The second of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ competitions came to a conclusion when Rainey Endowed School met Friends’ School, Lisburn in the final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl at Dungannon Rugby Club.
There was a good crowd in attendance to watch an interesting game played in very blustery conditions. Playing into the wind in the first half, it was the Rainey team that enjoyed the greater amount of possession and territory. A defensive error by the Friends’ midfield after seven minutes of play enabled Damien McMurray and Philip Caulfield to combine to send Jamie Burrows in unopposed for the first try of the game. Martin Connolly was accurate with his conversion kick to put the Rainey Endowed team into a deserved 7-0 lead. The Rainey team continued to enjoy the majority of possession and, despite the best efforts of the Friends’ backrow, the Lisburn boys found it difficult to clear their line. The Rainey “pick and drive” tactic proved effective by tying in the Friends’ defenders around the fringes. The Friends’ team defended successfully until the Rainey Endowed scrum half, Martin Connolly, took advantage of another defensive lapse and crashed over for a try after twenty two minutes of play.
Martin converted his try to give his team a comfortable 14-0 lead. Close to the half time whistle, on a rare visit to Rainey Endowed territory, Friends’ School pressure resulted in a penalty following an infringement at a ruck. Paul Anderson was successful with his penalty kick to reduce the deficit to 14-3 at half time. The second half started poorly for the Friends’ team but eventually they started to get some quality possession. The Friends’ backline showed their ability and Paddy Pringle took advantage of good work from Desi Eastwood and Michael Cochrane to scorch in for a try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the deficit had been reduced to 14-8. The Friends’ team attacked at every opportunity with Michael Cochrane, Paddy Pringle and Desi Eastwood all asking questions of the Rainey defence. Jonathan Lees, Luke Steele and Damien McMurray worked hard to ensure the Friends’ team could not turn pressure into points. Midway through the second half, Paul Anderson was successful with another penalty opportunity to reduce the arrears to 14-11. The Friends’ team attacked at every opportunity but it was a case of “too little, too late” as the game came to a close. The Rainey team gained territorial advantage in the last few minutes forcing the Friends’ team to attack from deep positions. The final whistle went leaving the Friends’ School team very disappointed and the Rainey Endowed team delighted with their hard earned win. It was a very proud Rainey Endowed School Captain, Luke Steele, who, at the end of the game, received the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl from the Ulster Branch President, Sir Nigel Hamilton.
