There were eight Northern Bank Ulster Schools Cup Round 4 games, three Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Quarter-Final games as well as two Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Semi Finals played on Saturday 11th February.
The Tie of the 4th Round Ulster Schools’ Cup games took place at Ballyclare High School when the home team hosted a very good Royal School, Armagh team.
Both teams started the game nervously and tested each other out. Both teams were trying to identify weaknesses that could be exploited and the home team was under a certain amount of pressure in the opening exchanges. The visitors adopted a very positive approach playing with the ball in hand but a mixture of handling errors and good defence ensured the Ballyclare High School line remained intact. On a rare first half excursion into the RS Armagh 22m area, the home team applied a great deal of pressure on the Armagh line. The Ballyclare High School advances were thwarted by the hard working RS Armagh defence with Mattie Clarke, the Armagh captain, displaying the commitment and courage which have seen him play so well in the course of the season. However, after a series of picks and drives, the Ballyclare team won good ball close to the RS Armagh line, moved it wide to good effect and James Beattie ran in for the first try of the game after seventeen minutes. The conversion attempt was missed but the home team had a 5-0 lead. The RS Armagh team responded positively by taking play straight back into Ballyclare High School territory. They missed one penalty opportunity shortly after the restart from the try but, two minutes later, Alistair Wright was successful with a penalty kick to reduce the arrears to 5-3. The RS Armagh team then took an 6-5 lead when Alistair was suucessful with his second penalty of the morning. Daniel Ewart then ran in for an unconverted try to give his team an 11-5 lead. The Ballyclare High School team stormed back with Matt Dailly, Jonny Darling and Grant Bartley carrying strongly for the home team. Just before the interval Jonny Holmes converted a penalty opportunity to leave the half time score reading 11-8 in favour of the RS Armagh team. Armagh started off strongly in the second half with the Ballyclare team having to defend for a long period of time. Eventually, the home team did get some possession and took play deep into the RS Armagh 22m area. The home team laid siege to the Armagh line asking many questions of the Armagh defence. The defence was well organised, tenacious and committed. That was until the twenty sixth minute of the second half when Matt Dailly managed to shake off the attentions of a number of defenders to touch down for a try. Jonny Holmes added the conversion to give his team a 15-11 lead. This meant the RS Armagh team was going to have to score a try if they were to rescue the situation. Stuart Hooks, Mattie Clarke, Thomas Johnston and Duncan Stead all asked questions of the home defence but the Ballyclare High School team was not going to throw this one away. There was a sense of relief, as well as delight, when the final whistle sounded to ensure it was the Ballyclare High School team that progressed to the draw for the Quarter-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. There was disappointment on the faces of the RS Armagh players but they had played a full part in this excellent advertisement for the rugby played in schools throughout the Province.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team hosted the Royal School, Dungannon team that defeated Portadown Collge in the final minute of their 3rd Round Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup encounter.
However, any fears of another last minute win by the Tyrone men in this game were put to rest relatively early in the game. The Belfast Inst team dominated proceedings for most of the game with the visitors only getting into the Inst half on rare occasions. Despite a nervous start by the home team, they settled in their approach when Gareth Lawlor made a break midway through the first half to touch down under the RS Dungannon posts. Gareth converted his try to give his team a 7-0 lead. Five minutes later John McClure got in on the act when he ran in for an unconverted try to extend the Belfast Inst lead to 12-0. Close to the interval the Belfast Inst team won a lineout and drove the ensuing maul over the RS Dungannon line. Paddy Anderson was awarded the try and with Gareth Lawlor successful with the conversion attempt his team had built a 19-0 half time lead. Despite the best intentions of the RS Dungannon team, with their captain, Andrew Clingan, displaying a great work ethic, it was the Belfast Inst team that continued to dominate proceedings. Following a midfield turnover, John McClure ran in from the RS Dungannon ten metre line to score a try under the posts. Gareth Lawlor converted to give his team a 26-0 lead. Rory Bell then ran in for a try which, once again, was converted by Gareth Lawlor to give the Belfast Inst team a 33-0 lead. Both teams made replacements and, towards the end of the game, the RS Dungannon team got some reward for their endeavours when Matthew Montgomery scored a fine individual try. The try was not converted and it was the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team that proceeded to the draw for the Quarter-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup with their well-deserved 33-5 victory in this game.
