There were four Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final games, four Subsidiary Shield quarter-final games and one Ulster Schools’ Bowl semi-final game played on Saturday 19th February. It was another morning of thrills, spills, passion, commitment, joy and despair for the schoolboy rugby players in the Province.
Royal School, Armagh having despatched the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup holders, Ballymena Academy in Round 4, hosted another of the favourite teams to win this season’s competition, Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
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In a very competitive encounter, played in front of a large crowd, it was the home team that started the game in a very positive manner. They thought they had taken an early lead when Timmy McNeice thought he had scored a try only to have the score disallowed by the referee for a forward pass in the build up.
The RS Armagh team enjoyed the greater amount of possession in the course of the first period of play but good Belfast Inst defence denied the Armagh team a number of try scoring opportunities.
The home team took a 6-0 lead with Harry Boyd kicking two penalty opportunities. On a rare venture deep into Armagh territory, Matthew McGuigan converted a penalty kick for the Belfast Inst team with the last play of the first half to take the half time score to 6-3. The second half was much more entertaining. Harry Boyd increased the RS Armagh lead to 9-3 with another successful penalty kick. Matthew McGuigan responded with his second penalty of the game to reduce the deficit to 9-6. The Belfast Inst team was enjoying greater possession in the second half with Kevin McLean and Nathan Dugan causing problems for the home defence. However, Robbie Magowan, Harry Boyd and Stuart Hooks were able to ensure the RS Armagh line remained intact. Indeed, it was Stuart Hooks that turned defence into attack when he won turn over ball and ran strongly to score a try in the corner with just 15 minutes of the game remaining. The conversion was missed but the home team had a 14-6 lead. The Belfast Inst team continued to attack at every opportunity and, with just 4 minutes remaining, Matthew McGuigan was successful with his third penalty of the game to reduce the arrears to 19-9. The excitement was mounting and, with the last play of the game, the Belfast Inst team was rewarded for their expansive approach when Ben Alexander blasted over for a try. Matthew McGuigan rattled the conversion attempt against the upright which left the score at 14-14. The teams will meet again on Wednesday 23rd February at Osbourne Park for the replay.
Belfast Royal Academy travelled to play Coleraine AI without the services of their Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 outhalf, Stuart Olding.
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The visitors started well and had the opportunity to take an early lead when a Coleraine AI player was penalised for an infringement at a ruck. However, the penalty attempt was missed and this seemed the spur the home team into action. Paddy Farrell, Alan Clarke and Stuart McCaffrey were attacking the Belfast Royal Academy defence at every opportunity. Ryan Clarke, Eoin Devlin, Matthew Robinson and their BRA team mates were working hard in defence and successfully thwarted the Coleraine waves of attack. That was until 15 minutes into the game when a loose clearance kick from the BRA defence was gathered by Paddy Farrell on his own 10 metre line. Paddy set of on an attacking run leaving a wake of despairing Belfast Royal Academy defenders in his wake. He touched down for a fine individual try which was converted by Michael Poskitt to give the Coleraine AI team a 7-0 lead. This set back seemed to spur the BRA team into action and they took the game to the Coleraine team. However, the home defence was well organised and disciplined ensuring the 7-0 scoreline remained until half time. The home team lost Michael Poskitt to injury early in the second half causing Stuart McCaffrey to step into the crucial No 10 slot. Stuart controlled the game very well by putting in some great clearance kicks and frustrating the regular Belfast Royal Academy attacks. There were no further scores despite the attacking instincts of both teams. The defences were on top during the second period of play ensuring it was the Coleraine Academical Institution team that progressed through to the semi-final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup with their well-deserved 7-0 win.
The Sullivan Upper team, having played away from home in their two previous Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup matches, was delighted to have a quarter-final game at home against Ballyclare High School.
