The first of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Final was played on Wednesday 27th February at Stevenson Park, home of Dungannon Rugby Football Club, when Banbridge Academy met Portora Royal School. The Portora team had won the Ulster Schools’ Trophy in recent seasons but this was the first time a Banbridge Academy team had featured in the Schools’ Trophy Final.
The Banbridge team settled into the game very quickly and took a 3-0 lead when Aaron Kennedy converted a penalty opportunity after just three minutes of the game. The Portora team recovered well and took play deep into Banbridge Academy territory. Good work involving both forwards and backs enabled the Portora team to pressurise the Banbridge Academy line but the Banbridge defence was well-organised. Their backrow trio of David McKeown, Ethan Harbinson and Rory Carson was clever at the breakdown and combined to turn Portora RS ball over on a number of occasions. Eventually the danger was cleared and the Banbridge team could afford to miss a number of penalty opportunities before they scored their first try of the game. Gareth Liggett cut a great line from a midfield position to touch down for an unconverted try to give his team an 8-0 lead midway through the first half. Back came Portora but the loss of Gary Thornton to injury seemed to impact on their game plan. Close to the interval they had the chance to reduce the arrears but a penalty kick attempt was missed. The Portora team could not find a way through the Banbridge defence despite the best efforts of players such as John Clarke, James Stevenson and Matthew Coalter and the score remained at 8-0 in favour of the Banbridge team at half time.
Five minutes into the second half the Banbridge Academy team extended their lead when right winger, Nathan McKinley ran in for an excellent try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Co Down boys now had a 13-0 lead. Two minutes later, Nathan, once again, displayed his strong running skills to get away from a despairing Portora defence and finish off with another try. Daniel McElderry was successful with his conversion kick to put his team into a deserved 20-0 lead. The Portora team responded in a positive manner and pressed for a try on the Banbridge Academy line. However, they were held up on a number of occasions and knocked on in the in-goal area. It was not to be their day! The final few minutes saw the Banbridge Academy team seal the game when replacement players, Noel Proctor and Jack Wilson, scored one try each. Aaron Kennedy converted one of the tries to leave the Banbridge Academy team as 32-0 winners of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy.
After the game, Mir Ian H Graham, Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee, congratulated both teams on their performance during the game. He thanked the coaching teams from both schools as well as the competition sponsors, the Danske Bank. Dungannon Rugby Club has hosted a number of Schools’ Finals in recent seasons and the sterling work done by Harold Walker, David Wishart and WJ McKenzie in hosting these games at the club was recognised by Mr Graham.
Finally, Danske Bank representative, Mr Patrick Mullan, presented the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy medals to all the players and the Trophy to David McKeown, the Banbridge Academy captain.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv competition, Methodist College, Belfast defeated Sullivan Upper by 26-7.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate competition, Rainey Endowed School defeated Dromore High School by 24-12.
