The improved weather conditions on Saturday 15th January ensured that all the scheduled Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Round 2 games were completed on Saturday 15th January. There were a number of non-cup games played on Saturday 15th as well as several midweek fixtures.
Omagh Academy and Rainey Endowed played their postponed Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 2 fixture at the Campsie playing fields on Wednesday afternoon. In a very competitive Schools’ Cup game, the Rainey team was made to work hard for a narrow 14-7 win. On a sticky surface it was the Rainey team that started the game strongly. The Magherafelt team dominated possession, particularly in the lineout, where Damien Devlin and Mark McErlean were in control of proceedings. The Rainey team also enjoyed a territorial advantage but never really managed to threaten the Omagh Academy line. The Omagh defence was well organised and thwarted the early Rainey Endowed School attacks. The Rainey team did take the lead when, after fifteen minutes play, Martin Connolly converted a penalty opportunity to give his team a 3-0 lead. Shortly after this the visitors were unfortunate to lose the services of Jamie Burrows and Jack McCalmont to injury, a situation which had a negative impact on the Rainey team.
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The Omagh players seized the opportunity and following a series of attacking mauls from their well drilled pack, Lee Warnock broke down the blind side of a maul and took advantage of some slack Rainey Endowed defence to score the first try of the game. Ashley McIlwaine converted the try to give his team a 7-3 lead in the twenty fifth minute. Just before half time, Martin Connolly kicked his second penalty of the game for the Rainey team to reduce the arrears to 7-6 in favour of the Omagh Academy team. Omagh Academy started the second half strongly and forced Rainey deep into their half. The Magherafelt boys had to work hard in defence to keep the home team out. The Omagh pack, with Gary Sherrard and Adam Longwell to the fore, was making the visitors work hard and it took great work from Michael Dawson and Jonathan Lees to stem the flow. Owen Devlin gained possession from a turnover and gained his Rainey team sixty metres with a great break out of defence. This appeared to deflate the home team and for the rest of the game the Rainey team was in charge. From quality lineout possession midway through the second half, the Rainey backs moved the ball quickly through their hands. Damien McMurray made a clean break through the Omagh midfield defence which enabled replacement full back, Ryan Brown, to put Fintan Quinn in for a try. Martin Connolly was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt but the Rainey team now had an 11-7 lead. Spurred on up front by their captain, Luke Steele, the Rainey team continued to apply pressure. With a few minutes remaining replacement scrum half, Oisin Quinn, forced the Omagh team to give away a penalty. Martin Connolly converted the penalty opportunity to give the Rainey Endowed School team a deserved 14-7 win in this intriguing encounter and a win which sends the team into the draw for the 3rd Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
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Larne Grammar School travelled to Enniskillen to play Portora Royal School on Saturday 15th January. The Larne team had trained well in the lead up to the game and travelled in a confident mood. The long journey did not seem to impact on the Co Antrim team who started the game strongly. In difficult conditions the Larne Grammar School team took the game to the Portora side. Larne used the strength of their forwards and kept the ball tight to their pack. With players such as Billy Brown, Calum Patton and Ross Williamson asking questions of the Portora defence, it was the home team that was feeling the pressure. The Portora team held the Larne Grammar School attack up on their line on a number of occasions before Billy Brown touched down eventually for a try. The try was not converted but the Larne Grammar School team had a 5-0 lead.
