Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 8th January 2022.
With all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup 3rd Round matches completed the draws for the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy, Plate and Cup competitions took place.
The results of these draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy 1/4 Finals
1/Limavady Grammar School v Royal School, Dungannon
2/Foyle and Londonderry College v Portadown College
3/Dromore High School v Regent House School
4/Lurgan College v Bangor Grammar School
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 22nd January 2022
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate 1/4 Finals
1/Omagh Academy v Dalriada School
2/Ballyclare High School v Friends’ School, Lisburn
3/Rainey Endowed School v Coleraine Grammar School
4/Sullivan Upper School v Royal School, Armagh
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 22nd January 2022
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/4 Finals
1/Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Ballymena Academy
2/Methodist College, Belfast v Wallace High School
3/Campbell College, Belfast v Belfast Royal Academy
4/Enniskillen Royal Grammar School v Down High School
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 22nd January 2022
On Monday 20th December Royal School, Armagh 2ndxv played the Ulster U18 Youth team in a game at the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt.
The Ulster Youth xv won the game by 25-15 with both teams scoring three tries.
The “Man of the Match” for the Ulster Youth team was the Monaghan RFC player, Ethan Graham who scored two tries.
The Royal School, Armagh 2ndxv scored their tries through Joshua Belvis, Matthew Maguire and Aaron Peilow
On Wednesday 22nd December Ballymena Academy played Dalriada School in a game the Ballymena Academy team won by 55-0.
The Ballymena Academy team scored nine tries with Connor Drain picking up a hat trick. Andrew Donald a brace and Matthew Connolly, Michael McLean, Jordan Millar and Lewis Mewgha each touching down for one. Tristan Ferguson was successful with five of his conversion kicks.
On Tuesday 28th December Belfast Royal Academy played Campbell College, Belfast in their traditional Christmas fixture. The Campbell College team put on a comprehensive display of attacking rugby and won the game by 48-0, scoring eight tries in the process.
Cal Florence touched down for two tries with Flynn Longstaff, Zac Solomon, Danny Graham, Oli McCauley, Cameron Faith and Luke Johnston each scoring one try. Peter Cave was successful with four of his conversion kicks.
On Wednesday 29th December Royal Belfast Academical Institution played Royal School, Armagh in a game the Belfast Inst team won by 29-10.
The first half was very evenly contested with the scoreboard reading 10-10 at the break.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution points, in the first half, came through unconverted tries from Jacob Edwards and Andrew Armstrong.
The Royal School, Armagh points came through a “pick and go” try from James Anderson and a conversion and penalty from Matthew Monaghan.
In the second half the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team scored three tries through Chris Beaumont, Jamie Beattie and Bryn Ward. Matthew Sweetlove and Adam Hawthorne were each successful with one conversion.
Wallace High School hosted Coleraine Grammar School Coleraine in a close encounter which the Wallace High School team won by 12-10. The game, played in very windy conditions, was well controlled by referee, Mark Orr, now in his 37th year of refereeing.
The Coleraine Grammar School team controlled most of the territory and possession in the course of the first half. They put in a very workmanlike performance and turned round at the break with a 10-0 lead through a penalty goal, as well as a try and conversion, from Rory Telfer.
The Wallace High School team displayed a great deal of bouncebackability in the course of the second half. They controlled most of the territory, as well as a great deal of possession, but had to wait until the final play of the game before securing their victory.
Midway through the half Cameron Doak charged over the Coleraine GS line to touch down for an unconverted try which reduced the Wallace HS deficit to 10-5. Wallace continued to mount attacks but the Coleraine Grammar School defence, with Rory Telfer and Noah Gordon impressing, was secure and nothing got past.
That was until the final play of the game when Matthew Crowe combined with Charlie Beattie and Matthew Halliday before touching down under the posts. Matthew Halliday added the conversion to secure the hard earned 12-10 victory for the Wallace High School team.
Dromore High School and Regent House School played a 1stxv friendly fixture under the floodlights at Dromore Rugby Club.
The Dromore High School team won this closely contested game by 15-12 and this was another game superbly refereed by the evergreen Mark Orr, officiating in his second schoolboy game in 36 hours, that went to the wire.
The Dromore High School team had built up a 5-0 lead by the interval with an unconverted try from Ethan Mount.
Early in the second half the Dromore High School team increased their lead to 10-0 when Ethan scored his second unconverted try of the game. The Regent House School team then responded positively and tries from Adam Finlay and Noah Greenhauld, one of which was converted by Zach Campbell, put them into a 12-10 lead going into the final stages of the game.
However, with just one minute of the game remaining, the Dromore High School team retained possession through sixteen phases of play enabling Kyle Stirling to run in for an unconverted try to secure the hard-earned 15-12 win for the Dromore High School team.
Both teams, and their coaches, would like to thank Dromore RFC for the use of the excellent floodlit pitch at the Barban Hill venue.
Omagh Academy hosted Rainey Endowed School in a 3×20 minute game which enabled both teams to use extended squads of players. Included in the Omagh Academy squad were Kimi Chambers and Ben Robinson who impressed with their performances during their 1stxv debuts.
