The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ team played the Lanquedoc U18 team in an entertaining game at the Queen’s University Playing Fields. The Lanquedoc team was playing their third game in a four game tour of the Irish Provinces and provided the Ulster Schools’ team with a good test of their credentials.
The Ulster Schools’ team took a 5-0 lead when the fleet footed RBAI winger, Rory Campbell, outpaced the visitor’s defence to touch down for an unconverted try after just seven minutes of play.
The Lanquedoc team had opportunities to redress the balance but could not convert one drop goal and two penalty opportunities.
Ulster took charge of the lineouts with Thomas Donnan and Lewis Benson providing a good supply of quality possession. Darryl Morton took advantage of this when he gathered possession from a 5 metre lineout to charge over the Lanquedoc line to score a fine try. Jack Owens added the conversion to increase the Ulster Schools’ lead to 12-0 after eleven minutes of the game. Ulster Schools’ Captain, Darryl Morton, had to leave the field of play with a leg injury midway through the first half. He was replaced by the Methodist College No 8, James Gallagher.
Just prior to the interval the visitors reduced the arrears to 12-3 when they converted a penalty opportunity.
Both teams made changes at the interval and the game lost a little of the intensity of the first half. However, the Ulster team extended their lead to 17-3 when Josh Fullerton scrambled over for an unconverted try.
The Lanquedoc team responded positively and eventually crossed the Ulster line for a converted try to reduce the arrears to 17-10. Ulster Schools’ sealed their victory with a “hard yards” try from Alexander Thompson, the Banbridge Academy 2nd Row forward. Jack Owens was successful with the conversion to see the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ record a 24-10 victory at the end of the game.
The Ulster Schools’ team will play their next game at Donnybrook in Dublin when they take on Leinster Schools in the first of the Schoolboy Interprovincials on Wednesday 5th September.
Pictures to follow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