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Larne Grammar School continued to be in the ascendancy after this try but the Portora defence was resolute. Just before half time the Larne team increased their lead to 8-0 when Philip Andrews converted a penalty attempt following a Portora infringement at the breakdown. The start of the second half saw the Portora team work hard to gain some territorial advantage and ask questions of the Larne Grammar School defence. The Larne Grammar School defence remained intact until the Portora Royal School centre, James Ferguson, took full advantage of a good drive from his pack to work the ball over the Larne Grammar School line. Unfortunately Robert Connors was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt but the Portora team had reduced the arrears to 8-5. From the restart the Portora team gave away a penalty which Philip Andrews was delighted to convert into points to see his Larne team into an 11-5 lead. The game started to open up and both defences were tested by the strong running of the opposition backlines. From a Portora Royal School attack, the Larne defence intercepted a pass which took play deep into the Portora territory. The Portora team held the ball up over their line and from the ensuing scrum Calum Patton reacted quickly to the loose ball to touch down for a try. Philip Andrews converted the try to see his team into an 18-5 lead. The Portora team regrouped and took play deep into Larne Grammar School territory. The very speedy Portora full back, Jonny Magwood, seemed to have outstripped the Larne Grammar School defence only to be hauled down short of the line. The Portora pack drove close to the line and released the ball into space which enabled James Ferguson to scamper in for his second try of the game. The conversion was missed to see the score read 18-10 in favour of the visitors. With only minutes remaining Philip Andrews was successful with another penalty attempt to leave the final score at 21-10 in favour of the Larne Grammar School team who now proceed into the draw for the 3rd Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Royal School, Dungannon hosted Antrim Grammar School in a Schools’ Cup game played in the most difficult of wet conditions. It was a game of personal triumph for the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ centre, Peter Nelson. Peter contributed thirty of his team’s thirty five points in the course of the game. Antrim Grammar School started strongly setting out to ensure that the RS Dungannon team knew they were going to be in a very competitive game. Calum McGrenaghan, Aiden Howe, Ian Moxon and their Antrim team mates played very well in the opening excvhanges but still found themselves 10-0 behind after as many minutes. Peter Nelson kicked an early penalty for the RS Dungannon team to give them a 3-0 lead. Shortly after this Peter broke from defence, kicked ahead and re-gathered the ball to outpace the Antrim defence and touchdown under the posts. He converted the try to put his team into a 10-0 lead. Peter Cashel proceeded to touchdown for the home team for a try which was not converted but the RS Dungannon team now had a 15-0 lead. Peter Nelson scored his second try of the game which he converted to give the home team a comfortable 22-0 half time lead. The Antrim team started the second half strongly with Supreet Jayaprakash, Aiden Howe, Jack Dempster and Jake McClay all asking questions of the Dungannon defence. However, Gary Wong, Derek Martin, Jacob McCammon, Andrew Clingan and Frankie Yeun were able to ensure their line remained intact. Peter Nelson, once again took control of the quality ball produced by his pack to finish off with two second half penalties as well as a third try and conversion to see his team safely through this game by 35-0 and a place the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 3 draw.
Grosvenor Grammar School travelled to Ballymena to play a Wallace Schoolwear sponsored Cambridge House team that was confident of success in this Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 2 game. However the home team found themselves playing a mainly defensive role in the first half with the Grosvenor pack dominating the set pieces as well as the breakdown. This ensured that Grosvenor team dominated possession and it was this domination that paved the way for the first try of the game when their centre, Martyn Irwin, outwitted the Cambridge House defence to touch down for a try. Scott Irvine was unsuccessful with his conversion but the Grosvenor team had a 5-0 lead. Grosvenor continued to dominate territory and possession with their lineout forwards the two Matthews, Harland and Cahoon, securing quality ball allowing their fellow forwards to dynamically maul and drive the ball towards the opposition line. It came as no surprise when the Grosvenor Grammar School pack eventually wore the spirited home defence down and create the opportunity for their Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ U19 prop, Mark Foster, to score a try. Scott Irvine was successful with his conversion attempt to take the score to 12-0 at the break. A few well-chosen words of encouragement by the Cambridge House coaches at the interval appeared to give the home team renewed vigour in the opening exchanges of the second half. Good work from Matthew Harkness and Timmy Small creted an opportunity for Josh Whann to touch down in the corner for a Cambridge House try. The conversion attempt was not successful but the Cambridge Housae team felt they were back in the game. However, from the restart the Grosvenor Grammar School team settled any doubts they may have when their hooker, Stuart Smyth, drove over following good work from his pack. Scott Irvine converted brilliantly from the touchline to put his team into a 19-5 lead. A second try from Mark Foster, close to the final whistle, sealed a well-deserved 24-5 victory for the visitors and put them into the draw for the 3rd Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Portadown College hosted the winners of the Round 1 of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game, Wellington College. The game