Dalriada hosted Bangor Grammar School in their 4th Round Northern Bank Ulster Schools Cup game at the St James’s Road venue in Ballymoney.
The game was played with good overhead conditions and no wind to speak off. The rain that fell in recent days had softened the pitch but it was a tribute to the Dalriada ground staff that the pitch was more than playable. Dalriada started the game the stronger of the two sides and after fifteen minutes scored a nice try from 40 metres out. After the home pack had driven the ball up towards the Bangor Grammar School line the backs then moved it left to right and the home team’s fullback, Jonny Laughlin, showed good pace to get on the outside of the Bangor drift defence to score a try in the corner. The try was not converted but the Dalriada School team had a 5-0 lead. This stirred the visiting team on and they then enjoyed some period of pressure themselves. On two occasions the backs went through the hands and created space but these attacks came to nothing and with it the first half came to an end with Dalriada maintaining their 5-0 lead. The second half started with Bangor Grammar School working their way into the home team 22m area and, after some sustained pressure, they won a penalty which was successfully converted by out half, Daniel Kennedy, to reduce the arrears to 5-3. Both Bangor wingers created chances and were starting to look dangerous. On the back of a Cameron Strut run up the left flank, Bangor drove a lineout and one metre out from the try line Dalriada infringed resulting in Daniel Kennedy kicking his second penalty making the score 6-5 to Bangor. The final scoring act came from Bangor Grammar School 2nd row, Ryan Wilson. After sustained pressure and retention, Ryan crashed over in the corner after a delicate off-load from his captain, Johnny Gordon. The try was not converted but the Bangor Grammar School team now had an 11-5 lead which they retained until the final whistle. The Bangor team celebrated their hard earned victory at the end of the game, a victory which ensured their place in the Quarter-Final draw for the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Coleraine Academical Institution played near neighbours and close rivals, Ballymena Academy in the 4th Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. A big crowd was in attendance at Coleraine for this Northern Bank Schools’ Cup encounter.
After a week of persistent rain, the pitch was somewhat heavy underfoot though the conditions overhead were perfect. Ballymena Academy had the better of both territory and possession in the early exchanges and opened the scoring after five minutes when Darren Geddis was successful with a penalty from forty metres to give his team a 3-0 lead. Ballymena continued to apply pressure with Darren Geddis and his half back partner, Jack Fleming, controlling the tempo of the game. After fifteen minutes, Ballymena Academy scored the first try of the morning. Both Matthew Rea and Calvin Kernohan made good ground and, when the ball was recycled, Nicholas Stirling sent Thomas Gaston clear. The winger showed excellent pace to round his opposite man and touch down below the posts. Darren Geddis made no mistake with the conversion to increase the Academy lead to 10-0. Coleraine AI came back into the game immediately and enjoyed an extended period of time in the Ballymena half. After a Ballymena infringement at the breakdown, Mikey Poskitt narrowly missed his penalty attempt and the game remained finely balanced until the half-time whistle. Ballymena, crucially, scored the opening points of the second half. Duncan Maguire and Peter Storey were stopped just short of the line, but Nicholas Stirling spotted space out wide and raced over to score in the corner. Darren Geddis maintained his 100% record with an excellent touchline conversion to put his team into a 17-0 lead. Midway through the second half, with the away team continuing to apply pressure, George Hargy powered through several tacklers to increase Ballymena’s lead to 22-0. Darren Geddis was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt. Ballymena might have expected the Coleraine heads to drop but, instead, the home team rallied and enjoyed their best period of play for the remainder of the match. An excellent kick by Conor Shields found touch five metres from the Ballymena line and the decision to take a quick line-out proved to be the wrong one when the resulting clearance kick was charged down over the Ballymena line. The impressive Coleraine AI scrum half, Peter Kidd, was first to react and touched down for a deserved try. Mikey Poskitt added the conversion and the game ended with the final score reading 22 – 7 in favour of the Ballymena Academy team.
