There were two important midweek games played when Omagh Academy met Larne Grammar School in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Final at Stevenson Park, home of Dungannon Rugby Club, and Sullivan Upper played Regent House in the replay off the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Semi-Final.
Northern Bank Schools’ Trophy Final
Three Andy Allen penalties proved to be enough to earn Omagh Academy possession of the Northern Bank Schools’ Trophy for the first time, but only just, as they squeezed past Larne Grammar by 9-5 at Stevenson Park, Dungannon, in Wednesday’s scrappy and error-strewn final.
The Co Tyrone side began with the bit between their teeth, running strongly with the ball in hand and keeping Larne penned in their own 22m area for the first twenty minutes. During that period of dominance the Academy had managed to engineer a six point lead through two Allen penalties. The first score arrived after only three minutes when Allen knocked over from 22 metres after Larne had strayed off-side at a ruck and their second arrived 16 minutes later from the same trusty right boot and a similar distance following good runs from Academy skipper, Ryan Mitchell and outside centre, Neil MacLaine. In between the two Omagh penalties, Larne had a good effort to equalise when, with their first foray into the opposition half, they were awarded a three pointer of their own after Academy fullback, Ashley McIlwaine failed to release in the tackle. However, Robert McKinley missed the relatively straightforward penalty. Larne grew into the game from the 25th minute on, but it was Omagh who had the best chance to add to their tally with four minutes of the first half remaining when a forward pass gifted Ross Hunter’s men with another penalty attempt, but this time, from thirty metres, Andy Allen’s kick drifted just wide. From the restart Larne looked like a different team, determined to win the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy for a third time in five years. They were quick to take advantage of Omagh’s growing indiscipline and carelessness in possession by scoring a fully deserved try in the right corner through influential fullback, Houston Saunderson, after four minutes of early, concerted pressure. Although the conversion was missed by Robert McKinley, Larne were back in contention with the scoreboard now reading 6-5 in favour of the Tyrone team. However, the Omagh Academy team was determined not to let history strike twice – having led at half time before losing last year’s final to Portora RS – and they responded well from the setback. Number eight, Michael Gibson, launched a good kick into touch in the Larne 22m area, from where they picked and drove towards the opposition line before being awarded a penalty in front of the posts after a Larne defender entered a ruck from the side. Andy Allen knocked over the easy kick to leave Omagh Academy four points to the good with the scoreboard now reading 9-5 in their favour. The regaining of some breathing space did not settle any Omagh nerves however, and their lack of cohesion, indiscipline and basic errors looked as though they would ultimately prove costly as they invited more and more pressure on themselves in the closing twenty five minutes, all of which were played in the Academy half. Time and again Larne pressed, with Houston Saunderson and Number eight, Callum Patton, looking increasingly dangerous. On three occasions in the final twelve minutes Houston must have thought he was going to win it for his team. Tigerish Omagh winger, Scott Hemphill, produced a try-saving tackle on the Larne fullback in the corner after a storming run, while Andy Allen did likewise a short time later when the same player had marauded through the middle. In the final minute the Larne full back again marched towards the Omagh line on the right, but he failed to pick out the overlapping Luke Brownlee, his pass finding touch instead. Following a couple of nervous added minutes for Omagh the final whistle was blown to a huge sigh of collective Tyrone relief, while Larne were left to rue what might have been. The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy and Medals were presented to the players by Mr David Marshall, representing the sponsors, after the final whistle, and the Omagh Academy team celebrated their 9-5 win. The thanks of both schools, as well as the Ulster Schools’ Committee, go to Justin Fitzpatrick and Harold Walker as well as their busy band of volunteers at Dungannon Rugby Club for all the work they put in to hosting this Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Final.
Omagh Academy: Darren Clarke; Andy Wilson; James Kelso; James Catterson; Stuart Allen; Jamie Brown; Adam Longwell; Michael Gibson; Greg Deazley; Andy Allen; Ryan Mitchell (capt); Andy Catterson; Neil MacLaine; Scott Hemphill; Ashley McIlwaine. Replacements: Linley Ewing; John Graham; Thomas Reid; Danny Johnston; Scott Longwell; Adam Beattie; Lloyd Kane; David Long.
Larne Grammar: Sam McWhirter; Ryan McAlister (capt); Marc Robinson; James Bell; Luke Cameron; Marc McAlister; Ethan Kerr; Callum Patton; Ethan Brownlee; Robert McKinley; Aaron Carter; Stephen Watts; Luke Brownlee; Jamie Johnston; Houston Saunderson. Replacements: Kris Rea; Calum Oakley; James Bacon; Connor Weir; Vince McCorry; Andrew Weatherup; Corey Burleigh; Sam McIlwaine.
Referee: Shane Toolan.
The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Semi-Final replay featuring Sullivan Upper and Regent House was played in excellent conditions at the Holywood venue. The teams drew 8-8 in the first game and a close contest was expected in the replay.