was played in very wet and blustery conditions on a very tacky pitch which made life difficult for both teams. The Wellington captain won the toss and decided to play with the slight wind advantage in the first half. The Belfast boys started strongly creating a series of phases which asked questions of the Portadown College defence. They took full advantage of some confusion within the Portadown ranks Wellington and forced the ball out wide for Freddie Birt to score after only two minutes of play. There was no conversion but the Wellington team had a 5 – 0 lead. Portadown College responded positively from the restart and put Wellington under pressure. Wellington College failed to clear their lines enabling the Portadown College team to stretch play. They moved the ball through their backs to create a simple overlap for right wing, Thomas Halliday, to score a try. The conversion was missed but the scoreline now read 5 – 5. Portadown College now began to dominate proceedings and following some excellent forward drives from their No.8, Josh McCullough, assisted by prop, Alex Forbes, the Portadown backs found themselves with more space out wide which they subsequently exploited with some accurate passing enabling Michael Busby to finish off the move with an unconverted try to take the score to 10-5. Wellington College now came into the game with period of pressure with Gareth McCaughey and Kyle Walker to the fore. They were rewarded with a penalty which Adam Webb dispatched to take the score to 10-8. This only served to motivate the Portadown College team who went on to enjoy a long spell off possession. They created a number of further chances only to see them squandered with poor decision making and execution of the final pass. However, their efforts were rewarded eventually when Thomas Halliday outpaced his opposite number to score his second try of the game and put his team into a 15 – 8 lead at half time. Portadown College started the second half more strongly and, with the slight wind advantage in their favour, began to put the Wellington team on the back foot. Excellent kicking by the Portadown College outhalf Neil Irwin, a player well versed in the bread and butter issues of outhalf play, put his team deep into Wellington territory. From a lineout the Portadown backs moved the ball effectively, once again enabling Thomas Halliday to score and touch down for his third try of the game. Michael Busby converted to give the home team a 22 – 8 lead. Portadown continued to dominate the set plays and man of the match, Josh McCullough crashed through a number of attempted tackles to finish off an excellent team build up and place the ball for an unconverted try to give his team a 27 – 8 lead. Portadown College finished the game strongly and continued to press for another try arrived in the last minute of the game when the Portadown scrum half, Adam McMaster, picked up from the base of the scrum to outpace the Wellington defence. Adam released his fullback, Michael Busby, to run for a try which he converted himself to ensure a 34-8 victory and a place in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 3 draw.
Carrickfergus Grammar School entertained their near neighbours and close rivals from Belfast High School in a contested Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup match at the North Road playing fields. In an intriguing encounter, the game was played in front of a good crowd that included some well-known rugby personalities including Stephen Hilditch, former Principal of Belfast High School, Cecil Watson, immediate Past President of the Ulster Branch and current Ulster squad member and former Belfast High School player, Mark McCrea. The home team started the game in determined mood and got rewarded for their endeavours with a penalty which was converted by Jonathan Moore, kicking into very windy conditions, to give his team a 3-0 lead. The Belfast High school team was not fazed by this setback. They took play deep into Carrickfergus Grammar School territory and after an indiscretion at a ruck; Robbie Fryars levelled the score at 3-3 when he converted his penalty opportunity. The Carrickfergus team made good use of the slope on the pitch and laid siege to the Belfast High School line. From a well worked move from the base of a scrum, Ross Davidson picked up and stepped inside a despairing Belfast High School back row defence to touch down for a try. Jonathan Moore was successful with his conversion to put his team into a 10-3 lead. Close to half time Jonathan increased the Carrickfergus Grammar School lead to 13-3 when he was successful with another penalty attempt. The Belfast High School team regrouped at half time and started the second period of play in a determined manner. Having regained the ball from the kick off, the High School pack drove strongly at the Carrickfergus Grammar School line. Their attacking drives were thwarted initially by the Carrickfergus defence but eventually the home resistance was broken and Aaron Blair touched down from close range. Robbie Fryars added the extras with a great conversion from the 5m line to reduce the arrears to 13-10. Belfast High School maintained their attacking philosophy which was ultimately rewarded when their centre, Ryan Elliott, scored close to the Carrickfergus Grammar School posts. Robbie Fryars made no mistake with the conversion to put his team into a 20-13 lead. The Carrickfergus team responded positively to the turn-around in the scoreline with Jonathan Moore and Josh Brown opening up the Belfast High School defence on more than one occasion only to see the opportunities wasted by some poor decision making. A The Belfast High School team held on to the seven point differential and there was delight in the High School camp when the final whistle sounded and they deservedly took their place in the draw for the 3rd Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Following the game at Carrickfergus Grammar School, the draw for the Quarter Final games in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy and the 3rd Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games took place in Carrickfergus Grammar School.
