Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 15th January 2022.
On Wednesday 12th January Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv hosted Enniskillen Royal Grammar School 3rdxv in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv team won the game with a comprehensive 57-0 victory.
On Friday 14th January Foyle and Londonderry College 3rdxv played Limavady Grammar School 3rdxv in the 1st Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Trophy and won the game by 38-14.
This game was played on the excellent floodlit pitch at the new Foyle College campus.
Later that evening Wallace High School played Cistercian College, Roscrea in Roscrea.
The Cistercian College team won the game by 40-5 with Daniel Hearne scoring the consolation unconverted try for the Wallace High School team.
On Saturday 15th January eight Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 3rd Round games, two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’Cup 1/4 Final games, two 1st Round Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate games, as well as a number of 1stxv friendly games, took place.
In the 3rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Dalriada School hosted Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and it was the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team that came away as narrow 15-13 winners at the no-side whistle.
Dalriada School took an early 3-0 lead in this exciting game when Gabriel Stubbs-Carton converted a penalty with just twelve minutes gone.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team replied with a try from Myles Graham, which was converted by Tadhg Hambly, to take a 7-3 lead.
From the restart the Dalriada team pressurised the Enniskillen RGS team and good work from Owen Boyd, Alex Dickie and Andrew Gilmore paved the way for a try from Hugo Clarke. Gabriel Stubbs -Carton added the extras to see his team into a 10-7 lead at the break.
The second half kicked off and the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School eventually regained a 12-10 lead when Tim Harte touched down for an unconverted try.
Dalriada responded in a positive manner once again with little time remaining. Good work from Paul Torrens forced the Enniskillen RGS team into conceding another penalty. Gabriel Stubbs-Carton was successful with the kick to see the Dalriada School team into a 13-12 lead.
Three minutes from time Enniskillen RGs pressure resulted in a penalty kick opportunity for Tadgh Hambly. Tadgh was accurate with the kick which ensured the 15-13 victory for the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team at the end of this excellent game of schoolboy Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup rugby.
Dromore High School played their near neighbours from Banbridge Academy and won the game by 24-0.
The Dromore High School team had built up a 17-0 lead at the interval with tries from Ryan Rodgers, Max Brush and Jonny Scott to which Nathan Hook added one conversion.
The Banbridge Academy team, with Marcus McNeill and Ryan Matthews to the fore, came close to scoring on a number of occasions in the second half. However, the Dromore defence was well organised and the Banbridge Academy attackers found there was no way through.
With the final play of the game the Dromore High School team secured their 24-0 victory when Curtis Forbes touched down for a try which was converted by Ethan Mount.
Foyle and Londonderry College welcomed Belfast High School and had to work hard before securing their 16-14 victory.
The Foyle College points came through a try from Lewis Hodgson, which was converted by Adam Killeen, who was also successful with three penalty kicks.
The Belfast High School team had taken an early 14-0 lead with Adam and Daniel Bennett each scoring a try and Cameron Banford adding two successful conversions.
Grosvenor Grammar School played Omagh Academy in a game the Omagh Academy team won by 41-12.
The Grosvenor Grammar School team scored two tries through Zelig Young and Michael Baird to which Ben Johnston added one conversion.
The Omagh Academy team scored an early try through Tyan Reid which was converted by Andrew Johnston. Another try, this time from Joshua Kyle, once again converted by Andrew Johnston, saw the Omagh Academy take control of the game. Ben Henry and Reece Brade touched down for further Omagh Academy tries before the break.
The second half saw the Omagh team score three more tries. Ben Henry scored his second of the game, Andrew Johnston ran in for a try, which he converted, and Alister Crawford touched down for an unconverted try which secured the 41-12 victory for the Omagh Academy team.
Limavady Grammar School played Coleraine Grammar School and made the Coleraine Grammar School team work hard for their 24-10 victory.
The Limavady Grammar School team scored their points through a try from Ulster Age Grade prop, Fearghus Canning and a conversion and penalty from the talented Benjamin Howe.
