When the Royal School, Armagh played the Royal School, Dungannon in a midweek fixture on Wednesday 26th September at the College Hill venue, both teams were missing key players due to injury and U19 Inter Provincial commitments.
The Royal School, Armagh team dominated proceedings in the first half. They opened the scoring with a fortuitous first try which was scored by Matthew Hooks early in the game. The try was not converted but the home team had a 5-0 lead. The RS Dungannon team was experiencing difficulties in getting in terms of worthwhile possession or position. On a rare visit to the RS Armagh team Jack Milligan converted a penalty opportunity midway through the first half to reduce the arrears to 5-3. The RS Armagh team proceeded to dominate all aspects of the game for the remainder of the first half. They scored two tries through Kurtis Sherry and Gerard Treanor with Matthew Hooks adding the conversions to give his team a comfortable 19-3 half time lead.
The second half saw the RS Dungannon team start strongly and dominate both possession and territory. Jack Milligan displayed good game management skills to put his team into strong positions in the RS Armagh 22 m area. On occasions, the visitors got behind the home defence but, all too often, the final pass went astray. The RS Armagh team did manage to take play deep into Dungannon territory in the final ten minutes of the game. They had opportunities to score but found the Duingannon defence to be resolute. That was until the final play of the game when James Johnston ran strongly to touch down for a try. Matthew Hooks added the conversion to see the RS Armagh team continue their unbeaten start to the season with a 26-3 victory.
Dalriada hosted Ballymena Academy in a midweek fixture and it was a good day for Dalriada rugby with both the 1stxv and 2nd xv’s recording good wins against their Ballymena counterparts. The 1stxv started off well attacking at every opportunity and testing the Ballymena defence. Dalriada got a penalty and Timothy Emerson kicked it to the corner to set up a lineout. The lineout got taken down straight away but Dalriada set up a few phases around the ruck and then David McKeeman picked the ball from the back and drove over the line to score the first try of the game. Timothy Emerson converted to make the score 7-0 in favour of the Dalriada team. A lack of concentration from Dalriada led to Ballymena’s first try from Oliver Simpson. Andrew McGrath converted to bring the score to 7-7. Ballymena, having scored their first ry, stayed on the front foot attacking Dalriada at every opportunity. Brian Mulholland scored a try which Andrew McGrath converted to see his team into a 14-7 lead. Dalriada were very determined to get another try before half time and a good break from Timothy Emerson who off-loaded the ball to Peter Dunlop who ran in for a try. The try was converted was converted by Timothy Emerson to take the score to 14-14 at the interval.
With both teams eager to win it made for a very interesting second half. Dalriada started off this half the better of the two teams with Timothy Emerson running through to put down the ball after a defensive kick had been charged down. Timothy converted his own try to put his team into a 21-14 lead. Another good serge from Ballymena Accademy led to their third converted try from Andrew Magrath bringing the score to 21-21 with ten minutes to go. Dalriada got a penalty soon after but it just missed. Ballymena restarted and Dalriada pressed right back into their half and this resulted in another penalty. Rory Strang slotted this one to bring the score to 24-21 in favour of the Dalriada team with just three minutes to go. Some heroic defence from Dalriada kept Ballymena out of their half and Ballymena finally knocked it on from the pressure to end the game and secure a hard earned 24-21 win for the Dalriada team.
The Royal School, Armagh team entertained Down High School on Saturday 29th September. The Down High team was back to full strength after the Schools’ Inter Provincial series while the Armagh team had players involved in the IRFU U19 play-off games. The Down High School team took the game to Armagh from the kick-off and opened the scoring when Daniel Stanfield ran in for a try following good work from Kelvin Hamilton and the Down High School pack. The try was not converted but the Down High School team had a 5-0 lead. The RS Armagh team responded positively to this setback and controlled possession as well as territory for a period of time. However, they ran up against a very committed and well organised Down High defence which refused to concede any points. It was the Down High team that was able to extend their lead when Luca Rea converted a penalty opportunity following an Armagh infringement at a ruck. The Down High team now had an 8-0 lead which became 13-0 just before half time. Paddy Wright made a great midfield break which was carried on by some good interplay involving both forwards and backs. The space was created on the outside for Toni Rush to touch down for an unconverted try and give his team a 13-0 interval lead.
The RS Armagh team attacked at every opportunity in the second half but could not find a way through the opposition defence. That was until late in the game when John Dunne ran in for a try which was converted by Matthew Hooks. However, it was a case of “too little, too late” for the RS Armagh team and it was Down High School that celebrated their 13-7 victory after the final whistle. The foundations of this win were laid by the Down High School pack with Thomas Donnan, Kelvin Hamilton and Callum Kerr all playing well. The RS Armagh team can take some positives out of their first loss of the season, particularly the performance of Neill Montgomery.
Banbridge Academy got back to winning ways when they hosted Portora Royal School. The first quarter of the game was evenly contested but once the home team scored a converted try from out half, Paddy Hayes, after twenty two minutes, the end result was never really in doubt. The Banbridge 7-0 lead became 12-0 when No 8, Matthew Best, touched down for an unconverted try. Just before the interval, Matthew Armstrong scored in the corner to see his team into a 17-0 half time lead.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Rory Thompson scored a try which Paddy Hayes converted to increase the Banbridge lead to 22-0. Rory Thompson’s centre partner, Gareth Liggett then touched down twice on fifty five and sixty five minutes. Paddy Hayes added the extras to see the home team lead increase to 36-0. The Portora team scored a converted try with the final play of the game to leave the final score reading 36-7 in favour of the Banbridge Academy team for whom Rory Thompson had an outstanding game.