Northern Bank Schools’ Trophy
Quarter Final
Saturday 22 January 2011
1. Antrim Grammar v Portora Royal
2. Omagh Academy v Cambridge House School
3. Lurgan College v Wellington College
Bye: Carrick Grammar
Northern Bank Schools’ Cup Third Round
Saturday 22 January 2011
1. Grosvenor Grammar v Banbridge Academy
2. Limavady Grammar v Regent House
3. Portadown College v Dalriada
4. Larne Grammar v Belfast High School
5. Bangor Grammar v Friends School Lisburn
6. Royal School Dungannon v Coleraine A I
7. Rainey Endowed v Sullivan Upper
8. Down High School v Foyle and L’derry College
Ballyclare High School and Sullivan Upper met at Carrickfergus Rugby Club for a floodlit game on Monday evening. The Sullivan team had not played since early December while the Ballyclare team had the advantage of playing a number of games over the holiday period. The incessant rain made it difficult for the players on both teams to play to their usual high standard but the Sullivan team did open the game in a more committed fashion. Early pressure on the Ballyclare High School line led to a penalty for the Sullivan team. Ross Adair made no mistake with the kick to put his team into a 3-0 lead. Ballyclare High School responded positively and Jonny Holmes was able to make good use of possession to put his team into positions of strength. From a series of picks and drives close to the Sullivan line the Ballyclare High School hooker, Marc Logan, eventually forced his way over the line to touch down for a try. The try was not converted but the Ballyclare team had a 5-3 lead. The Ballyclare team controlled possession as well as territory for most of the remainder of the first half. They played an expansive game which saw Peter Ferguson and Eddie McKee score two unconverted tries. Ross Adair kicked another Sullivan penalty to take the score to 15-6 in favour of the Ballyclare High School team at half time. Ballyclare started the second half strongly and from a quickly taken penalty space was created which enabled their speedy winger, Andrew Butler, to touch down for an unconverted try to take the score to 20-6. The Sullivan team performance now started to gain some momentum and Ross Adair reduced the arrears to 20-9 with a well struck penalty. Sullivan Upper then scored an intercept try through Oliver Loughead. Ross Adair added the extras to take the score to 20-16. Ballyclare replacement scrum half, Jack Irvine, kicked a penalty with just minutes remaining to see the final score read 23-16 in favour of his Ballyclare High School team. Both teams, as well as their coaches, would like to thank Carrickfergus Rugby Club for hosting the game and giving both sets of players the opportunity to play a much needed game.