The Coleraine Grammar School points came through tries from Harry Hughes, who put in a “Man of the Match” performance, Mark Cusick and Rory Telfer. Rory was also successful with one penalty as well as three conversion kicks.
Rainey Endowed School played Down High School in a game from which the Down High School team emerged as 24-10 winners.
The game, which was played in front of enthusiastic supporters from both schools, got off to an exciting start when the very youthful and committed Rainey Endowed School team took a 5-0 lead with only five minutes on the clock. Early Rainey pressure finished when Billy Allen touched down for an unconverted try following good work from the Rainey Endowed School pack.
However, the Down High School team, knowing they were in a game, did not display any signs of panic. Their positive approach was rewarded with three tries, one of which was converted, to take a 17-5 lead into the interval. Cameron McCaughey, Rhodri Philips and Ryan Connolly scored the first half tries with Ross Graham adding the conversion to one of the tries.
Seven minutes into the second half the Down High School team increased their deserved lead to 24-5 when Fionn Carey crashed over for a try which Ross Graham converted.
The young Rainey Endowed School team never gave up and spent a considerable amount of time, in the second half, asking questions of the Down High School defence. The Down High School defence was well organised with Rhodri Philips and Cameron McCaughey to the fore, and they held the upper hand. That was until an unconverted try from Adam Montgomery ensured the Rainey Endowed School team got some reward for their endeavours to leave the final scoreboard reading Rainey Endowed School 10 Down High School 24.
Regent House hosted their near neighbours from Bangor Grammar School in an exciting game the Regent House team won by 15-12.
The Regent House School team had opened up a 12-7 lead by the break with tries from Luke Megarrity and Noah Greenhauld. Zach Campbell was successful with one conversion.
The Bangor Grammar School points, in the first half, came through a Ben Gibson try to which he added the conversion.
The second half saw Zach Campbell convert a penalty kick for the Regent House team with Ben McLean touching for an unconverted try for the Bangor Grammar School team.
Royal School, Armagh played Belfast Royal Academy at the College Hill venue and had to work hard for their, ultimately, well-deserved 18-0 win.
Luke McCall, a player who impressed with his performance, scored two tries for the Royal School, Armagh team with Matthew Whittle running in for one try. Matthew Monaghan was successful with one penalty kick.
When the results of these games were known the draws for the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl took place at the Rainey Endowed School.
The draw for the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup was made by Pat Mullan, Danske Bank Head of GB Mortgages, and Mr Neil McClements, Principal of the Rainey Endowed School.
The results of the draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round
1/Foyle and Londonderry College v Sullivan Upper School.
2/Ballymena Academy v Coleraine Grammar School
3/Dromore High School v Regent House School
4/Wallace High School v Royal School, Dungannon
5/Ballyclare High School v Royal School, Armagh
6/Enniskillen Royal Grammar School v Methodist College, Belfast
7/Campbell College, Belfast v Down High School
8/Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Omagh Academy
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 29th January 2022
The draw for the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl was made by Pat Mullan, Danske Bank Head of Mortgages GB, and Richard Clingan, Chairman of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Finals
1/Grosvenor Grammar School v Banbridge Academy
2/Belfast High School v Dalriada School
3/Belfast Royal Academy v Bangor Grammar School
4/Rainey Endowed School v Limavady Grammar School
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 29th January 2022
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Finals (Previously Drawn on December 11th)
1/Strabane Academy v Friends’ School, Lisburn
2/Larne Grammar School v Portadown College
3/Carrickfergus Grammar School v Lurgan College
4/Cambridge House Grammar School v Bye
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 29th January 2022
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup 1/4 Finals Bangor Academy 1stxv played Ballymena Academy 3rdxv and won the game by 23-7.
Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv played Belfast Royal Academy 3rdxv and won the game by 40-0.
In the 1st Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate two games were also scheduled for completion on Saturday 15th January.