Banbridge Academy had a comfortable 30-3 victory against Cambridge House when the two sides met in Banbridge in the 4th Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Cambridge House started the game strongly and took advantage of some nervous play from the home team. The Cambridge House outhalf, Timmy Small, put the first points of the day on the scoreboard when he converted a long range penalty opportunity to give his team a 3-0 lead early in the game. This seemed to spark some life into the home team and they started to take a grip on the game. The Banbridge Academy pack combined with their half backs to gain territorial advantage. Aaron Kennedy converted a penalty to level the score at 3-3. As the first half drew to a close Banbridge ran a smart set piece play enabling their centre, Glenn Rowan, to run in under the posts for a try. Aaron Kennedy added the extras to make the score 10-3 at half time for his Banbridge Academy team. The second half was a more one sided affair as Banbridge Academy got into their stride from the start. Aaron Kennedy added another penalty on forty minutes to increase the Banbridge Academy lead to 13-3. Five minutes later Banbridge Academy winger, Christopher Watt, finished off a flowing move with a well taken try. The try was not converted but the Banbridge Academy team now had an 18-3 lead. Further Academy pressure resulted in their hooker, Jordan Buchanon, diving over from close range for a try. Aaron Kennedy again added the extras to take the score to 25-3. With five minutes remaining, Aaron Kennedy pounced on a loose ball and scrambled over the Cambridge House line to touch down for the final try of the game. The try was not converted but the Banbridge Academy team was able to celebrate their well-deserved 30-3 victory and a place in the last eight of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. Overall, it was an impressive performance from Banbridge Academy and, to their credit, the Cambridge House team never stopped trying and their attitude was a credit to them. For the Academy team Aaron Kennedy had a great day as did his halfback partner Marc Stevenson whose kicking game was excellent. In the pack, flanker David McKeown and No 8 and captain, Colin McGregor worked tirelessly all day and set a good platform for the exciting Banbridge Academy backline.
Wallace High School hosted the very talented Limavady Grammar School team in an exciting 4th Round Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ game in Lisburn.
The Limavady Grammar School team has probably exceeded even their own expectations this season and, having already defeated the Wallace High School team earlier in the season, might have seen themselves as slight favourites to win this game. However, the Wallace High School team was able to field a full strength squad for this game with key players such as Nathan McClatchey and Jordan Heatley returning from injury. As the game got underway it was the visiting Limavady Grammar School team that dominated the opening exchanges. For the first ten minutes of the game Wallace found themselves pinned within their own half. However, the visiting side could not capitalise despite playing against fourteen men following a Wallace winger obtaining a yellow card. The Limavady side maintained the pressure but a failed penalty attempt meant the score remained 0-0. It was only until Wallace High School retained possession that their backs moved the ball wide to put their impressive winger, Jordan Heatley, in for try in the corner. The try was not converted but the Wallace High School team had a 5-0 lead. Following the restart, the visiting side found it difficult to gain possession and, as a result, Wallace High School got another score through a lineout and driving maul with Cal McIlwaine awarded the touchdown. The try was not converted but the Wallace High School team had a 10-0 lead. For the remainder of the half Wallace seemed the more determined side and the fact that Limavady were now down to fourteen men did not help. Despite losing a man the visiting side held out and their efforts were rewarded with a penalty. Luke Faulkner duly converted the penalty opportunity to take the score to 10-3 in favour of the Wallace High School team at the end of the first half. Following the restart Wallace made numerous errors and Limavady Grammar School enjoyed their best period of the game. They were rewarded with a well taken try when Stuart Hull and Aaron Rainey combined to see Aaron run in for a try. Luke Faulkner converted the try to equalise the score at 10-10. Limavady Grammar School continued to enjoy territorial advantage and it took a superb break away by Jordan Grattan to relieve the pressure. Wallace High School set up camp in the Limavady Grammar 22m area for the final fifteen minutes of the game and, after multiple phases of play, David Scott powered his way through the Limavady Grammar School defence to touch down for the winning try. James McCallan converted the try to ensure a hard fought 17-10 win for his Wallace High School team. As a result of this win the Wallace High School team was assured of a place in the draw for the Quarter-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Campbell College hosted Grosvenor Grammar School in an intriguing Northern Bank Ulster Schools Round 4 game at the famous Fox’s Field venue.