So it turned out to be in the first half at least. The Sullivan Upper team dominated proceedings in a scrappy first with both teams having only two successful penalty attempts to show for their endeavours. Alan Sinnamon kicked two for the Regent House team while Chris Hayes did likewise for the Sullivan Upper team. With the scoreline reading 6-6 at halftime there was all to play for in the second half. The second half saw the Sullivan Upper team raise the tempo of the game. They scored a try through Oliver Matthews, playing in the outhalf position. He took advantage of good work from his pack to run in for the try. Chris Hayes added the conversion to give his team a 13-6 lead. A short time later, Josh Davidson won good line out ball close to the Regent House line. The Sullivan Upper pack produced an effective driven maul which ended with the Sullivan Upper hooker, Robbie Montgomery, trundling his way over the Regent House line to touch down for a try, Chris Hayes added the extras to see his team into a 20-6 lead. Now it was the turn of the Sullivan Upper backs to display their skills. Rory Barton outwitted a number of Regent House defenders to run in for a try which was converted by Chris Hayes to increase the Sullivan Upper lead to 27-6. Close to the end of the game Chris Hayes rounded off a fine afternoon’s work when he left a trail of despairing Regent defenders in his wake to run in for the fourth try of the game. Chris converted his try to see the Sullivan Upper team through this replay with a convincing 34-6 victory over their close rivals from Regent House. The Sullivan Upper team will now play Belfast Royal Academy in the final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl competition at Pirrie Park on Thursday 8th March. This final is scheduled to kick off at 2-30pm.
There was one game played on Saturday 3rd March when Limavady Grammar School travelled to play Omagh Academy at the Campsie Playing Fields in preparation for their Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Semi-Final game next week.
Both sides played with weakened teams due a number of players being rested. The Limavady side got off to a good start despite the heavy pitch with their forward pack dominating the opening exchanges and their backs looking dangerous when they moved the ball. Limavady dictated the pace of the game and it was only a matter of time before they scored. Michael Barr opened the scoring with an unconverted try to give the visitors a 5-0 lead. Soon after the restart the Limavady side increased their lead, with another unconverted try through Sam Neilly, to 10-0. The Omagh Academy team responded to these early setbacks in a positive manner and reduced the arrears to 10-5 when Adam Longwell touched down for an unconverted try after good work from his fellow forwards. Limavady upped the intensity from the restart and scored another try through Aaron Rainey. Luke Faulkner added the extras to take the score to 17-5 in favour of the Limavady Grammar School team. Close to the halftime whistle John Fallows intercepted an Omagh Academy pass to score a try in the corner. Luke Faulkner was successful with the conversion to give his Limavady Grammar School team a 24-5 halftime lead. As the second half got underway Limavady found it difficult to get into any real pattern of play. Silly errors and forced passing eventually led to Omagh scoring a try when Andy Allen intercepted a pass to run in for the score. The try was not converted but the score was now 24-10. Limavady Grammar School responded by scoring three tries in quick succession through Jamie Millar, Robert Lamberton and Daniel Irvine. One of these tries was converted by Michael Barr to leave the final score reading 41-10 in favour of the Limavady Grammar School team.
There were two Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Semi-Finals as well as two Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate Semi-Finals played on Saturday 3rd March.
Osbourne Park was the venue for the game featuring Wallace High School and Dromore High School. Both teams had encountered tough games en route to the Semi-Final but it was the Wallace High School team that made observers sit up and take notice as to why they could be seen as favourites to win the competition with their performance in this game. The Wallace High School team controlled the game for long periods of time running in six tries. Gary Chan was the hero of the large contingent of Wallace High School supporters when he scored a hat trick. Jonny Stewart, Max Trouton and Ben Pentland were the other Wallace High School try scorers. Philip Hylands was successful with two conversion attempts. The Dromore High School team was committed in the course of the game but could only get past the well organised Wallace High School defence on one occasion to touchdown for an unconverted try ensuring that the Wallace High School team reached the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Final with their 34-5 victory.
In the second of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Semi-Finals, Coleraine Academical Institution played Methodist College, Belfast at Ballymena Academy. The Methodist College team won the game convincingly by 49-9.
The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Final will be played at Ravenhill on Monday 12th March at 2-30pm.
In the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate Semi-Finals, Dalriada School defeated Belfast High School by 26-21 and Ballyclare High School lost to Ballymena Academy by 30-0. The date and venue for the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate Final are to be confirmed.
The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Semi-Finals are scheduled to be played at Ravenhill on Monday 5th, with Wallace High School playing Ballyclare High School, and Wednesday 7th March when Methodist College will play Campbell College. Both games are scheduled to kick off at 2-30pm.
On Tuesday 6th March Grosvenor Grammar School will play Wellington College in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy Final. This game will kick off at 2-30pm at the CIYMS/Grosvenor RFC grounds at Belmont.
Rainey Endowed School and Carrickfergus Grammar School will meet in the Final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl Final at Ballymena Academy on Tuesday 6th March. This game will kick off at 2-30pm at Ballymena Academy.
On Thursday 8th March Belfast Royal Academy will play Sullivan Upper in the final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl competition. This game will be played at Piorrie Park at 2-30pm.