Ballymena Academy entertained Dalriada on Wednesday 12th January aware that the Ballymoney boys, on their day, are capable of upsetting any team in the province. The home team was without Callum Patterson and Dalriada were forced to start without the injured Jonny McLaughlin. Ballymena Academy started strongly and enjoyed most of the early territory and possession. After six minutes they converted this pressure to points when hooker Adam Kerr, from close range, powered over to score an unconverted try and give his team a 5-0 lead. Midway through the first half, Ballymena scored their second try of the afternoon when their lively scrum half, Jack Fleming, exploited a gap at the side of a ruck to score below the posts. Caleb Morrison added the conversion to increase the score to 12-0 in favour of the home team. Minutes later, the Ballymena Academy team was dealt a blow when their influential centre, Peter Storey, was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury that may see him sidelined for a number of weeks. Nevertheless, just before half time, Ballymena moved the ball wide and Darren Geddis showed excellent footwork to beat the last Dalriada defender to touch down for his team’s third try. Caleb Morrison added the extras to leave the half-time score 19-0. In the second half, Dalriada continued to work hard and enjoyed a significant amount of territorial advantage, particularly in the early part of the second period. However, it was the home team that scored two more tries, both converted by Caleb Morrison. Jonny McClelland finished an excellent team try following good work by Nicholas Stirling and John Andrew. It was Caleb Morrison who scored his team’s final try of the day with a fine individual effort when he showed deft skills to outwit the Dalriada defence. A clean sheet as well as the final score of 33-0 will have pleased the home team while Dalriada can take some encouragement from their gutsy performance in defeat.
Methodist College found themselves 7-0 behind in the early stages of their midweek game at home to Wallace High School. The Wallace team started strongly and got rewarded for their adventurous approach to the game when Stewart Evans took advantage of an excellent break from James McCallan. Stewart finished the move off with aplomb leaving David Scott with a relatively simple conversion to give the Lisburn team a 7-0 lead. Methodist College responded strongly to this set back with the hard working Rory Winters touching down for a try. Mark Gribben added the conversion as well as two first half penalties to see his team into a 13-7 half time lead. The Methody team took control of proceedings in the second half with their pack dominating the young Wallace pack. Rory Winters scored his second try of the game and Conor Saunders touched down for a try to leave the Methody team as deserved 23-7 winners.
Friends’ School travelled to Down High School to play their first fixture since 27th November. The Down team was still without Stuart Orr due to injury while the Friends’ team displayed an obvious lack of game time in recent weeks during the opening exchanges. Down High School stormed into a 19-0 half time lead with Justin Rea kicking three penalties and Aaron Cairns and Luc Bonnargent touching down for two unconverted tries. The second half was a more evenly balanced with the Friends’ School team staging something of a revival. Their pack came more into the game with Brice Bailie, Joe Murphy, Jonny MacCorkell as well as the young Matthew Patterson getting on an equal footing with the Down High School pack. Michael Cochrane and Rory McIvor asked questions of the Down High School defence enabling the Friends’ team to score two unconverted tries through Jonny MacCorkell and Paddy Pringle. In the second period of play, the Down High School team benefitted from another Justin Rea penalty as well as an unconverted try from Justin. Patrick Gifford touched down for the final try of the game to leave the Down High School team as deserved 32-10 winners.
Belfast Royal Academy hosted a confident Royal Belfast Academical Institution team that has played well in recent games, in a midweek fixture at Roughfort. The BRA team had the better of the opening exchanges between two very evenly matched teams. It took a moment of inspiration from Belfast Royal Academy outhalf, Stuart Olding, to separate the two teams. Stuart scored an excellent solo try, leaving a host of Belfast Inst defenders clutching in his wake, midway through the first half. Jack Kane added the conversion to put his team into a 7-0 lead. In the second half the visitors put the home team under severe pressure but the well organised Belfast Royal Academy defence, in which David Patterson was outstanding, remained intact. Despite the best efforts of Kevin McLean, Nathan Dugan and Michael Kilpatrick, the Belfast Inst team could find no way through. It was a delighted Belfast Royal Academy team that celebrated their 7-0 victory at the no-side whistle.
There were a number of non-cup fixtures played on Saturday 15th January.
