Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 4th March 2023
On Tuesday 28th February the first of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup semi-final games took place when Methodist College, Belfast played Campbell College, Belfast at the Kingspan Stadium.
The game was played in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters who witnessed the Campbell College, Belfast team emerge as convincing 31-10 winners.
The first half was evenly contested with the Methody team taking an early 3-0 lead with a penalty from Ben McFarlane.
The Campbell College team then ran in for the first try of the game when, following a flowing attack, Harry Ralston took advantage of good work from Matt Rae and Matthew Booth to score in the corner. Matt Rae added the extras to see his team into a 7-3 lead midway through the first half.
The Methodist College team then took advantage of quick possession following a number of phases close to the Campbell College line. Daivd Armstrong was on hand to snipe for the line and touch down for a try. Ben McFarlane converted the try to see the Methodist College team into a 10-7 lead at the interval.
The Campbell College team started the second half strongly and, just three minutes into the second half, Matt Rae touched down for an unconverted try to see his team into a 12-10 lead. This became 17-10 when Matt Rae and James McConnell combined to send Matthew Booth in for an unconverted try. In the final few minutes of the game the Campbell College team sealed their impressive 31-14 victory when Matthew Booth and Joe Jeffrey touched down for tries with Matt Rae converting both.
On Wednesday 1st March the second of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup semi-final s took place when Royal Belfast Academical Institution played Wallace High School.
The Wallace High School team stormed into an early first quarter 14-0 lead when Quinn Armstrong and William Sproule took advantage of good work from Sam Warwick to touch down for tries. With accuracy off the tee Charlie Beattie added the conversions to both.
On 26 minutes the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team had their first venture into the Wallace High School Red Zone. They had kicked a penalty to the corner and, following good from Bryn Ward and Jacob Boyd, James Clarke touched down for an unconverted try. No further scores left the scoreboard reading Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5 Wallace High School 14 at the break.
Four minutes after the restart James Hilman took advantage of a misalignment in the Wallace defence and touched down for a try. Josh Eagleson added the conversion to see the Belfast Inst deficit reduced to 14-12.
Bryn Ward then got in on the try scoring act with a powerful carry which finished with him surging over the whitewash for a try. Josh Eagleson added the conversion to see the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team take a 19-14 lead.
Daniel Moore then took advantage of another powerful Bryn Ward run. Bryn was tackled just short of the line but Daniel was on hand to pick the ball up and drive over the line for a try. Josh Eagleson added another successful conversion to see his team into a 26-14 lead.
With just five minutes on the clock Flynn Morrow secured the 31-14 victory for the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team when he was sent clear on an overlap run to touch down for an unconverted try.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final will see Campbell College, Belfast play Royal Belfast Academical Institution at the Kingspan Stadium on Friday 17th March at 3-00pm.
On Saturday 4th March Portadown College played Cambridge House Grammar School in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy which was held on an immaculate pitch at Wallace High School.
The supporters from both Portadown College and Cambridge House Grammar School created a real cup final atmosphere and the players from both teams reacted positively by displaying both great skills and commitment throughout the game.
The Portadown College team won the game by 34-14 having been 19-0 ahead at the break.
Tries from Max Boyce, Nathan Thornton and Tyler Jackson, with one conversion from John Speers, saw the Portadown College team into their 19-0 half time lead,
The second half saw the Cambridge House School team gain more in terms of territory as well as possession. They got some reward for their endeavours with two tries from Jacob Oliver as well as two conversions from Deane Agnew.
Portadown College then scored two second half tries through John Speers and Bobby Newell. One conversion, as well as one penalty from John Speers, secured the 34-14 victory for the Portadown College team.
After the final whistle, Paul Magee representing the Ulster Branch, presented the medals to players from both teams and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy to Scott Craig, captain of the victorious Portadown College team.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Committee is grateful to Neil Hinds, Alan Monteith and the Wallace High School ground staff for all they did in hosting the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy final on such an excellent pitch.
At the Royal Belfast Academical Institution U14 Tournament twenty teams from Antrim Grammar School, Ballyclare High School, Ballymena Academy, Banbridge Academy, Belfast Royal Academy, Campbell College, Belfast, Clongowes Wood College, Coleraine Grammar School, Dalriada School, Dromore High School, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Grosvenor Grammar School, Killicomaine Junior High School, Methodist College, Belfast, Royal School, Armagh, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Regent House School, Sullivan Upper School, Terenure College and Wallace High School took part.
The teams were divided into four groups of five with each team playing four group stage games.
The first teams in each group played in the Cup semi-finals, second teams in each group played in the Plate semi-finals, third teams in each group played in the Trophy semi-finals and the fourth and fifth teams in each group played in the Bowl quarter and semi-finals.
At the end of an enjoyable morning’s U14 rugby the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team was awarded the Cup, Methodist College, Belfast was awarded the Plate, Dalriada School was awarded the Trophy and Enniskillen Royal Grammar School was awarded the Bowl.
Meanwhile, at Roughfort, the Belfast Royal Academy Year 8 Tournament took place with eight teams playing through a series of games for the Creighton/McCarey Trophy.
Year 8 teams from Ballyclare High School, Ballymena Academy, Belfast Royal Academy, Campbell College, Belfast, Dromore High School, Larne Grammar School, Methodist College, Belfast, Sullivan Upper School and Wallace High School all enjoyed a great morning’s 12-a-side rugby at the JC Picken Playing Fields so well prepared by Anton, the Head groundsman.
The final game of the morning, involving Methodist College, Belfast and Royal Belfast Academical Institution ended in an honourable draw so the Creighton/McCarey Cup was shared.
Wallace High School defeated Larne Grammar School to win the Creighton/McCarey Trophy and Ballyclare High School defeated Dromore High School to win the Creighton/McCarey Plate.