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This game ensured the return of the Ballyclare High School coach, Dan Soper, to his previous place of employment and what a welcome he got! From the kick off the Sullivan team regained possession and following a good number of phases scored a try in the corner with Michael Scott getting the touch down. Ross Adair kicked an excellent conversion to put his team into a 7-0 lead after only two minutes of play. The Ballyclare High School team responded positively to this unexpected setback and went on to control the majority of territory and possession for the remainder of the first half. Jonny Holmes converted two penalty opportunities to reduce the deficit to 7-6. Jonny was thriving on the quality possession supplied by his pack and the Ballyclare team was put constantly into positions allowing them to threaten the Sullivan line. Prop forward, Jonny Craig trundled over the Sullivan line for a try which was converted by Jonny Holmes to give the visitors a 13-7 lead. No 8, Jonny Darling then scored a fine individual try which was, once again, converted by Jonny Holmes to put his team into a 20-7 lead. Close to the interval Jonny Douglas capitalised on some good work from his pack to crash over for a try. The extras were added by Jonny Holmes to put the Ballyclare High School team into a 27-7 half time lead. The home started the second half strongly with their players looking dangerous from boken play situations. Ross Adair reduced the deficit to 27-10 with a well struck penalty. The Ballyclare team responded with a try from Mark Logan to take the score to 32-10. The Sullivan team now seemed to find another gear and took the game to a startled Ballyclare High School team. Ross Adair touched down twice with Oliver Loughead scoring a fine individual try. Ross added two conversions to take the score to 32-29 with just minutes remaining. Was the large crowd in attendance at the game about to witness one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the Ulster Schools’ Cup? Alas, from a Sullivan perspective it was not to be! Patrick Reid ensured it was the Ballyclare team that progressed through to the semi-final stage of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup when he crashed over the Sullivan line for an unconverted try with just seconds remaining to leave the final score reading 37-29 in favour of his Ballyclare High School team.
Close by at Fox’s Field, the home of Campbell College there was another enthralling Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final encounter going on. The Methodist College team, accompanied by a large crowd of supporters, were the visitors and the scene was set for a good game.
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The home team started well dominating territory and possession. John Creighton, Chris Farrell and Chris Best asked questions of the Methodist College defence but the Methody defence responded positively with Mark Gribben, Peter Colhoun and Matthew McFall working hard to ensure their line remained intact. On a rare visit into the Campbell College 22m area, the Methody team won a through with Ryan Annett. The visitors maintained and controlled the possession going through several phases before releasing their right winger Elliott Mooney. Elliot took control of the situation to touch down for a try in the corner 15 minutes into the game. The conversion kick was unsuccessful but the Methodist College team had a 5-0 lead. The Methodist College was starting to dominate the forward exchanges and 8 minutes later they won a scrum inside the Campbell College 22m area. They Methody back row, in tandem with their half backs, worked the ball to both sides of the pitch before creating the space for their outhalf, Adam Berry, to score a try in the corner. Once again the conversion was missed but the Methody team had a 10-0 lead. The Methody team continued to put pressure on the Campbell College line but the home defence was well organised and ensured no further scores in the first half. Campbell College started the second period of play in a much more determined manner and looked as if they were about to score 15 minutes into the second half when Chris Best had the line at his mercy. It took a marvellous cover tackle from David Rea to prevent the score causing Chris to drop the ball over the Methodist College line. However, from the restart the Methody midfield defence missed a tackle allowing Rory Scholes the space to create an opportunity for his winger, Rob Haldane to run in for a try. The try was not converted but the deficit had been reduced to 10-5. The home team was growing in confidence and continued to put pressure on the Methodist College defence. Following a series of picks and drives close to the Methody line, ex Methody pupil, Mark Best, summoned up sufficient energy to drive over the Methody line for a well-deserved try. The conversion was missed but the scoreline was now reading 10-10. Both teams were going all out for the win but both defences were well organised. Following a spectacular, but unsuccessful, drop goal attempt from Adam Berry, the home team took a quick drop out with only minutes remaining. This took play deep into Methodist College territory and the Campbell team had the scent of victory. Mark Best looked certain to score only for an excellent tackle from Peter Logan to stop him. The ball was turned over and played into touch when the final whistle went. Both teams will do it all again when they meet in the replay at Pirrie Park on Wednesday 23rd February.
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There were 4 Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield quarter-final games played on Saturday 19th February.