Friends’ School got back to winning ways following the disappointment of their midweek loss against Down High School. The Lisburn School hosted a Dalriada team that was determined to get back into winning mode following their recent defeat at the hands of Ballymena Academy. However, it was the Friends’ team that dominated proceedings for most of the game. Their pack, with Joe Murphy, Brice Bailie, Paddy Ferguson and Dean Howe in dominant form, was more than a match for the talented Dalriada pack. The Friends’ back division looked dangerous when in possession with Paul Anderson, Rory McIvor, Paddy Pringle, Desi Eastwood and Michael Cochrane constantly causing problems for the Dalriada defence. Friends’ opened the scoring with a Paul Anderson penalty to give them a 3-0 lead. Desi Eastwood then score a try which Paul Anderson converted to put the home team into a 10-0- lead. Desi touched down for his second try of the game which was converted by Paul Anderson to increase the Friends’ lead to 17-0. Paul Anderson then hit a penalty from the touchline to see the Friends’ team into a 20-0 half time lead. Dalriada started the second period of play with a more determined approach. David Campbell, Roger Bonnar and Andrew Skelton all combined to send Ben Henderson in for an unconverted try and take the score to 20-5. However, it was the Friends’ team that had the final say in the outcome of the game when Michael Cochrane opened up the Dalriada defence to put Rory McIvor in for a try. Paul Anderson was successful with his conversion attempt to see the final score read 27-5 in favour of the Friends’ School team. Friends’ School 2ndxv made it a double celebration for their senior rugby teams when they defeated their Dalriada counterparts 12-5 in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup.
Bangor Grammar School hosted a Down High School team still without the services of their prop forward, Stuart Orr. The game was affecting by the very windy conditions and the Down team played into these conditions in the first half. They managed to restrict the Bangor team to just one scoring opportunity which was a penalty converted by Stuart McCloskey to give the home team a 3-0 lead at the half time whistle. With the wind in their backs during the second half, the Down team was able to ask searching questions of the Bangor Grammar School defence. In the main, these questions were answered positively but the Down High School team did manage to score a try. Chris McBurney took advantage of good work from John Donnan, Aaron Cairns and Matthew McKeown to touch down close to the Bangor posts. Justin Rea added the conversion to put his team into a 7-3 lead. Justin was successful with a penalty later in the second half to ensure a well-deserved 10-3 for the Down High School team.
Click Here for photos of the Bangor v Portadown game courtesy of Ken Best photos can be viewed as a slideshow or individually
or
Click Here for photos of the Bangor v Portadown game courtesy of Ken Best
Wallace High School travelled to Dublin to take on the might of the St Mary’s College team that had defeated Coleraine AI in their last outing. The Wallace team played with skill and determination throughout the game but finished on the wrong end of a 32-8 scoreline. Stuart Evans scored a consolation try and David Scott kicked a penalty to account for the Wallace High School points in Dublin.
Methodst College travelled to Dublin to play Terenure College in a game played under the most difficult of conditions. The method team had not lost to opposition from outside Ulster in the course of the season but found themselves 8-0 down at half time. Playing into the wind, the Methodist College team had to be organised and effective in defence against the lively Terenure xv. The Dublin boys kicked a penalty after 17 minutes and scored an unconverted try after 27 minutes. In the second half, it was the turn of the Methody xv to attack. Marc Gribben made up for an earlier missed penalty when he converted his first second half opportunity to reduce the arrears to 8-3. The Methody team worked tirelessly to cross the Terenure line but the home defence was giving nothing away. That was until the last play of the game when the Methodist College skipper, Dan Kerr, forced his way over the line to touch down for an unconverted try and ensure his team finished the game with an honourable 8-8 draw.
