoyed a good deal of the territory in the second half but Dromore took an 8-3 lead with fifteen minutes to go when Richard Dickson slid in the corner to touch down for an unconverted try following some great good work by Aaron Lyttle. However, from the resulting kick off Dromore give away a penalty. Regent House kicked into the corner and, from possession from the resultant lineout, Samuel Attipoe scored a try. Stuart Martin added the extras to see his Regent House team into a 10-8 lead. Most of the last ten minutes was spent in the middle of the pitch and on the final whistle of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2nd Round Cup game it was the Regent House School team that came away as 10-8 winners.
Grosvenor Grammar School made the Friends’ School, Lisburn team work very hard before the Friends’ School team came away as 22-14 winners of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game. The Friends’ School team started well and early pressure saw a strong carry from Max Gillespie finish when he touched down for an unconverted try to give his team a 5-0 lead. The Grosvenor Grammar School team responded in a very positive manner and took a 7-5 lead when Jack Breen ran in for a try which was converted by Adam Moore. Just before the break pressure from a Friends’ School attack saw the Grosvenor defence concede a penalty. Up stepped Reece Malone to convert the penalty opportunity and see his team into an 8-7 lead at halftime.
The Friends; School, Lisburn team started the second half strongly and good work from their pack finished with a try from Ryan McGucken. Reece Malone added the conversion to see his team into a 15-7 lead. An excellent Grosvenor Grammar School counter attack was finished off with a try from Josh Malcolm. Adam Moore converted the try to reduce the Friends’ School lead to 15-14. However, the Friends’ School stuck to their principles of attack and Jack Harte finished of a flowing move with a try which was converted by Reece Malone to secure the 22-14 win for the Friends’ School, Lisburn team at the end of this entertaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 2 game.
Limavady Grammar School and Larne Grammar School played out an entertaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game which the Larne Grammar School team won by 27-22. Larne Grammar School opened the scoring with a Euan Glenn penalty to take a 3-0 lead. The Limavady Grammar School team responded with an unconverted try from Lewis Baldrick to give the home team a 5-3 lead. Back came the Larne Grammar School team and a second Euan Glenn penalty saw the visitors into a 6-5 lead. Some excellent play from the Limavady Grammar School back line finished with John Anderson touching down for an unconverted try and give his team a10-6 lead. The Larne Grammar School pack then started to dominate proceedings and Aaron Gallagher touched down for a try, which Euan Glenn converted, to see the Larne Grammar School team into a 13-10 lead. Just before halftime the Larne Grammar School team took a 20-10 lead when more forward power presented Caelen Campbell with the opportunity to score a try. Euan Glenn added the conversion to see his team into a 20-10 lead at the break.
Early in the second half a penalty try saw the Limavady Grammar School team reduce their arrears to 20-17. A James Howe penalty for the Limavady Grammar School team saw the teams draw level with the scoreboard reading 20-20. However, good work from Jakob Holst, Aaron Gallagher and Jordan McIlhinney finished when Jason Ward ran in for a try. Euan Glenn added the conversion to secure the 27-20 win for the Larne Grammar School team at the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game.
Lurgan College hosted Foyle and Londonderry College in a closely contested Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game the Lurgan College team won by 13-8. The Lurgan College team secured a good amount of possession early in the game and, as a result, was able to mount a series of attacks on the Foyle College line. As a result of good ball from a lineout the Lurgan College team moved the ball to good effect and the end result was a try in the corner from Alex Dixon. Up stepped Harry Bird to confidently convert the try to see his team into a 7-0 lead after ten minutes of play. Playing with the wind behind them the Lurgan College backs continued to ask questions of the Foyle College defence. With the pressure building the Foyle College defence conceded a penalty. Harry Bird converted the penalty to extend the Lurgan College lead to 10-0. Continuing Lurgan College attacks ensured they kept this lead until the break.
