The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final was played at Ravenhill on Monday 18th March when Royal Belfast Academical Institution met Methodist College, Belfast for the 14th time in a Schools’ Cup Final.
Methodist College secured their 34th Danske Bank Schools’ Cup success, a fourth in six years, with a 20-5 win over Belfast rivals RBAI in the final.
Josh Bingham scored a try in each half for Methody, with Conor Kelly also touching down in reply to an opening score from Inst captain, Josh Atkinson.
Both sides showed signs of nerves early on with a few spilt passes and overcooked kicks to touch. Playing with a slight wind advantage in the first half, RBAI looked dangerous and Josh Atkinson scored down the blindside following a slick pass from his scrumhalf Connor Young. Centre, Nathan Brown, was off target with his conversion attempt but his side were now five points to the good.
CLICK HERE for pictures
Methody responded with long periods of pressure and their forward dominance was starting to show, with captain, Ross Kane, and number 8, James Gallagher, carrying well. However, their excellent ball retention was well matched by the abrasive Inst defence.
RBAI suffered a double blow when Josh Atkinson limped off with an ankle injury after twenty eight minutes and Methody levelled the scores just two minutes later. After a series of drives close to the fringes, the point of attack was shifted one out and the Methody outhalf, Josh Bingham darted over. The same player was unable to add the extras and then failed with a drop goal attempt right on the stroke of half time to leave the score board reading 5-5 at the interval.
Methody asserted further control after the interval and were rewarded for their endeavours after forty two minutes. A neat backline move gave the ball to right wing Rudi Benade and his excellent footwork and strong fend allowed him to transfer the ball to Conor Kelly who ran in under the posts. Josh Bingham landed the simple conversion to extend the Methody lead to 12-5. Josh then went on to extend the Methody lead to 15-5 when he converted a penalty opportunity following an RBAI infringement at a ruck.
Shortly after this, James Gallagher and Rudi Benade linked down the blind side and with Methody in possession just metres short of the try line, RBAI scrumhalf, Connor Young, was sin binned for a ruck infringement. But Methody also struggled with their discipline at times and Inst fullback, Fraser Wright, kept his side clear of danger.
That was until the sixty seventh minute when Marc Campbell made a break and his grubber kick was collected by Josh Bingham who won the foot race to touch down for a try. James Gallagher sent his touchline conversion attempt wide of the posts but his team now had a 20-5 lead.
RBAI threw everything at the Methody defence in the dying minutes but good Methody defence ensured the final score read 20-5 in favour of the Methodist College team.
The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield took place at Ravenhill on Wednesday 20th March when Belfast Royal Academy lost by 19-5 to Campbell College , Belfast.
CLICK HERE for pictures
The Campbell College team started well and put pressure on the Belfast Royal Academy defence. Harry Howard, Rob Haldane, Josh Fullerton and Calum Holland were all asking questions of the Academy defence and it came as no surprise when Calum Holland sent Josh Fullerton in for a try under the Academy posts with just minutes of the game played. Rob Haldane converted the try to give his team a 7-0 lead. Campbell College continued to attack at every opportunity but the Belfast Royal Academy team competed well and denied the Campbell team any further try scoring opportunities in the first half.
Indeed, the Academy team, with Stuart Martin, Daniel Dass, Daniel McFadden and Angelo Marcia getting through a lot of work in the pack, took the game to Campbell. Jordan Carlisle and Mark Wylie looked dangerous in attack and the Campbell team had to dig deep into their defensive reserves to ensure their line remained intact before the interval.
With the half time score reading 7-0 in favour of the Campbell College team, there was still a lot to play for in the second half. Eight minutes into the second half, Jordan Hylton found himself totally clear to the Campbell College line. Somehow, Jordan was unable to ground the ball and the referee awarded his BRA team an attacking 5 metre scrum. From the ensuing series of play, his fellow winger, David Campbell, showed how to finish off when he ran in for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the BRA team had reduced the arrears to 7-5.
Both teams had opportunities to score but neither did until the twenty first minute of the second half when Harry Howard skipped past Jordan Hylton to touch down for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Campbell College team had now a 12-5 lead.
The BRA team through everything into attack but the Campbell team defended valiantly.
With the last play of the game, the Campbell College captain, Rob Haldane, scored a fine individual try which he converted to ensure a Campbell College victory of this exciting game by 19-5.
Rob went on to receive the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield from mr John Kinnear, Junior Vice President of the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. Mrs Nicola Wylie, representing the Danske Bank, presented Subsidiary Shield medals to all the players as well as the match officials.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup, Royal Belfast Academical Institution defeated Campbell College, Belfast by 14-3 in a game played at Pirrie on Tuesday 19th.
CLICK HERE for pictures
With the Belfast Inst pack in the ascendancy, Cameron Black kicked two first half penalties, to give the Inst team a 6-0 lead at the break.
Cameron added a third penalty early in the second half before Kashmir Yandell kicked a penalty for the Campbell team to reduce the arrears to 9-3. The Belfast Inst team sealed victory with a try from Callum Blundell. The conversion kick was missed but it the Belfast Inst team that received the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup from Mr Gerry Drennan, an Ulster Branch member of the IRFU.
Both schools would like to thank the Methodist College, Belfast for the use of their pristine paddock pitch and for hosting this final.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate semi-finals are due to be played on Thursday 21st March when Ashfield Boys’ School will host Royal School, Armagh. The Sullivan Upper v Ballymena Academy game was postponed on Monday 18th and will now be played on Monday 8th April. It is hoped to play the final of this competition on Wednesday 10th April. (Venue TBC)
In the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate, Coleraine AI defeated Friends’ School, Lisburn by 34-0. Coleraine AI will now play Ballymena Academy in the final. This final is scheduled to take place at Coleraine AI on Friday 22nd March at 2-00pm