Belfast Royal Academy hosted Dublin school, Castleknock College at the Roughfort playing fields. Castleknock converted an early penalty opportunity to give them a 3-0 leads. The Belfast Royal Academy team responded with a well worked try from Matthew Robinson. The try was not converted but the BRA team now had a 5-3 lead. Academy indiscipline enabled Castleknock to get a penalty which they converted to put them into a 6-5 lead. Shortly after this the Dublin visitors took advantage of some slack BRA defence to score an unconverted try and extend their lead to 11-5. The BRA team responded positively and, following an excellent driven maul, David Patterson was able to score an unconverted try to take the halftime score to 11-10 in favour of the Castleknock team. The BRA team took the lead in the second half to 16-11 when Jack Kane converted two penalty opportunities. However, their hopes of an outright victory were dashed when the Castleknock team scored a last minute try. The try was not converted but the final score was an honourable 16-16 draw.
Banbridge Academy hosted the all-conquering Ballyclare High School team at the Lurgan Road venue on Saturday. Playing with the wind in the first half the Ballyclare team took a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes play when Eddie McKee crossed for a try which Jonny Holmes converted. The well organised home defence made sure there were no more tries scored against them in the first half but they had few opportunities to score any first half points themselves. Losing 7-0 at half time, the home team started the second period of play in a much more determined fashion. However, it was the Ballyclare team that was able to extend their lead when Peter Ferguson crossed for an unconverted try to put his team into a 12-0 lead. Banbridge Academy responded positively and began to test the Ballyclare High School defence. They got rewarded for their efforts when their energetic prop, Harry Russell, scored a try. Chrissy Craig added the conversion to reduce the arrears to 12-7 with just minutes remaining. The Banbridge Academy team went all out looking for a win but as they were forcing the game they turned a ball over following good work from the “Man of the Match” Jonny Darling. Peter Ferguson took full advantage to touch down for an unconverted try in the corner and ensure a 17-7 win for the Ballyclare High School team.
Royal School, Armagh played Coleraine AI at the College Hill venue. The Coleraine AI team has been struggling to get results in recent games and Saturday’s game was to prove no exception. The Coleraine AI team started well in the game and took a 3-0 lead when Michael Poskitt converted a penalty opportunity. The RS Armagh team responded immediately and scored a try through Daniel Reaney. Harry Boyd missed the conversion but made amends when he kicked a penalty opportunity to give his team an 8-3 halftime lead. Playing with a strong wind advantage in the second half the Armagh team might have expected to score a lot of points. However, they met with resolute Coleraine AI defence in which Paddy Farrell was outstanding. James Hanna, playing his debut game on the RS Armagh team, did manage to cross the Coleraine line for two second half tries. Harry Boyd added one conversion to see his team through this game with a 20-3 win.
Foyle and Londonderry College got back to winning ways when they hosted their close rivals from Limavady Grammar School. Both teams had experienced indifferent performances in recent games so there was an added incentive to do well in this game. The Foyle team took an early 11-0 lead with a try from Conor Cummings and two first half penalties from Kyle Henderson. In response the Limavady Grammar School team scored a try from Conor Crampsie which was converted by Nathan Barr. With the half time score at 11-7 there was all to play for in the second half. The loss of Nathan Barr, Shay McIntosh, Conor Crampsie and Stuart Hull within ten minutes of the restart saw the Limavady team press the self-destruct button. The Foyle team took full advantage and scored thirty answered points in the second period of play. Conor Cummings, Lee McClements, Graeme McCarter and Kyle Henderson all scored one try each in the second half. Kyle Henderson added two conversions as well as two penalties to see the Foyle and Londonderry College team through this North West “Derby” game by 41-7.
Regent House came close to causing a major upset when they hosted Ballymena Academy. In an entertaining but wind swept game, it was the defences on top in the first half which ensured a 0-0 scoreline at half time. In the second half both teams were intent on going for the win and it was the Ballymena Academy team that made the break through. Midway through the second half, Caleb Morrison took full advantage of a defensive lapse by the home team to outstrip the remaining Regent defenders and place the ball down under the posts. Caleb converted his try to give his team a 7-0 lead. Regent worked hard to get a score in the remaining minutes but there efforts were to no avail. It was relieved Ballymena Academy team that had maintained their recent run of good results when they heard the final whistle.