As a result of the outcome of Lurgan College 3rdxv v Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv game it was the Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv team that went through to the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate.
Royal School, Armagh 4thxv played Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5thxv and won the game by 10-0.
Ballyclare High School 3rdxv, Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv, Down High School 3rdxv, Royal School, Armagh 3rdxv and Wallace High School 3rdxv all had byes into the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Trophy competition.
When the results of these games were known the draws took place for the 1/2 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup and the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate.
The results of the draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup 1/2 Finals
1/Bangor Academy 1stxv v Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv
2/Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv v Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 29th January 2022
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 1/4 Finals
1/Royal School, Armagh 4thxv v Ballyclare High School 3rdxv
2/Down High School 3rdxv v Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv
3/Wallace High School 3rdxv v Foyle and Londonderry College 3rdxv
4/Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv v Royal School, Armagh 3rdxv
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 29th January 2022
As well as the various Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competition games a number of 1stxv friendly games took place.
Ballyclare High School played Wesley College, Dublin and it was the Wesley College, Dublin team that emerged from the game as 24-18 winners.
Alex Darragh and Calum Baird scored one try each for the Ballyclare High School team. Callum Cochrane was successful with one conversion as well as two penalty kicks.
Ballymena Academy hosted Sullivan Upper School and recorded a 31-12 victory.
Connor Drain scored a brace of tries for the Ballymena Academy team with Adam Thompson, Joshua Gallagher and Tom McMaster each scoring one try. Tristan Ferguson was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
The Sullivan Upper School points came through one try from Josh Storey and a conversion and penalty from Harry McKeown.
Campbell College, Belfast travelled to Bray in Co Wicklow to play Presentation Brother’s College, Bray and continued their recent run of good form with a 36-17 victory.
The Campbell College team scored five tries through Zac Solomon, who touched down twice, and Joe Hopes, Cameron Hillis and Matthew Booth. Peter Cave was successful with four conversions as well as one penalty kick.
The Presentation Brother’s College, Bray tries came through Gavin Rochford, Dylan Henry and Billy Corrigan. The talented Jack Murphy added the extras to one of the tries.
Friends’ School, Lisburn played Portadown College in a game the Portadown College team won by 26-5.
Alex Murphy scored a consolation unconverted try for the Friends’ School, Lisburn team.
The Portadown College team scored four tries through Jamie Jackson, who touched down twice, Victor Lawniczek and Ethan Hodgson. Adam Neill added three conversions.
Lurgan College played Royal School, Dungannon at Lurgan Rugby Club in a training game which saw the RS Dungannon team score eight tries. Alex Kennedy and Jacob Clarke each scored a brace with James Girvan, James McCammon, Matthew Burrows and Reuben Gibson each running in for one try.
Both teams, and their coaches, would like to thank Lurgan Rugby Club for the provision of facilities and hosting this training game on an excellent playing surface.
Methodist College, Belfast travelled to Blackrock College, Dublin for the second time in a week. However, on this occasion the Methodist College team played their annual fixture against Christian Brother’ s College, Cork.
Methody won the game by 24-18 with Jonny O’Kane, Lorcan Hanratty, Harry Palmer and Josh McAdam scoring the tries. Ben McFarlane was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
The Christian Brother’s College, Cork team scored two tries through Darragh Burke and Sam Loftus with Darragh adding one conversion as well as two penalties.
Both teams, and their coaches, would like to thank Blackrock College for the provision of facilities and hosting the game on their excellent Senior Cup Team pitch.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution travelled to Clane in Co Kildare where they played Clongowes Wood College.
The Clongowes Wood College team, having lost to Campbell College, Belfast last week, got back to winning ways in this game with a 39-14 victory.
Henry Wilkenson scored two tries for the Clongowes Wood College team with Sean McNulty, Declan O’Brien and David Daly each touching down for one try. Jack Keily was successful with four conversions as well as two penalty kicks.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution points came through tries from Rory Stewart and Miles Lowe to which the impressive Josh Eagleson added both conversions.
