Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 29th January 2022
On Tuesday 25th January Omagh Academy and Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock met in the replay of their drawn Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/4 Final game at the recently refurbished Campsie Playing Fields.
The Omagh Academy Medallion team defeated Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock by 18-0 and will now travel to play Strabane Academy in the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy on Saturday 5th February.
On Wednesday 26th Strabane Academy hosted Friends’ School, Lisburn in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield and it was the Friends’ School team that came away with a 29-14 victory.
The Strabane Academy team took an early 3-0 lead when they converted a penalty opportunity through David Hampton. Ruairi Doyle then scored an unconverted try for the Friends’ School team to see them into a 5-3 lead. Another unconverted try, this time from Alex Murphy, gave the Friends’ School team a 10-3 midway through the first half. Two Alex Topping tries, one of which was converted by Paddy Moore, saw the Friends’ School, Lisburn team into a 22-3 lead at the break.
The Strabane Academy team pressurized the Friends’ School team for long periods in the second half. The Friends’ School defence conceded a number of penalties and David Hampton and Jamie Toland converted two of them which, along with an unconverted try from John Cummings, saw the Strabane Academy team reduce their deficit to 22-14. However, close to the full-time whistle, a hattrick try from “Man of the Match” Alex Topping, which was converted by Paddy Moore, secured the 29-14 win for the Friends’ School, Lisburn team at the end of this entertaining game.
The first of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup semi-finals took place when Bangor Academy 1stxv played Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4th xv. This game finished as a 15-15 draw and will be replayed not later than Wednesday 2nd February.
Also, on Wednesday 26th January, one Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 1/4 Final game took place.
Wallace High School 3rdxv hosted Foyle and Londonderry College 3rdxv and The Wallace High School team had to work hard before they emerged as 36-19 winners.
On Thursday 27th January a Foyle and Londonderry College “Mid School Select” xv played a North West Clubs’ xv in a game that ensured both teams were able to use extended squads in an effort to give all the players involved maximum pitch time.
On Saturday 29th January eight Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round games took place.
Ballyclare High School played Royal School, Armagh and came through a very closely contested game as 8-7 winners.
The Ballyclare High School team took an early 5-0 lead when James Spence crossed the whitewash for unconverted try.
The Royal School, Armagh team responded positively and took a 7-5 lead when Sam Cunningham ran in for a try which was converted by Matthew Monaghan. Despite the best efforts of the Ballyclare High School attack, the Royal School, Armagh team held their 7-5 lead until the interval.
The only thing separating the teams in the second half of the game was an Alex Darragh penalty which was sufficient to secure the 8-7 victory for the Ballyclare High School team.
A very young Ballymena Academy team, with only four Year 14 starters, played Coleraine Grammar School in a game that proved to be a closely contested affair before the Ballymena Academy emerged as 19-14 winners.
The Ballymena Academy team put in a first half performance, playing into the wind, that really laid the foundations for their hard-earned victory. Following a well-worked maul from a lineout, Callum Mustoe touched down for an unconverted try to give his team a 5-0 lead. This became 8-0 when Tristan Ferguson converted a penalty opportunity, conceded by the Coleraine Grammar School defence, following a period of Ballymena Academy pressure.
The Coleraine GS team responded positively and reduced their deficit to 8-7 when Jacob Lennox showed a clean pair of heels to the opposition defence and touched down for the try to which Rory Telfer added the extras.
The Ballymena Academy attack then got into full flow and, just before the break, Marshall Robinson barged his way over the Coleraine line to touch down for an unconverted try and see his team into a 13-7 lead at the break.
The second half proved to be something of a scrappy affair with both teams guilty of turning over possession at critical times. A well taken drop goal from Tristan Ferguson put the Ballymena Academy team into a 16-7 lead.
The Coleraine Grammar School team, with Paddy Irwin to the fore, then turned the Ballymena Academy ball carrier over and launched a counter attack from deep. The end result saw Rory Telfer touch down for a try, to which he added the conversion, and reduce the arrears to 16-14 going into the final ten minutes of the game.