Bangor Grammar School hosted Grosvenor Grammar School
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in a game that saw a first half of poor quality rugby, with play being best described as scrappy. Events were very different in the second half as both sides adapted to the wet conditions and produced a much better second half performance for the watching supporters. Despite the best efforts of the referee who did his best to let both teams play as much rugby as possible by using the advantage rule as frequently as possible, the first half was best remembered by the sound of his whistle as frequent mistakes from both teams ensured the half was a stop start affair. Although dominating much of the opening play in terms of territory, the Bangor team was unable to make their pressure count in terms of scoring opportunities. On their first visit into the Bangor 22 m area, Grosvenor were awarded a penalty which they kicked to touch. Grosvenor have built up an excellent reputation as the season has progressed based on the strength of their forwards and from the resultant line out, they pressurised the Bangor line and were eventually rewarded with a try by prop forward Mark Foster who scored a try following a driven maul. The conversion was missed but the Grosvenor team had moved into a 5-0. Realising that they were facing difficult opponents, Bangor began to move the ball away from the contact situation and soon began to pressurise the Grosvenor defence again. Soon after, Bangor had an opportunity to open their account when they were awarded a penalty to the left of the posts. Unfortunately this difficult kick was missed. Soon after this the Bangor team was awarded another penalty which was expertly converted by out half, Daniel Kennedy, to leave the score 3 – 5 in Grosvenor’s favour at half time. A very different Bangor team came out for the second half. Passes went to hand and were no longer dropped and this allowed the fast moving Bangor back line to stretch their legs and put on an excellent display of attacking rugby. With their hard working pack beginning to gain parity in the forward exchanges thanks to the efforts of Gareth Irvine, Luke Dornan and Darren Kelly, the Bangor back line began to move the ball wide as often as possible. This adventurous play allowed full back Mark Armstrong to enter the line on numerous occasions, causing problems for the visiting defence. One such occasion led to Grosvenor straying offside in from of their posts. Daniel Kennedy was successful with the resultant penalty kick to put his team into a 6-5 lead. Grosvenor responded to this setback and scored a another try when their hard working second row, Matthew Davison, showed excellent speed to race in from 12m metres to put his team back into a 10-6 lead By using their fast moving backs, Bangor exerted further pressure on the Grosvenor team who began to give away a string of penalties. Despite the best efforts of the referee in talking to the players and making them aware of their indiscretions, he had no option but to finally produce a yellow card for persistent infringements, with a Grosvenor player spending time on the touch line. With the penalty being kicked, Grosvenor’s lead had been reduced to 1 point. Further attacking play by Bangor led to a further successful penalty kick by Daniel Kennedy to give Bangor the lead by 12 – 10. Bangor further increased their lead when right winger Matthew Hamilton raced in at the corner to put Bangor in the lead by 17 – 10. This try was the result of good attacking play and an injection of speed from Phil Harper who left his left wing position and created the overlap for the try. Soon after, Bangor further increased their lead when Gareth Irvine showed all the skills of a supporting back row player to add a further try and give his team a 22-10 lead. Straight from the kick off, Bangor returned to the attack. Following a determined take by James Leary, who had his best game of the season for the Bangor team; Karl Lamont switched play to put Matthew Hamilton clear. Using his pace, Matthew took play from his own 22m area close to the Grosvenor line where he was tackled by the covering Grosvenor defence. Much to the delight of his team mates and Bangor supporters, Karl Lamont had continued in support and was able to take an inside pass to score a richly deserved try. The way that “Lammy” was mobbed by his team mates showed their delight at his well taken try. With Daniel Kennedy adding the extras with his conversion, Bangor had won this match by 29 – 10.
Wallace High School had a severe test of their credentials when they travelled to play Down High School in the Schools’ Subsidiary Shield quarter-final.