The Grosvenor Grammar School team started the game well but threw away any territorial ground they had made when their line out malfunctioned on a number of occasions. With ten minutes of the game gone Mark Best made use good use of broken field ball to send Harry Howard in for a try. The conversion was missed but the Campbell College team had a 5-0 lead. With the visitors struggling to get a foothold on the game Rob Haldane converted a penalty opportunity to put his Campbell College team into an 8-0 lead. Continued pressure from the home side was thwarted by excellent Grosvenor Grammar scramble defence until Mark Best slotted an impressive drop goal from outside the 22m area to give the Campbell College team an 11-0 lead. Grosvenor responded well and, approaching half time, following a period of strong play Peter Davison was presented with a penalty opportunity which he took to give his Grosvenor team hope of a comeback with the scoreline reading 11-3.The decisive moment came when a great high ball from Peter Davison was taken by Jack Owens who beat a poor kick chase from Grosvenor to run in for a try from his own half. Rob Haldane converted this try to give his team an 18-3 lead at the break. The second half was a more even affair but the better opportunities fell for the home team. Once again Grosvenor scrambled brilliantly in defence to keep themselves in the game. The tie was put to bed when the impressive Campbell scrum half, Josh Fullerton, made a fine break on the blind side of a ruck to score an unconverted try and give his team a 23-3 lead. The final score at the no side whistle remained at 23-3 in favour of the Campbell College team and was a fair reflection of the dominance of the Campbell College team who deservedly progress to the Quarter-Final draw for the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Rainey Endowed School hosted the perennial Ulster Schools’ Cup favourites, Methodist College, in an exciting Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game in Magherafelt.
Playing in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters the Rainey Endowed team started strongly but, as a result of a turnover, the Methodist College captain, Rory Winters, kicked deep into Rainey Endowed territory. From the resultant lineout, Chris Gracey barged over the Rainey line for the first try of the game. Rudolph Benade added the conversion to give the Methody team a 7-0 lead after just four minutes of the game. The Methody team pressurised the Rainey defence from the restart and a few minutes later increased their lead to 10-0 when Rudolph Benade was successful with a penalty opportunity. The Methodist College team was now in control of the game and, after a number of phases, scrum half David McElhinney sent Elliott Mooney over for a try in the corner. The conversion was missed but the visitors now had a 15-0 lead. The Rainey Endowed pack now began to win some good ball and the backs took advantage. For the next tweenty minutes the home side probably edged the possession and territory battle. Conal Murphy and Jack McCalmont carried a lot of ball effectively and this caused problems for the Methody team. Arran Murphy was pulling the strings at outhalf and was behind a lovely move that resulted in Jamie Noble being tackled by Dan Bingham in the corner just short of the line. Persistent Rainey attacks were very well defended by Methody but, after great work by Mark Kavanagh and Damien Devlin, Methody were penalised. Martin Connolly kicked a penalty to record the first Rainey points of the game and reduce the arrears to 15-3. The score remained at 15-3 until the interval. From the restart the Methodist College team took play deep into the Rainey half and after a number of phases the Methody centre, Mark Gribben, broke through the Rainey Endowed defence to touch down under the posts. Rudolph Benade added the conversion to see his team into a 22-3 lead. Rainey Endowed then kicked off and after a fumble in Methody defence the Rainey players hacked the ball over the Methody line where Samuel Hawe was first to the touchdown. The conversion was missed but the Rainey team had reduced the arrears to 22-8. Chris Moffett and Ryan Brown combined to threaten the Methody line but a last ditch tackle denied the Rainey team of a second try. The result was sealed when Rudolph Benade kicked a penalty for his Methody team to ensure a hard earned but, ultimately well-deserved, 25-8 victory and a place in the draw for the Quarter-Final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
All eight Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup matches had Ulster Society referees, assisted by recognised Ulster Society touch judges, officiating at the games.
This was recognised as adding greatly to the occasions and much appreciated by players, coaches and supporters at all the games.
Following the games in the 4th Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup the draws took place for the Quarter-Finals of the competition as well as the Quarter-Finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield. The draws were done by Mr Graham Lapsley representing the Northern Bank and Mr John Wilson, Chairman of the Ulster Schools’ Committee.
Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Quarter-Finals to be played on Saturday 25th February.
Wallace High School v Bangor Grammar School
Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Ballyclare High School
Methodist College v Banbridge Academy
Ballymena Academy v Campbell College
Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Quarter-Finals to be played on Saturday 25th February
Cambridge House v Limavady Grammar School
Rainey Endowed School v Royal School, Dungannon
Dalriada School v Royal School, Armagh
Coleraine Academical Institution v Grosvenor Grammar School.