The Ballymena Academy team launched another series of attacks and, following one such attack, forced the Coleraine Grammar School defence into conceding a penalty. Up stepped Tristan Ferguson to coolly slot the kick, above the crossbar and between the uprights, to secure the 19-14 victory for the Ballymena Academy team.
Campbell College, Belfast played Down High School and won the game by 40-7. As well as a penalty try, the Campbell College team scored six unconverted tries through Cameron Hillis, Zac Solomon, who scored a brace, Lukas Kenny, Mattie Rae and Oli McCauley. Peter Cave was successful with one penalty kick.
The Down High School team scored a try through Finnian Cross which was converted by Ross Graham.
Dromore High School played Regent House School in a game the Dromore High School won by 26-5.
The Dromore High School team had built up a 14-0 lead by the break through tries from Nathan Hook and Taylor Beacom-Hurle, both of which were converted by Nathan Hook.
In the second half the Dromore High School team extended that lead to 21-0 when Max Brush ran in for a try which was converted by Nathan Hook.
The Regent House School team got some reward for their endeavours throughout the game when Luke Megarity touched down for an unconverted try to reduce the arrears to 21-7.
However, the Dromore High School team had the final say in the game. Taylor Beacom-Hurle touched down for his second try of the game, once again converted by Nathan Hook, to secure the 28-5 victory for the Dromore High School team.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School played Methodist College, Belfast and it was the Methodist College team that made the journey home having recorded a 31-0 victory.
The Methody team scored five tries through Barry White, Josh McAdam, Josh Stevens, Joe Dickson and Ben McFarlane. Ben was also successful with three of his conversion kicks.
Foyle and Londonderry College played Sullivan Upper School and made the Sullivan Upper team work hard before they eventually returned to Holywood having won the game by 10-3.
Adam Killeen kicked a penalty goal for the Foyle College team.
The Sullivan Upper School team scores came through a try from Rory Carson and a conversion and penalty from Harry McKeown.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution played Omagh Academy in an entertaining game from which the Belfast Inst team emerged as 38-15 winners.
The Belfast Inst team scored five tries through Jack Parkinson, Jamie Beattie, Josh Eagleson, Conor McGrath and Andrew Hamill. Josh Eagleson capped a “Man of the Match” performance with five successful conversions as well as one successful penalty.
The Omagh Academy team brought a great commitment to the game and scored two tries through Reece Braden and Alex Colhoun with Andrew Johnston adding one conversion as well as a penalty.
Wallace High School hosted Royal School, Dungannon and the Wallace High School team was made to work hard before running out as 27-7 winners.
The Royal School, Dungannon team took an early 7-0 lead when James Girvan touched down for a try which was converted by Jacob Clarke.
The Wallace High School team responded immediately with a try from Cameron Doak which was converted by Matthew Halliday. The Wallace High School team then took a 14-7 when they were awarded a penalty try. Just before the break the Wallace score was increased to 17-7 when the impressive Matthew Halliday converted a penalty kick.
Matthew did likewise just after the restart to see his team into a 20-7 lead.
The Royal School, Dungannon team really lifted their game at this stage with their back division able to launch a series of attacks. Adam Scott, James Girvan and Jacob Clarke all impressed with the ball in hand and, but for a number of misplaced final passes, the score line may have read differently. As it was the Wallace High School team secured their 27-7 victory when, close to the end of the game, Aaron Bailie touched down for a try which was converted by Matthew Halliday.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Finals the game involving Belfast High School and Dalriada School was postponed until Wednesday 2nd February.
Belfast Royal Academy entertained Bangor Grammar School in a game the Bangor Grammar School team won by 21-5.
Oliver Smyth scored the consolation unconverted try for the Bangor Grammar School team.
The Bangor Grammar School team scored three tries through Rory Christie, Ben Gibson and Frazer Fulton. Ben Gibson was successful with all three of his conversion kicks.
Grosvenor Grammar School hosted Banbridge Academy and recorded a relatively comfortable 26-10 victory.
The Banbridge Academy team took an early 5-0 lead when their scrum half, Noah Miles, touched down for an unconverted try.