At the end of the three sessions the final scoreboard read Omagh Academy 47 Rainey Endowed School 19.
The Omagh Academy team scored three tries in the first session with Reece Braden, who scored a try just after the kick off, Ben Henry, who ran in a try from deep in his own half, and Kenny McCormack, who scrambled over following a series of “pick and goes”, getting the touch downs. Andrew Johnston was successful with all three conversions.
The Rainey Endowed School team scored a first session try through Jonathan Kelso which was converted by Louis Regan.
Both teams made a number of changes at the start of the second session. Joshua Robinson showed great skill and awareness to run in an unconverted try for the Omagh Academy team to increase their lead to 26-7. This became 33-7 after Sam Beattie outwitted the Rainey Endowed defence to touch down for a try which Andrew Johnston converted.
The third session saw the Omagh Academy team extend their lead to 47-7 when Alister Crawford and Tyan Reid scored tries, one of which was converted by Andrew Johnston.
The Rainey Endowed School team then scored two tries close to the end of the game. Nathan Overend and Adam Montogomery scored the tries and Louis Regan added one conversion to see the final scoreboard reading Omagh Academy 47 Rainey Endowed School 19.
On Friday 31st December Friends’ School, Lisburn played Lurgan College in a high scoring game the Friends’ School team won by 36-24.
The Lurgan College team had taken an early 14-0 lead through tries from Angus Cunningham and Colin Williamson, both of which were converted by Peter Bird. The Friends’ School team came back with tries from Alex Murphy and Conor Harvey with one conversion from Paddy Moore. This saw the half time score reading Friends’ School, Lisburn 12 Lurgan College 14.
Early in the second half the Lurgan College lead extended to 19-12 when Peter Bird touched down for an unconverted try. Tries from Alex Topping and Alexander McKinley, one of which was converted by Paddy Moore, then gave the Friends’ School team a 24-19 lead. Another unconverted try from Peter Bird then drew the scores level at 24-24. In the final ten minutes of the game a try from Tom Rowlatt McCormack, converted by Paddy Moore, and a second unconverted try from Alexander McKinley, secured the hard-earned 36-24 victory for the Friends’ School, Lisburn team.
On Monday 3rd January Ballymena Academy played Wallace High School at Eaton Park in a closely contested game the Ballymena Academy team won by 14-7.
Tristan Ferguson was successful with three penalty goals for the Ballymena Academy team while Connor Drain ran in for an unconverted try.
The Wallace High School points came through a try from Noah McCluskey which was converted by Matthew Halliday.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School played Royal School, Dungannon and, despite going down by 7-0 early in the game, it was the Enniskillen RGS team which emerged as 27-12 winners at the no-side whistle.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team scored four tries through James Trotter, Ben McLaren, James Morrison and Harry Ingram. Tadhg Hambley added one penalty as well as two conversions.
The Royal School, Dungannon points came through tries from James Girvan, who converted the try, and Jacob Clarke, who touched down, close to the end of the game, for an unconverted try.
The game was played in very difficult conditions and both teams, as well as their coaches, were delighted to have had the opportunity to socialise after the game at a BBQ when Bacon Baps were the popular order of the day. Thanks are extended to all the good folk from Enniskillen Royal Grammar School who organised the BBQ.
On Wednesday 5th January one game took place in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy 1/4 Final when Dromore High School played Regent House School.
Following a closely contested game the Dromore High School team emerged as 19-14 winners.
At 1stxv level Banbridge Academy played Down High School in a game the Down High School team won by 35-12.
The Banbridge Academy points came through a brace of tries from their elusive winger, Dylan Stewart, one of which was converted by their impressive full back, Ryan Matthews.
The Down High School team scored five tries in the course of the game. Rory Wilson capped a “Man of the Match” performance with a hattrick of tries while Jonathan Frazer and Rhodri Phillips each ran in for one try. Ross Graham was very accurate off the tee with five successful conversions.
On Saturday 8th January various Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion competition games were played.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy competition Omagh Academy played Belfast High School and won the game by 15-10
Royal School, Dungannon went through to the 1/4 Final stage of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy following the outcome of the game against Lurgan College.
Wellington College, Belfast played Foyle and Londonderry College and the Foyle College team won the game by 40-0.
Bangor Academy, Bangor Grammar School, Dromore High School, Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock and Strabane Academy each had a bye into the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy competition.
In the 3rd Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield
Coleraine Grammar School played Dalriada School in a closely contested game the Dalriada School team won by 10-6.
Down High School played Antrim Grammar School and the Down High School team was made to work hard for their 14-7 victory.
Friends’ School, Lisburn played Cambridge House Grammar School and won the game by 15-7.
Grosvenor Grammar School played Ballyclare High School and it was the Ballyclare High School team that emerged as 20-10 winners.
Larne Grammar School played Limavady Grammar School and recorded a convincing 52-7 victory.
Portadown College played Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and it was the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team that progressed to the next round following their 24-12 victory.