There were three games in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Quarter-Finals played on Saturday 11th February.
Regent House hosted Belfast High School at the Circular Road venue in Newtownards. From the kick off the Belfast High School team pressurised the Regent line and were successful with a penalty from Robbie Reid after five minutes when Regent infringed at the breakdown. This penalty gave the visitors a 3-0 lead but seemed to spur the home side into action. Quick ruck ball from the Regent House pack saw the Regent House backs display good skills and send full back, Curtis McCartney, in for a try out wide. Alan Sinnamon was successful with the conversion to give his team a 7-3 lead. The strong Belfast High pack bossed a number of the break down situations with Ryan McGonigle particularly impressive in this aspect of his play. After twenty five minutes pressure from Regent House saw their scrum half, Gary Wright, dart over on the blind side to touch down for a try. Alan Sinnamon was, once again, successful with the conversion to give his team a 14-3 lead. Close to the interval the Regent House vice-captain and right wing, Jonny Carmichael, made a great break from the halfway line only to be denied over the line by a Belfast School tackle which knocked the ball from his grasp ensuring the score remained at 14-3 at the interval. Regent started the second half brightly with the breeze at their backs. They pressurised the Belfast High School 22m area but unforced errors prevented any score. The Regent House full back, Curtis McCartney, fielded a poor Belfast High School clearance kick. Curtis evaded a couple of despairing tackles to score a try in the corner. Alan Sinnamon’s conversion attempt came back off the upright which saw the score board now read 19-3 in favour of the home team. With ten minutes left Belfast High capitalised on a mix up in the Regent defence to have a number of rucks on the Regent line and, from one of these, the Belfast High centre, Ryan Elliott, stretched to score a try. Robbie Reid was successful with his conversion attempt to reduce the arrears to 19-10.This score seemed to lift the visitors and for the last five minutes Regent had to show their bottle in defence to secure a hard-earned 19-10 victory at the final whistle.
The Wellington College team has surprised a number of teams in their Schools’ Cup campaign this season.
They were looking forward to the visit of Belfast Royal Academy in the Quarter-Final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl game played at the Carolan Road venue. However, it was the Belfast Royal Academy team that controlled the game from start to finish, running out as comfortable 44-3 winners. Having built up a 19-3 halftime lead, the Academy backrow dominated proceedings with the trio of Daniel Dass, David Patterson and Stuart Martin scoring five tries between them in the course of the game. Other tries came from Jack Carlisle and Alex Wylie with the remaining points coming from the trusty boot of Jack Carlisle. In response, The Wellington College team played with great determination but had only a David Marshall penalty to show for their endeavours.
Foyle and Londonderry College hosted the Sullivan Upper team in the Quarter-Final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl competition. The Sullivan team seemed to have overcome the disappointment of losing their recent 3rd Round Schools’ Cup game against Grosvenor Grammar School and proceeded to control the game for most of the first half. Despite the Foyle College team taking a 3-0 lead through a Neil Burns penalty, it was the Sullivan Upper team that looked dangerous with the ball in hand. A midfield move opened up the opportunity for Chris Hayes to run in for a try. The conversion was missed but the Sullivan Upper team now had a 5-0 lead. A clever Oliver Matthews chip ahead was gathered by Rory Barton who showed the Foyle defence a clean pair of heals to run in for a try. Chris Hayes was successful with the conversion attempt to put his team into a 12-3 lead. The Sullivan Upper forwards and backs then proceeded to combine and present Rory Barton with a chance of a second try. Rory, once again, outpaced the despairing Foyle defence to run in for another try. Chris Hayes added the conversion and the Sullivan Upper team now had a 19-3 lead. On a rare excursion into the Sullivan Upper half, Neil Burns converted his second penalty of the game, for his Foyle College team, to reduce the arrears to 19-6. Just before the interval Josh Davidson extended the Sullivan Upper lead when he barged over the Foyle College line and touched down for a try. Chris Hayes was successful with the conversion to give the Sullivan Upper team an impressive 26-6 halftime lead. The Foyle College team started the second half strongly and got rewarded for their enterprising approach when Calvin Jones scored an unconverted try to reduce the arrears to 26-11. Neil Burns then scored a try which he converted to further reduce the arrears, this time to 26-18. Neil put further pressure on the Sullivan Upper psyche when he kicked a penalty to see the scoreline read 26-21 and the real possibility of a shock comeback result. However, the Sullivan Upper defence remained solid and the Sullivan Upper players celebrated their 26-21 victory when the final whistle sounded.
