Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 21st October 2023
Wednesday 18th October saw the first of 2023/24 the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group Stage games take place when Royal School, Armagh played Omagh Academy in a Group A game at the College Hill venue.
The Royal School, Armagh team won the game by 36-0 and scored six tries in the process.
Thomas Dougan, Bailey Russell, Jamie Rafferty, Archie Johnston, with two, and Cameron Cummings scored the tries with Josh Lowey adding three conversions.
The young Omagh Academy team made the Royal School, Armagh team work hard for their win. Players such as Sam Harper, Sam Busby and Sam Beattie impressed with their performances for the Omagh Academy team.
On the same afternoon the first two of sixteen Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ competition finals took place when Wallace High School played Campbell College, Belfast in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup final and Larne Grammar School played Ballyclare High School in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield final.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup final was played on the perfectly prepared Pirrie Park paddock pitch where the Wallace High School U16 team played the Campbell College, Belfast U16 team.
At the end of this high scoring Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Final game the Campbell College, Belfast U16 team emerged as 45-26 winners.
Following the game, Denis Gardiner, President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup to Charlie Haldane, captain of the victorious Campbell College, Belfast U16 team. Denis congratulated both teams on reaching the final, thanked the Principal, Governors and staff of Methodist College, Belfast, for hosting the game, thanked the referee, Dan Carson, for controlling the game so well, and thanked the Danske Bank for their continuing sponsorship of all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ competitions.
Meanwhile, at Roughfort, where the Belfast Royal Academy groundsman, Anton, had prepared a superb playing surface, the Larne Grammar School U16 team played the Ballyclare High School U16 team in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield.
At the end of this closely contested Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield final, it was the Ballyclare High School team that emerged as 15-10 winners.
Following the game, John Wilson, representing the Ulster Branch, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield to Harry Thompson, captain of the victorious Ballyclare High School U16 Shield team. John congratulated both teams on reaching the final, thanked the Principal, Governors and staff of Belfast Royal Academy, for hosting the game, thanked the referee, Jonathan Diamond, for controlling the game so well, and thanked the Danske Bank for their continuing sponsorship of all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competitions.
On the same afternoon Campbell College, Belfast travelled to play Terenure College in Dublin in a game the Terenure College, Dublin team won by 56-12.
The Campbell College, Belfast team was well in the game right until the final quarter when the Terenure College attack took full control.
The Terenure College team try scorers were Adam Cooper, Lorcan Fiery, Paddy Curry, Louis Morean, Elliot Mallen, Mark Egan, Mike Murphy and Lockie Wardick. Louis Moran was successful with all eight of his conversion kicks.
On the top of good performances from Campbell College players such as Rian Davis, Ollie Park, Jed Dornan and Scott Gray, Josh Bunting scored two tries, one of which was converted by Henry Ralston.
Also, on Wednesday 18th October, an Antrim Grammar School “Senior Select” xv played Wellington College, Belfast in an exciting encounter the Antrim Grammar School team won by 26-12.
Liam McMullan, Fintan Lundy, with two, and Noah Warne scored the Antrim Grammar School tries. Dara Kelly was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
The Wellington College, Belfast team scored two tries through Max Downing and Ethan White with Ethan adding one conversion.
On Saturday 21st October the remaining eleven Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Group Stage games took place.
In Group A Enniskillen Royal Grammar School hosted Lurgan College and recorded a 45-5 victory.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School scorers were James Morrison, with three tries, and James Trotter, Jamies Morrow, Cameron Smith and Morgan Whittaker with one try each. Tadhg Hambley converted four of the tries with James Trotter converting one try. Jake Woods and Alex Howe impressed also with their performances for the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team.
The Lurgan College team worked hard throughout the game and got some reward for their efforts when Adam Ewart touched down for an unconverted try. Ben Maxwell, Daniel Wilson, Pedro Melo and Tom Stevenson all impressed with their performances for the Lurgan College team.
In Group B Friends’ School, Lisburn played Dromore High School and recorded a hard-earned, but ultimately, well-deserved 22-17 victory.
Dromore High School took a 5-0 lead when Matthew Heasley ran in for an early unconverted try.
The Friends’ School team responded with a try from Ethan Salt, which was converted by Harry Moore, to give them a 7-5 lead at the break.
Early in the second half this lead extended to 10-5 when Harry Moore converted a penalty opportunity.