Following their recent agonising 10-9 Schools’ Cup defeat by Ballyclare fate dealt Down High another cruel blow on Saturday when they lost to Wallace High in the Subsidiary Shield competition by the same narrow one point margin. Again this was a match when Down High were arguably the better side but they continually made errors, many unforced, which prevented them from dominating the play and closing out the game when it was there for the taking. Wallace kicked off and the early exchanges were evenly contested with an aggressive Wallace pack more than matched by the Down High eight who were particularly impressive in the scrums where Stuart Orr and Patrick Gifford provided a solid base. Unfortunately, the Down High lineout was not functioning quite so well and Down High proceeded to lose their first three throws allowing Wallace to gain possession. As the first half went on Down High began to settle and looked like dominating with Matthew McKeown and Chris McBurney carrying well but self-inflicted mistakes kept handing possession back to Wallace who were more than willing to move the ball wide and attack the Down High flanks. On 33 minutes the deadlock was broken when Down High were awarded a penalty 30 metres out to the right of the posts after a Wallace player was adjudged to have prevented quick release of the ball at a ruck. Justin Rea converted to give Down High a slender 3 -0 lead and despite spending the last few minutes of the half camped on the Wallace line, Down High failed to capitalise and went into the break with only a 3 – 0 lead. Wallace made a positive start to the second half but the Down High defence held strong and soaked up the pressure. On 42 minutes the home team was awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Justin Rea converted to increase the Down High School lead to 6 – 0. Down High collected the restart and looked to move the ball wide but unfortunately the final pass was spilt. Dean Irvine gratefully collected the ball, countered attacked from 50 metres out before passing to Jordan Heatley who beating the Down High defender before putting Cal McIlwaine clear to score a fine breakaway try. Despite scuffing his conversion kick, David Scott added the extras and suddenly Down High found themselves 7 – 6 down. On 53minutes Wallace High School moved further ahead through a David Scott penalty straight in front of the posts when a Down High School player was tackled and penalised for not releasing, leaving the score 10 -6 in favour of the boys from Lisburn. Justin Rea missed a difficult penalty chance on 56 minutes but made amends a few minutes later when a Wallace player was penalised at a ruck and he converted from left of the posts to take the score to 10 – 9 and set up a nail biting finish. With 10 minutes remaining the Wallace team was making great use of their driving maul and found themselves camped on the Down High School line. They spurned a try scoring opportunity when their No 8, Daniel Henry, dropped the ball over the line. The Down High School defence held solid with big hits from Tommy McConnell, John Donnan and Sean Walsh, who, having come on as a replacement, had an outstanding second half. A penalty to Down High relieved the pressure and a long kick to the corner took play into the Wallace 22 but as the Down High team prepared for a final assault the referee blew the final whistle –leaving the Wallace High School team as much relieved 10-9 winners.
Belfast High School hosted Ballymena Academy in the Subsidiary Shield quarter-final played at the Shore Road venue.
A bright and dry morning allowed both teams to play some expansive rugby. Immediately from the kick off, the away side registered the opening try of the day. A line break from John Andrew created space for Callum Patterson who off-loaded to Caleb Morrison to race clear and score below the posts. Caleb converted his own try and was instrumental in the second try of the morning. Ballymena played through several phases before moving the ball wide to Jonny McClelland who finished in the corner with an unconverted try to give his team a 12-0 lead. Belfast High then enjoyed a sustained period of territory and possession and were rewarded when their pack rumbled over enabling Ryan McGonigle to score an unconverted try in the 15th minute to leave the score reading 12-5. Ballymena Academy added two more tries before half time. An outstanding counter-attack from Jordan Foster was finished by the supporting Peter Wallace and Nicholas Stirling showed excellent pace to beat several defenders for a try just before the half time whistle. Caleb Morrison converted both tries to leave the half time score reading 26-5 to the visitors. In the second half, Ballymena made a raft of changes to give their replacements some game time. Just before leaving the field their Captain, John Andrew, was on hand to finish in the corner for the first try of the second half. Caleb Morrison was successful with his touchline conversion to stretch the lead to 33-5. Minutes later, Jack Fleming scored in the same corner following another break from Jordan Foster. With the score reading 38-5, the home team deserve much credit for electing to run several kickable penalties and were rewarded for their positive play with another try following a drive by their dynamic pack. This time it was Jake Toan who got the touch down. A Ballymena player was yellow-carded midway through the second half and this allowed Belfast High to continue to enjoy some territory and possession. However, it was Ballymena Academy who scored the final try of the morning when Peter Wallace finished below the posts. Caleb Morrison added the extras to leave the final score reading 45-10 in favour of the Ballymena Academy team.
Dalriada School hosted Regent House in a closely contested game in Ballymoney.