The Grosvenor Grammar School team responded with three tries, two of which were converted, to take a 19-5 lead into the break.
Ten minutes into the second half this lead was extended to 26-5 when the Grosvenor Grammar School team scored another converted try.
The Banbridge Academy team, for whom Dylan Stewart and Marcus McNeill played superbly well, scored the final points of the game when Marcus scored an unconverted try.
Rainey Endowed School played Limavady Grammar School and recorded a well-deserved 17-5 win
The Rainey Endowed team scored three tries with Adam Montgomery, Ben Brown and Odhran Harney each touching down for one try. Louis Regan was successful with one conversion.
Benjamin Howe scored the consolation unconverted try for the Limavady Grammar School team.
In the remaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Finals Carrickfergus Grammar School played Lurgan College and it was the Lurgan College team that emerged from this entertaining game as 41-19 winners.
Sam Daniels, Robbie McMinn and Tom Kennedy scored the Carrickfergus Grammar School tries with Ethan Law adding two successful conversions.
Peter Bird, with two, Charlie Williamson, with two, Angus Cunningham, Andrew Watters, Matthew Conn and Luke Harrison were the Lurgan College try scorers. Peter Bird was also successful with three of his conversion kicks.
Larne Grammar School hosted Portadown College and it was the Portadown College team that came away with a 31-10 victory.
The Larne Grammar School team, for whom Stuart McAllister and Charlie Patterson impressed, was awarded a penalty try with Roin Wynn converting one penalty.
Jamie Jackson, with two, Jack Gilpin, Ethan Hodgson and Ben Lewis scored the Portadown College tries. Adam Neill was successful with three of his conversion
When the results of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl quarter-final and Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy quarter-final games were known, the draws for the quarter-finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and Subsidiary Shield, as well as the semi-finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl and Trophy competitions, were made.
The draw for the Quarter-Final games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup was made by Annette Huston, Danske Bank Branch Manager, Donegall Square South, and Dr David Burnett, Principal, Royal School, Dungannon.
The results of these draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-finals.
1/Campbell College, Belfast v Dromore High School
2/Sullivan Upper School v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
3/Wallace High School v Ballymena Academy
4/Ballyclare High School v Methodist College, Belfast
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 12th February
The draw for the Quarter-Final games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield was made by Annette Huston, Danske Bank Branch Manager, Donegall Square South, and Mr David Atkinson, Vice-Principal, Wallace High School.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield quarter-finals.
1/Regent House School v Royal School, Armagh
2/Enniskillen Royal Grammar School v Royal School, Dungannon
3/Down High School v Omagh Academy
4/Coleraine Grammar School v Foyle and Londonderry College
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 12th February
The draw for the Semi-Final games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl was made by Annette Huston, Danske Bank Branch Manager, Donegall Square South, and Mr David Cleland, Vice-Principal, Wallace High School.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl semi-finals.
1/Belfast High School/Dalriada School v Grosvenor Grammar School
2/Rainey Endowed School v Bangor Grammar School
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 12th February
The draw for the Semi-Final games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy was made by Annette Huston, Danske Bank Branch Manager, Donegall Square South, and former North of Ireland RFC player and current Senior Teacher at Wallace High School, Dr Jonny Reid.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy semi-finals.
1/Lurgan College v Cambridge House Grammar School.
2/Friends’ School, Lisburn v Portadown College.
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 12th February
In the second of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup semi-finals the game involving Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv and Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv was postponed until Wednesday 2nd February
In the two remaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate quarter-finals the game involving Royal School, Armagh 4thxv and Ballyclare High School 3rdxv was postponed until Wednesday 2nd February as was the game featuring Down High School 3rdxv and Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv. Meanwhile the game involving Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv v Royal School, Armagh 3rdxv was postponed until Saturday 5th February.
Despite these unavoidable postponements the draw took place for the semi-finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate.
The results of the draw are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate semi-finals
1/Royal School, Armagh 4thxv/Ballyclare High School 3rdxv v Wallace High School 3rdxv
2/Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv/Royal School, Armagh 3rdxv v Down High School 3rdxv/Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv.
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 12th February