An unconverted try from Joel Johnston, for the Dromore High School team, brought the scores level at 10-10.
The Friends’ School, Lisburn team then regained a lead of 17-10 when the impressive Alex McKinley scrambled over for a try which was converted by Harry Moore.
Back came the Dromore High School team with a try from Callum Bradley, converted by Daniel Ennis-McMannus, to see the scoreboard reading Friends’ School, Lisburn 17 Dromore High School 17.
With little time remaining, the Friends’ School team secured their 22-17 victory when Ryley Murphy outpaced the despairing Dromore High School defence and touched down for an unconverted try.
Belfast High School played Down High School in a game which saw the Down High School team emerge as 40-0 winners.
Despite losing the game Belfast High School played with a determined display. Players such as Joey Ashby, Robbie McMinn, Lucas Thompson and Leo O’Loingsigh worked hard for the duration of the game.
The Down High School points came through tries from Ryan Connolly, Lewis Connolly, Bailey Parker, Matthew Cresswell, Jacob Bradshaw and Alex Watson. Ben Cassidy added the extras to two of the tries with Josh McCaughey kicking three successful conversions.
In Group C Belfast Royal Academy played Rainey Endowed School and came through a highly entertaining game with a 28-20 victory.
The Belfast Royal Academy team scored three tries through Matthew McLaughlin, Josh Manson and Ethan Pavlovic. Connor McVicker was successful with two conversion kicks while Frank Davis converted three penalty kick opportunities.
The Rainey Endowed School team scored three tries with Nathan Overend touching down for two and Ewan McKay running in for a third try. Owen O’Kane added one conversion as well as one penalty kick.
Foyle and Londonderry College entertained Grosvenor Grammar School and won the game by 20-5.
Robbie Patterson and Sam Pollin scored the Foyle College tries to which Darwyn Nutt added both conversions as well as two successful penalty kicks.
The Grosvenor Grammar School team played positively with the ball in hand throughout the game. They got some reward for their positive approach when Stefan Buick touched down for an unconverted try.
In Group D Portadown College played Royal School, Dungannon and won the game by 20-10.
Tyler Jackson, Tom Neill and Jack Todd scored the Portadown College tries with Danny Guy adding one successful conversion as well as one successful penalty.
The Royal School, Dungannon team, for whom Blake Redmond impressed, scored two unconverted tries through Alex Welton and Reuben Gibson.
Larne Grammar School played Bangor Grammar School and recorded an impressive 36-5 victory.
The Larne Grammar School team scored six tries with Ryan McDowell touching down for a hattrick, “Man of the Match”, Jonathan Dallas scoring a brace and Ethan Anderson adding a sixth. Ethan Duncan was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
The Bangor Grammar School points came through an unconverted try from the hard-working Paddy McClure.
In Group E Limavady Grammar School played Ballyclare High School and won this high scoring, close encounter by 28-24.
The Limavady Grammar School team had built up an 18-12 by the break.
Killian Brolly and Ben Moore each scored a first half try with James Laird adding one conversion, as well as two successful penalties.
The Ballyclare High School team first half scorers were Matthew Irvine and Lewis Flynn, each with one try, and Harry Thompson with one conversion.
An unconverted try from Joel Logan, early in the second half, brough the Ballyclare High School team to within one point of the Limavady Grammar School team with the scoreboard now reading Limavady Grammar School 18 Ballyclare High School 17.
However, an Odhran Clenaghan try, converted by James Laird, followed by a James Laird penalty, increased the Ballyclare High School lead to 28-17.
Following a flurry of activity, close to the Limavady Grammar School line in the final few minutes of the game, the Ballyclare High School team secured their fourth try of the game when Stuart Thompson touched down for the try which Harry Thompson converted.
This ensured the final scoreboard read Limavady Grammar School 28 Ballyclare High School 24 at the no side whistle.
Carrickfergus Grammar School hosted Banbridge Academy in a game the Banbridge Academy team won by 40-0.
The Carrickfergus Grammar School team put on a spirited performance with players such as Ellis Branagh, Adam Magill, Dawson Taylor and Joshua Oluwatula impressing throughout the game..
The Banbridge Academy points came through tries from Callum Little, Ryan Hanna, who touched down for a brace, as did Darragh Know, and Dan Hutchinson. Andrew Jackson was successful with five of his conversion kicks.