The Dalriada team was forced to stage a second half having conceded a try mid-way through the first half when the strong Regent pack forced the Dalriada team into making mistakes, especially in defence. Stephen Deering took advantage of one of these mistakes to cross the Dalriada line for an unconverted try to give his team a 5-0 lead. Towards the end of the first period of play Jonny McLaughlin took advantage of a Ben Henderson break to take play deep into Regent House territory only to be stoppe4d by a cover defence tackle just short of the line. The Regent team took their 5-0 lead into the half time break and started the second period of play strongly. Eventually, the home team gained some worthwhile possession and they used it well. Jonny McMullan ran a great line to cut through a static Regent defence and touch down for his 14th try of the season. The try was not converted but the balanced had been redressed to 5-5. Regent infringed at a ruck a short time later and Ewan Strang converted the penalty to give his team an 8-5 lead. This lead was then extended when Jonny McMullan made another break to release his Captain, Roger Bonnar, for the try in the corner. Ewan Strang slotted the difficult conversion kick accurately to put his team into a 15-5 lead. The Regent team changed their tactics and started to move the ball into the wide channels. This paid off when Steven Colwell ran in for a fine try. Nathan Burns converted to reduce the deficit to 15-12. With only a few minutes remaining, Regent continued to apply the pressure on the Dalriada line but the home defence was well organised and kept their line intact to ensure a narrow but well-deserved 15-12 victory and a place in the semi-final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield.
There was one Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl semi-final played on Saturday when Rainey Endowed School entertained Banbridge Academy.
Banbridge Academy started the game very strongly but had only a Chrissy Craig penalty to show for their endeavours after 15 minutes of dominance. The pattern of the game changed somewhat when the visitors lost the services of their influential centre, Matthew Kerr, to injury. Matthew had made a number of storming runs from midfield positions and the home defence was in difficulties every time he got the ball. His loss impacted on the visitors and the Rainey team started to take control of proceedings. Despite losing their hooker, Owen Devlin, to injury his replacement, Jack McCalmont came on to make an impact. A combination of good work from Jack McCalmont, Thomas Booth and Martin Connolly created the space for Fintan Quinn to run in for a fine try. The conversion was missed but the Rainey team had a 5-3 lead which they maintained until the half time whistle. In the second period of play Rainey gained the upper hand. Jamie Burrows and Damien McMurray were doing a lot of damage and making a lot of ground with telling breaks. Rainey also had the initiative up front with their Captain, Luke Steele, and “man of the match” James Kelso dominating the forward exchanges. Rainey’s second try was to come through the forwards when after a number of close quarter drives James Kelso crashed over for a try. Martin Connolly converted the try to give the Rainey Endowed team a 12-3 lead. Rainey continued to be on top for most of the rest of the game but a late surge from Banbridge made the final few minutes very tense. From a 5 metre lineout in his own 22m area, Mark Mc Erlean rose high to steal a Banbridge throw. Rainey cleared their lines and the whistle went to leave Rainey the 12-3 victors in this very keenly fought contest.
There was one non cup game played when Royal School, Dungannon hosted a Limavady Grammar School team still smarting from their recent defeat by Foyle and Londonderry College in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl competition.
The RS Dungannon started strongly with Peter Nelson picking an excellent running line to score a try under the Limavady posts after only a few minutes play. Peter converted his own try to give his team a 7-0 lead. From the restart Limavady began to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. They started to edge the possession and territory and got back on level terms through skipper Nathan Barr. From a ruck in the Dungannon 22m area, Nathan broke down the blindside and evaded several tackles before touching down in the corner. Nathan added the extras from wide out to take the score to 7-7. For the remainder of the half both teams tried to play an enterprising brand of rugby but the defences were on top and there were no further first half scores. There was a sense of deja vu at the beginning of the second period as Dungannon registered another early try, once again through Peter Nelson. His conversion hit the post and bounced over to give his team a 14-7 lead. This spurred Limavady on and they began to dominate the forward exchanges. They put several phases together and were beginning to find holes in the Dungannon defence. After slick interplay between backs and forwards the Limavady Grammar School outside centre, John Fallows, touched down 10 metres in from touch. Nathan Barr was successful once again with his conversion to level the score at 14-14. Minutes later Peter Nelson completed his hat trick with a fine individual try. Peter failed to convert his try failed but his team had a 19-14 lead. With 10 minutes remaining Limavady levelled the scores for a third time when loose head prop, Conor Crampsie, powered his way over the line 5 metres in from touch. Nathan Barr again added the extras to put his side into a 21-19 lead. For the remainder of the game Limavady Grammar School were the more positive side in the closing stages and almost increased their lead when Matthew Keys thought he had scored only to be pulled back due to a forward pass in the build-up. The visitors held on and were delighted to register a 21-19 win at the final whistle.