The start of the second half saw the Foyle College team come back into the game by securing more possession and territory. Lurgan College conceded a penalty and Keelin Coyle reduced the Foyle College deficit to 10-3 with a well-struck penalty kick. The Foyle College team secured possession from the re-start on continued with phase after phase of attacking plays. William Finlay made a great break through the Lurgan College defence and found Keelin Coyle running a great line of support. Keelin finished the move off with an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to 10-8. Lurgan came back into the game and, with only a few minutes remaining, forced the Foyle College team into conceding a penalty. Harry Bird coolly slotted the kick to leave the scoreboard reading Lurgan College 13 Foyle and Londonderry College 8 at the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd Round game.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy competition Wellington College, Belfast played Antrim Grammar School in a game the Wellington College team won by 56-7. Marcus Smyth scored five tries for the Wellington College team with Chris Campbell, Kyle McWatters and Jake Hamilton each running in for one try. Marcus Smyth completed a Man of the Match performance with all eight successful conversion kicks.
The Antrim Grammar School points came through a try from Ross Mackay which was converted by Callum Hull.
When the results of all these Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and Trophy games were collated the draws took place for the 3rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy. The draws were conducted by Chris Webster, Head of Rugby Development with Ulster Rugby, and Stephen Black, Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 3 Draw:
Friends’ School, Lisburn v Ballyclare High School
Omagh Academy v Down High School
Coleraine Grammar School v Dalriada School
Regent House School v Bangor Grammar School
Lurgan College v Cambridge House Grammar School
Royal School, Dungannon v Larne Grammar School
Rainey Endowed School v Portadown College
Belfast Royal Academy v Belfast High School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 3rd Round games are to be played on/before Saturday 26th January 2019.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Final Draw
Strabane Academy v Wellington College, Belfast
Limavady Grammar School v Grosvenor Grammar School
Dromore High School v Carrickfergus Grammar School
Foyle and Londonderry College v Banbridge Academy
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Final games are to be played on or before Saturday 26th January 2019.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup Ballyclare High School 4thxv played Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv in a game the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team won by 57-0.
There were six non Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games, involving school teams from Ulster, played on Saturday 12th January.
Sullivan Upper School played Ballymena Academy and won the game by 35-17. The Sullivan Upper display was masterminded by scrum half, Conor McKee, who played impressively throughout. Will Cave, touched down for three tries for the Sullivan Upper team with Rory Houston running in for one. Conor McKee added three penalty kicks as well as three conversions.
The Ballymena Academy points came through tries from James Wright and Adam Lamont with Ross McKay adding two conversions as well as one penalty.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School defeated their close rivals from Omagh Academy by 28-12. The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School points came through tries from Neil Rutledge, Callum Smyton, who touched down twice, and Ryan Phair. Eddie Keys was successful with all four conversions.
Matthew Hunter, a stand out player for the Omagh Academy team alongside Philip Rainey, and Harry Stephenson scored the Omagh Academy tries with Rory Ritchie adding one conversion.
Royal School, Armagh played Coleraine Grammar School in a game the Royal School, Armagh team won by 28-7. Jason Denley, Aaron Woods with two and Josh King were the RS Armagh try scorers. Ethan McAtarsney was successful with all four conversions.
The Coleraine Grammar School team put in a very workmanlike performance but could manage just one try from Mark Lamont to which Pierce Crowe added the conversion.
Blackrock College, Dublin hosted Methodist College, Belfast in a game the Methodist College, Belfast team won by 8-7 and, in so doing, won the McIntosh Centenary Shield for the first time since 2009. Chris Larmour scored an unconverted try for the Methodist College team with Ethan McIlroy adding a penalty.
The Blackrock College points came through a converted try from Aaron Rowan.
Also playing at Blackrock College was the Wallace High School team who lost against a Blackrock College team by 23-21. Joel Dundas scored two tries for the Wallace High School team with Peter McRoberts, on his return to playing, scoring one. Nathan Doak was successful with all three of his conversion kicks.
Clongowes Wood College hosted Campbell College; Belfast in a game the Campbell College, Belfast team recorded a morale boosting 33-26 win. Conor Rankin, Danny Williamson and Tobi Olaniyan scored the tries for the Campbell College team with Conor Rankin adding three conversions as well as four penalties.