In Group F Coleraine Grammar School entertained their close neighbours from Dalriada School and, despite their best efforts, they could not prevent the Dalriada School team from coming away from the game with a 15-6 victory under their belts.
The Coleraine Grammar School team took an early 3-0 lead when Jordy McAuley converted a penalty opportunity.
Matthew Fox then gave the Dalriada School team a 5-3 lead when he ran in for an unconverted try.
Coleraine Grammar School pressure then forced the Dalriada defence into conceding a penalty, which was converted by Jordy McAuley, to see his team into a 6-5 lead.
Just before the interval, Paddy Crampsie touched down for a try, which Gabriel Stubbs -Carton converted, to see the Dalriada School team take a 12-6 lead at half time.
The second half was a real game of nip and tuck from both teams. The only points scored in the second half came through the trusty boot of Gabriel Stubbs-Carton who converted a penalty kick to secure the well-deserved 15-6 win for the Dalriada School team.
Regent House School played against Cambridge House Grammar School and the team was made to work hard for their 28-12 victory.
The Regent House School team scored four tries through Matthew Callaghan, Tom Bell, who touched down for two, and Evan McGonigle. Evan added the extras to one of the tries and was successful with two penalty kicks.
The Cambridge House Grammar School team scored two tries through Josh Dobbin and Justin Mark with Josh adding the conversion to one of his tries.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee was delighted to have had all twelve of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group Stage games played this week refereed by members of the USRFR.
As well as the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group Stage games, a number of 1stxv non cup games took place.
Methodist College, Belfast played the Stockport RFC U18 team and got back to winning ways with an impressive 52-0 victory.
Callum Largey, Ollie Berry, Michael Armstrong, with two, Joe Thompson and Harry Malangeni, with a hattrick, were the Methodist College try scorers. Jack Tindal had a fine morning off the tee with six successful conversion kicks.
Wallace High School played Belvedere College, Dublin at the Clonevin Park venue an recorded an impressive 25-12 victory against one of the top Leinster SCT Schools.
Carter Thompson, Alex Stevenson, Harry Lightbody and Rio McDonagh scored the Wallace High School tries with Quinn Armstrong adding one conversion as well as one penalty.
In response the Belvedere College team scored two tries, one of which was converted.
The next round of Danske Bank Ulster School’ Cup Group Stage games will take place on/before Saturday 18th November 2023.
Group A:
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School v Royal School, Armagh.
Lurgan College v Omagh Academy
Group B:
Dromore High School v Down High School
Friends’ School, Lisburn v Belfast High School
Group C:
Foyle and Londonderry College v Belfast Royal Academy
Grosvenor Grammar School v Rainey Endowed School
Group D:
Royal School, Dungannon v Bangor Grammar School
Portadown College v Larne Grammar School
Group E:
Banbridge Academy v Ballyclare High School Winner
Carrickfergus Grammar School v Limavady Grammar School
Group F:
Coleraine Grammar School v Regent House School
Dalriada School v Cambridge House Grammar School
The six group winners, and four best placed runners-up from the group stages, will qualify for the knockout stages of the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup and Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield.
The draw was made recently for the 1st round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup.
The result of the draw is as follows: –
Omagh Academy v Portadown College
Foyle and Londonderry College v Portadown College
Banbridge Academy v Larne Grammar School
Grosvenor Grammar School v Belfast High School
Dalriada School v Limavady Grammar School
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 11th November 2023.
The draw was made recently for the 1st Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield.
The result of the draw is as follows: –
Wellington College, Belfast v Bangor Academy
Ballymoney High School v Limavady Grammar School
Ballyclare Secondary School v Strabane Academy
Lurgan College v Bye
Belfast High School v Bye
Larne Grammar School v Bye
Cambridge House Grammar School v Bye
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 18th November 2023.