Rainey Endowed School played Banbridge Academy and won the game by 13-7.
Regent House School played Craigavon Senior High School and won the game by 53-0.
Once the results of the games played in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy and Shield competitions were known the draws for the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield, the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl and the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy competitions took place.
The results of the draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield 4th Round
1/Larne Grammar School v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
2/Ballymena Academy v Sullivan Upper School
3/Royal School, Armagh v Ballyclare High School
4/Rainey Endowed School v Belfast Royal Academy
5/Down High School v Methodist College, Belfast
6/Campbell College, Belfast v Friends’ School, Lisburn
7/Dalriada School v Wallace High School
8/Regent House School v Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 22nd January 2022
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl 1/4 Finals
1/Antrim Grammar School v Banbridge Academy
2/Coleraine Grammar School v Cambridge House Grammar School
3/Grosvenor Grammar School v Limavady Grammar School
4/Craigavon Senior High School v Portadown College
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 22nd January 2022
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/4 Finals
1/Royal School, Dungannon v Dromore High School
2/Strabane Academy v Bangor Academy
3/Foyle and Londonderry College v Bangor Grammar School
4/Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock v Omagh Academy
These games MUST be played on/before Saturday 22nd January 2022
In the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup Coleraine Grammar School 3rdxv hosted Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv in a game the Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv won by 15-10.
At 1stxv level a number of games took place on Saturday 8th January.
Ballyclare High School played Rainey Endowed School in a game the Ballyclare High School team won by 47-17.
The Ballyclare High School team scored seven tries through Darragh Flynn, Josh Laney, who touched down twice, Daniel Graham, James Spence, Austin Martin and Owen Warren. Callum Cochrane was successful with six of his conversion kicks.
The Rainey Endowed School team scored three tries through Jack McCavana, Nathan Overend and Jayden Shiels with Louis Regan adding one conversion.
Cambridge House Grammar School played Carrickfergus Grammar School and won the game by 29-3.
The Cambridge House team had to work hard for their win as the Carrickfergus Grammar School team displayed great spirit and commitment in all aspects of their performance.
Joshua Dobbin and Jacob Oliver each scored a brace of tries for the Cambridge House team with Dylan McNeilly touching down for a fifth. Ben Robinson was successful with two conversion kicks.
Ethan Law was successful with a penalty goal for the Carrickfergus Grammar School team.
Campbell College, Belfast hosted Clongowes Wood College from Clane in Co Kildare and won this exciting game by 45-26.
The Campbell College team scored seven tries through Lucas Kenny, who scored two, Matthew Booth, Joe Hopes, Flynn Longstaff, who also touched down twice, and Daniel Graham. Peter Cave was successful with five of his conversions.
The Clongowes Wood College team scored four tries in the course of the game and converted three of the tries.
Coleraine Grammar School and Dalriada School played out a training game with both teams using extended squads of players. There were no scores in the course of the game but the exercise proved to be an invaluable experience for both squads working towards their next games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Methodist College, Belfast travelled to play Blackrock College, Dublin and lost the game by 17-7.
The Blackrock College team had built up a 17-0 lead by the break but the Methody team responded with a more positive performance in the second half.
The Methodist College points came from a penalty try, which was conceded by Blackrock College, following a period of continuous pressure from Patrick Fullarton-Healey, Ben McFarlane and Josh Stevens close to the Blackrock College try line.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution travelled to Terenure College in Dublin where they played Presentation Brother’s College, Cork.
The Presentation Brother’s College, Cork team registered a convincing 45-7 victory. They scored seven tries with Ben O’Connor, a talented young player who captained the Cork Minor Hurling team to All Ireland success earlier in the year, touching down for a hattrick of tries, as well as kicking five conversions, and Rory O’Shaughnessy, Rian O’Donoghue, Sean Condon and James Wixted each scoring one try. In recent weeks Ben has attracted the attention of the Ireland Schools’ U18 Management team.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team scored one try through Chris Beaumont with Josh Eagleson adding the conversion.
Both teams, and their coaches, would like to thank Terenure College for the use of their excellent facilities and hosting the game.
Sullivan Upper School played Royal School, Dungannon and, with the last kick of the game, recorded a 22-21 victory.
The Sullivan Upper School team scored three tries through Johnny Cochrane, Sam Brown and Rory Carson. Harry McKeown was successful with two conversions and held his nerve to convert a penalty opportunity with the last kick of the game. This successful penalty kick secured the 22-21 victory for the Sullivan Upper School team.
The Royal School, Dungannon team scored three tries through Jacob Clarke, who scored two, and Alfie Lewis. James Girvan was successful with all three conversions.
Wallace High School played St Mary’s College, Dublin in a game the Dublin team won by 29-7.
The Wallace High School try was scored by Matthew Crowe and converted by Matty Halliday.
The St Mary’s College team scored five tries through right wing, Peter O’Beirne, who scored two, left wing, Zach Hopkins, who scored one and centre, Evan Moynahan, who touched down twice. Darragh Gilbourne was successful with two of his conversions.
