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Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 17th March 2018
The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate was played on Monday 12th March when the Coleraine Grammar School 2ndxv played the Portadown College 2ndxv on a superbly prepared pitch at the Belfast Royal Academy playing fields at Roughfort. The Coleraine Grammar School team won the game by 24-12.
Following the game, former Ulster Rugby Coach and current Rugby Consultant at Belfast Royal Academy, Brian McLaughlin, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate finalists medals to the players from both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate to the captain of the winning team. Brian congratulated both teams on reaching the final and providing such an exciting game of schoolboy rugby for the many spectators to watch. He thanked the referee and his assistants for the positive manner in which they controlled the game, thanked the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship of Ulster Schools’ Rugby and thanked the Principal, Governors and staff at Belfast Royal Academy for the provision of facilities and hosting the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate Final.
On Tuesday 13th March a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters gathered at the Kingspan Stadium to watch the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield when Campbell College, Belfast Medallion team played the Ballymena Academy Medallion team. After a very closely contested and exciting game the Ballymena Academy team emerged as 10-8 winners.
Following the game, Graffin Parke, President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, and Carol Wilson, representing the Danske Bank sponsors, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield finalists medals to the players from both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield to Adam Lamont, captain of the victorious Ballymena Academy Medallion team. Graffin congratulated both teams on reaching the final and providing such an exciting game of Medallion schoolboy rugby for the many spectators to watch. He thanked the referee and his assistants for the positive manner in which they controlled the game, thanked the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship of Ulster Schools’ Rugby and thanked all the Ulster Branch staff at the Kingspan Stadium for all their hard work involved in hosting the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Final.
On Wednesday 14th March Down High School and Ballyclare High School were to have contested the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield at the Queen’s University Arena. The same teams contested this final last season and provided a high quality game for the large crowd of spectators to watch on that occasion. Unfortunately, the prevailing weather conditions caused this final to be postponed.
On the same afternoon the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup was scheduled to take place when Royal Belfast Academical Institution Colts were to have played Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv at the Campbell College playing fields. Unfortunately, this final also fell victim to the prevailing weather conditions prevalent on Wednesday 14th.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Final was then re-scheduled and took place on Friday 16th March at Campbell College, Belfast. The Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv won the game by 12-0 and, in doing so, retained the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup.
Following the game, former Ulster and Ireland No 8, Brian Robinson, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup finalists medals to the players from both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup to the captain of the winning team. Brian congratulated both teams on reaching the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup final and providing such an exciting game of schoolboy rugby for the spectators to watch. He thanked the referee and his assistants for the positive manner in which they controlled the game, thanked the Danske Bank for their continued sponsorship of Ulster Schools’ Rugby and thanked the Principal, Governors and staff at Campbell College, Belfast for the provision of facilities and hosting the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup Final.
One game was played on Wednesday 14th March when the second semi-final in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate competition was played and Ballymena Academy 3rdxv met Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv. The game was played in very difficult conditions and the Campbell College team emerged as 21-14 winners.
Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv will now play Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate at CIYMS RFC on Tuesday 20th March at 2-00pm.
Looking towards next season Friends’ School, Lisburn hosted an U17 Tournament lwhen 2 x 35 minute games were played against Larne Grammar School and Royal School, Dungannon. The Friends’ School team defeated Larne Grammar School by 17-7 and drew with the Royal School, Dungannon team. The Royal School, Dungannon team defeated Larne Grammar School, by 20-5. Regardless of the scores the players from the three schools involved thoroughly enjoyed taking part in all the games that were played.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Seven-a-Side Tournament was scheduled to have been played at Campbell College on Saturday 17th March. Unfortunately, this tournament had to be cancelled due to the wet weather conditions.
There are three Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Final scheduled to take place during the week beginning Monday 19th March
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final will take place at the Kingspan Stadium on Monday 19th when the Royal School, Armagh team will play Campbell College, Belfast at 3-00pm.
The Danske Bank 3rdxv Plate Final will take place at CIYMS RFC on Tuesday 20th March when Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv will play Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv at 2-00pm.
The postponed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Final will be played on Wednesday 21st when Down High School will play Ballyclare High School at Pirrie Park at 2-30pm.