Danske Bank Schools’ Cup 2023 – Group Stages – Round 1 Results
Group A
Team P W D L TB LB F A Pts
Enniskillen Royal GS 1 1 0 0 1 0 45 5 5
RS Armagh 1 1 0 0 1 0 36 0 5
Omagh Academy 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 36 0
Lurgan College 1 0 0 1 0 0 5 45 0
Round 1 (Wednesday 18th October 2023):
RS Armagh 36 (6) – 0 Omagh Academy
Round 1 (Saturday 21st October 2023):
Enniskillen Royal GS 45 (7) – 5 (1) Lurgan College
Round 2 (Saturday 18th November 2023):
Enniskillen Royal GS v RS Armagh
Lurgan College v Omagh Academy
Round 3 (Saturday 9th December 2023):
Lurgan College v RS Armagh
Omagh Academy v Enniskillen Royal GS
Group B
Team P W D L TB LB F A Pts
Down HS 1 1 0 0 1 0 40 0 5
Friends’ School 1 1 0 0 0 0 22 17 4
Dromore HS 1 0 0 1 0 1 17 22 1
Belfast HS 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 40 0
Round 1 (Saturday 21st October 2023):
Friends’ School 22 (3) – 17 (3) Dromore HS
Belfast HS 0 (0) – 40 (4+) Down HS
Round 2 (Saturday 18th November 2023):
Dromore HS v Down HS
Friends’ School v Belfast HS
Round 3 (Saturday 9th December 2023):
Dromore HS v Belfast HS
Down HS v Friends’ School
Group C
Team P W D L TB LB F A Pts
Foyle College 1 1 0 0 0 0 20 5 4
Belfast Royal Academy 1 1 0 0 0 0 28 20 4
Rainey ES 1 0 0 1 0 0 20 28 0
Grosvenor GS 1 0 0 1 0 0 5 20 0
Round 1 (Saturday 21st October 2023):
Belfast Royal Academy 28 (3) – 20 (3) Rainey ES
Foyle College 20 (2) – 5 (1) Grosvenor GS
Round 2 (Saturday 18th November 2023):
Foyle College v Belfast Royal Academy
Grosvenor GS v Rainey ES
Round 3 (Saturday 9th December 2023):
Belfast Royal Academy v Grosvenor GS
Rainey ES v Foyle College
Group D
Team P W D L TB LB F A Pts
Larne GS 1 1 0 0 1 0 36 5 5
Portadown College 1 1 0 0 0 0 20 10 4
RS Dungannon 1 0 0 1 0 0 10 20 0
Bangor GS 1 0 0 1 0 0 5 36 0
Round 1 (Saturday 21st October 2023):
Portadown College 20 (3) – 10 (2) RS Dungannon
Larne GS 36 (5) – 5 (1) Bangor GS
Round 2 (Saturday 18th November 2023):
RS Dungannon v Bangor GS
Portadown College v Larne GS
Round 3 (Saturday 9th December 2023):
Larne GS v RS Dungannon
Bangor GS v Portadown College
Group E
Team P W D L TB LB F A Pts
Banbridge Academy 1 1 0 0 1 0 40 0 5
Limavady GS 1 1 0 0 0 0 28 24 4
Ballyclare HS 1 0 0 1 1 1 24 28 2
Carrickfergus GS 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 40 0
Round 1 (Saturday 21st October 2023):
Limavady GS 28 (3) – 24 (4) Ballyclare HS
Carrickfergus GS 0 (0) – 40 (4+) Banbridge Academy
Round 2 (Saturday 18th November 2023):
Banbridge Academy v Ballyclare HS
Carrickfergus GS v Limavady GS
Round 3 (Saturday 9th December 2023):
Ballyclare HS v Carrickfergus GS
Banbridge Academy v Limavady GS
Group F
Team P W D L TB LB F A Pts
Regent House 1 1 0 0 1 0 28 12 5
Dalriada School 1 1 0 0 0 0 15 6 4
Coleraine GS 1 0 0 1 0 0 6 15 0
Cambridge House 1 0 0 1 0 0 12 28 0
Round 1 (Saturday 21st October 2023):
Coleraine GS 6 (0) – 15 (?) Dalriada School
Regent House 28 (4) – 12 (2) Cambridge House
Round 2 (Saturday 18th November 2023):
Coleraine GS v Regent House
Dalriada School v Cambridge House
Round 3 (Saturday 9th December 2023):
Cambridge House v Coleraine GS
Dalriada School v Regent House
The six group winners and four best placed runners-up from the group stages will qualify for the knockout stages of the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup and Subsidiary Shield. At this stage, they will be joined by the six Tier 1 teams:
Ballymena Academy
Campbell College Belfast Methodist College Belfast
Royal Belfast Academical Institution Sullivan Upper School
Wallace High School