The fourth of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Quarter-Final games, featuring Portadown College against Down High School, was postponed as Portadown College could not get access to a playable pitch! Under the regulations of the competition the game should take place on Wednesday 15th February but with the half term break on this is unlikely!
Following these Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl games the draw was made for the Semi-Finals of the competition.
Regent House v Sullivan Upper
Belfast Royal Academy v Portadown College/Down High
These games are to be played on Saturday 25th February.
There were two Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Semi-Finals played on Saturday 11th February.
The Omagh Academy team hosted their close rivals from Portora Royal School in a game that was a rematch of last season’s Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy final which the Portora RS team won.
Despite a good start by the Omagh Academy team it was the Portora RS team that took an early 3-0 lead when they converted a penalty opportunity. The Omagh Academy team responded well to this setback and worked their way up the pitch into the Portora RS 22m area. However, they failed to come away with anything in terms of points. As the home team fought of more pressure from the visitors they started to gain the upper hand at the breakdown. Following several phases of possession the Omagh Academy captain, Ryan Mitchell, scored an unconverted in the corner and give his team a 5-3 lead. This gave the Omagh team a psychological advantage and they pressed further as the rest of the half progressed. However, there were no further scores in the first half and the teams turned around with the home side 5-3 ahead at the interval. As the second half began, the Omagh team began to dominate territory with Greg Deazley and Andy Allen keeping their opponents pinned in their own half with some clever kicking. This pressure was kept up for several minutes and a steal at a Portora line out allowed the Omagh Academy scrum half, Greg Deazley to snipe in the corner for an unconverted try and give his team a 10-3 lead. This seemed to inspire the Portora team who pushed their way into the Omagh 22m area and worked hard to get on the scoreboard. However, the Omagh Academy defence was well organised and committed. They turned over the ball on their own line through good work by their forwards allowing Greg Deazley to clear the danger. For the final seven minutes of the game the Omagh Academy pack laid siege to the Portora RS line. Eventually, Michael Gibson managed to scramble over the Portora RS line and touch down for an unconverted try to give his team a well-deserved 15-3 win and a place in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Final for the second successive season.
The second Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Semi- Final featured Larne Grammar School playing Friends’ School, Lisburn.
Both teams started well in front of a large crowd with Friend’s taking possession from the kick off. However, it was then quickly turned over with good work from the Larne forwards including Sam McWhirter and Ethan Kerr. Despite this it was the Friend’s School team that took the lead through a well struck Ross Robinson penalty from out wide to put them 3-0 up. This soon changed when the Larne team took control of possession in the lead up to the break. The Larne pack dominated the set pieces and this set up Larne to attack consistently inside the Friends’ School 22m area. Larne missed a penalty opportunity and the Lisburn School was able to advance up the pitch from the drop out but could not convert any opportunities that came their way. Just before the interval, the Larne Grammar School No 8,Callum Paton, picked off the back of the scrum and create an opportunity for fullback, Houston Saunderson, to slide into the corner for an unconverted try to take Larne into half time leading by 5-3. After an evenly fought first half the Larne team stepped it up in front of their home crowd where they again put pressure on the Friends’ School pack through their effective scrums. They were soon rewarded when Ryan McAlister crashed over the line after very good forward work from the Larne pack. This try was unconverted but the Larne team now had a 10-3 lead. Friends’ fought strongly to try and overcome the Larne defence but they could not make an advance over the gain line. Once again, Larne turned over good ball with good performances from Stephen Watts and Sam McWhirter at ruck time. Larne fly-half, Robert McKinley, sent up a high ball which was collected by Houston Saunderson who ran in for his second try of the game under the posts. Robert McKinley then converted this try to put Larne into an advanced lead at 17-3. In the closing stages of the game Larne still dominated possession through a series of scrum turnovers and quick attacking ball but the Friend’s defence held their own. At the final whistle it was the Larne Grammar School team that celebrated their 17-3 win and a place in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Final which will be played against Omagh Academy and held at a neutral venue, hopefully before the end of February.
