Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 22nd February 2020
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There was one Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield 1/4 Final replay on Tuesday 18th February when Wallace High School played Belfast Royal Academy. The first game finished as a 3-3 draw and, following another close encounter, it was the Belfast Royal Academy team that emerged as 5-3 winners at the end of this replay game.
On Saturday 22nd February there were four Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/4 Final games, four Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield 1/4 Final games as well as two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl and Trophy 1/2 Final games scheduled to be played.
Ballymena Academy played Royal School, Armagh in a very close encounter that the Royal School, Armagh team won by 17-14.
The game was played in difficult windy conditions and both teams probably played better into the wind. Romain Morrow put the RS Armagh team into a 3-0 lead with an early penalty kick. Ross McKay levelled the scores at 3-3 when he converted a penalty opportunity shortly afterwards. The Royal School, Armagh team then took a 10-3 lead when Jude Roberts touched down for a try which was converted by Romain Morrow. The Ballymena Academy team responded positively to that set back and reduced their arrears to 10-8 when Paul Gocher finished off a flowing attack by touching down for an unconverted try in the corner. Back came the Armagh team and they extended their lead to 17-8 when Sam Rainey romped over for a try which Romain Morrow converted. Just before the break a second Ross McKay penalty left the scoreboard reading Ballymena Academy 11 Royal School, Armagh 17.
The second half saw the Ballymena Academy team playing into the wind and they controlled possession and territory for long periods of time. Another Ross McKay penalty reduced their deficit to 17-14 and the Royal School, Armagh team now had to defend their line. The Ballymena Academy team launched a series of attacks deep in RS Armagh territory but the visitors defended very well. Despite Ballymena Academy coming close to scoring on a number of occasions the well-organised Royal School, Armagh defence held out and ensured they finished the game as 17-14 winners.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution played Friends’ School, Lisburn in a game the Belfast Inst team dominated from the outset. The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team won the game by 52-12 and scored seven tries in the process. Hugo Ellerby, Jude Postlethwaite, Oliver Metcalfe, Joshua Cuthbert, Jack Leathem, Rory Adair and Ronan Boyle scored the tries to which Ronan added all seven conversions as well as one penalty.
The Friends’ School, Lisburn points came from tries scored by Fergus McEwen and Stuart Patterson with one conversion from Reece Malone.
Wallace High School hosted Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and won the game by 19-10. The Wallace High School team scored three tries through Cameron Doak, Finn Rankin and Peter Heasley. Nathan Doak was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School points came through two tries from their impressive No 8, Callum Smyton.
Methodist College, Belfast played Sullivan Upper School in very cold and blustery conditions at Pirrie Park. Both teams worked hard throughout the game before the Methody team emerged as 15-5 winners. The Methody team scored three unconverted tries through team captain, Adam Reid, Adam McNamee and Callum Davidson.
The Sullivan Upper School points came through an unconverted try from Zac Moraghan.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Down High School played Belfast Royal Academy in a game the Down High School team won by 17-14.
The Down High School points came through an unconverted try from Joe Charles, a penalty try and an unconverted try from Jonny Graham.
The Belfast Royal Academy team scored two tries through Malachi Swen and Lee Russell. Ollie Parkes was successful with both of his conversion kicks.
Coleraine Grammar School hosted Grosvenor Grammar School in a very close contest the Coleraine Grammar School team won by 20-19. The Coleraine Grammar School team scored four unconverted tries through Harry Toner, Mark Lamont, Cameron Wallace and Harry Mitchell.
The Grosvenor Grammar School team scored three tries through Rhys Worthington, who touched down twice, and Alistair Norton. Adam Moore was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
Ballyclare High School played Bangor Grammar School in a game the Bangor Grammar School team won by 17-10.
The Bangor Grammar School team took a 5-0 lead when Patrick Dobie touched down for an unconverted try. The Ballyclare High School team responded with two unconverted tries from Adam Barron and Alex Darragh to take a 10-5 lead into the half time break.
The second half saw the Bangor Grammar School team make better use of any possession they had. Cameron Stewart and Conor Lusty each scored a try which alongside one conversion from Angus Christie secured the 17-10 win for the Bangor Grammar school team.
Cambridge House Grammar School and Campbell College, Belfast were to have played their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield game under the lights at Eaton Park. Unfortunately the game had to be postponed and has been re-organised for Wednesday 26th at 3-00pm.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl semi-final the game involving Belfast High School and Banbridge Academy was postponed. It will now take place on Wednesday 26th at 2-00pm.
Limavady Grammar School hosted Dromore High School in a game the Dromore High School team won by 17-3.
The Limavady Grammar School team kicked a penalty from Joshua Howe.
The Dromore High School points came through tries from Adam Mulligan, Reuben Turner and Adam Whitten to which Luke Allison added one conversion.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy semi-finals Royal School, Dungannon played Omagh Academy and, following a very closely contested game, it was the Royal School, Dungannon team that came through as 18-17 winners.
Jack Girvan and Logan McIlravie scored the tries for the Royal School, Dungannon team to which Jack added two penalties as well as one conversion,.
The Omagh Academy team, for whom Alex Clements, Scott Wilson and Jack Moore impressed, scored two tries through Matthew Hunter Reece Braden to which Jake Reid added two conversions as well as one penalty.
Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock and Larne Grammar School were to have played at the Shaw’s Bridge Sports Complex but the game was postponed. It has been re-scheduled for Wednesday 26th at 3-00pm.
Following all the results coming through the draws were made for the Semi-Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and the Semi-Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield. The draws were organised by Richard Clingan, Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Committee.
Richard was assisted with the draws by Mr Scott Naismith, Principal of Methodist College, Belfast, former King’s Scholars, Dungannon, Ulster and Ireland Legend, Willie Anderson, and Chris Webster, Head of Rugby Development for Ulster Rugby.
Willie and Richard did the draw for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup semi-finals and Mr Naismith and Richard did the draws for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield semi-finals.
The results of the draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Semi-Finals
1/Royal School, Armagh v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
2/Wallace High School v Methodist College, Belfast
The first team drawn out will have use of the Home Changing Rooms at the Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th March when the semi-final games take place.
The winners of Game No 1 will have use of the Home Changing Room at the Kingspan Stadium at the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final on March 17th.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Semi-Finals
1/Bangor Grammar School v Down High School
2/Coleraine Grammar School v Cambridge House Grammar School/Campbell College, Belfast
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield semi-finals are scheduled to take place on/before Saturday 7th March 2020.