Omagh Academy kept up their recent run of good results with a comprehensive win at Carrickfergus Grammar School. Scott Hemphill opened the scoring for the Omagh Academy team when he touched down for a try after five minutes of the game. James Catterson converted the try to give his team a 7-0 lead. The Carrickfergus Grammar School team responded immediately to this setback and took advantage of some poor Omagh defence to score a converted try to see the scoreline read 7-7. Lloyd Kane then scored for the Omagh team to give them a 12-7 lead. This became 14-7 when James Catterson added the extras. Despite the best efforts of both teams there were no further scores in the first half.
The second half saw the Omagh team step up a couple of gears. Dean Henderson took advantage of hesitancy in the home defence to gather a box kick and outpace the chasing pack to score under the posts. James Catterson converted the try to increase the Omagh lead to 21-7. Lloyd Kane scored his second try taking advantage of good work from James Catterson who converted the try to see the Omagh lead extend to 28-7. Further tries from James Catterson, who converted his own try, Adam Wilson as well as penalty try saw the Omagh Academy team record a well-deserved 47-7 win in this entertaining game.
Lurgan College, after a shaky start against Wellington College, thought they had done enough to win the game, only to be denied with the last kick of the game. The Wellington team scored a try and kicked a penalty in the first half to which the Lurgan team responded with a Drew Davis try.
Despite being 8-5 down at half time, a great midfield break from Jack Hanna early in the second half paved the way for Dean Wilson to barge over for an unconverted try and give his team a 10-8 lead. Wellington scored an unconverted try to see them regain the lead with the score reading 13-10 in their favour. The Lurgan team regrouped with Craig Lyttle and Benjy Murtagh combining to send Mark McIlwaine in for a try. The conversion was missed but the Lurgan team had a 15-13 lead with just minutes remaining. The Wellington team took play deep into Lurgan territory and the Lurgan team was penalised for an infringement at the break down. With just seconds remaining the Wellington kicker held his nerve to slot the kick over and see his team record a hard earned 16-15 win. The Lurgan College team was gutted but can take some consolation from the performances of players such as Des Bingham and Ryan McCann.
Following their disappointing midweek outing against Dalriada, the Ballymena Academy side was keen to show an improved performance against another local rival when Coleraine Academical Institution made the journey to the Galgorm Road venue on Saturday 29th. Both teams welcomed back their representative players and the weather conditions made for a fast-paced game. Indeed, it was the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ winger, Thomas Gaston, who opened the scoring after twelve minutes when he kicked ahead and gathered the ball before outpacing the opposition defence to touch down in the corner. Andrew Magrath was unable to convert but made amends shortly afterwards when he added the extras following a Brian Mulholland try to give his team a 12-0 lead. Duncan Maguire powered over after thirty minutes with Andrew Magrath converting again to increase the Ballymena Academy lead to 19-0. It was Andrew who added the fourth try of the half following a pacey run. The half time whistle sounded with the score 24 – 0 to the home team.
The second half continued as the first had ended when Chris Fowler was on hand to charge over from close range. Andrew Magrath converted and, shortly afterwards, converted his second try of the morning when he was the beneficiary of a fine run by Michael Gillan. The best try of the morning saw Thomas Gaston and Scott Bashford counter-attack and then link to Brian Mulholland who scored below the posts. Andrew Magrath again converted to take the score to 45 – 0. Coleraine enjoyed a period of sustained attacking pressure in which Conor Shields created several try-scoring opportunities. However, the Ballymena defence held firm and the home team had the final say when Josh McIlroy showed great pace to finish in the corner. Andrew Magrath again converted to take his own points tally to 22 and his team to a winning margin of 52-0.
The Friends’ School team travelled to Larne to play Larne Grammar School not having played for two weeks. There was no sign of any rustiness from the Friends’ School team as they controlled the game from the kick off. Jack Ravey, Dean Howes and Ross Robinson all scored first half tries, two of which Ross Robinson converted. The Larne Grammar School team responded with an unconverted try from their captain, Corey Burleigh, to see half time score read 19-5 in favour of the Friends’ team.
The second half saw more of the same from the Friends’ team. Ross Robinson controlled the game well and received good assistance from Jack Ravey, Dylan Lewis, on his return to 1stxv rugby, and Dean Howes. They scored second half tries through Peter Ferguson, Ross Robinson, Dean Howes and Jason Hassard. Ross Robinson converted three of the tries to secure a 45-5 victory for the Friends’ School team. The Larne team will take some consolation from the fact they created a number of scoring chances and were unlucky not to convert a few of them.
In beautiful overhead conditions at the Killicomaine Road venue, Portadown College and Rainey Endowed School played for the annual ‘Vincent Doyle Memorial Cup’. Rainey came out of the blocks quickly and put the home side under some early pressure but Portadown’s defence held firm. Rainey created some excellent chances and Matthew McCready made an encouraging break but was stopped short of the Portadown College line. The visitors also went very close through centre, John Stewart, and winger, Odhran McCloy, but the Portadown tackling was sound. Left wing, Gavin Pollock, was displaying promise when going forward. As the game settled down Portadown began to show signs of promise. They launched their own attacks and from one of these they were awarded a penalty which their out half, Niall Davidson, converted to give them a 3-0 lead. Portadown continued to attack and this seemed to unsettle the visitors. The home side then got the opening try of the game when their flanker, Aaron Abraham, took advantage of a good break from Ben Matchett to an unconverted try in the corner to increase their lead to 8-0. Rainey continued to struggle to find any form and made too many basic errors to trouble the home side. The half time whistle went with Portadown leading 8-0.
Rainey took the half time break too regroup and introduced Jamie Nobles and Jonathan Lees. This seemed to make an immediate effect as, straight from the kick off. Rainey went on the attack and got an early try. Jamie Noble fielded a kick and was supported by Eunan Shaw, who fed out half, Kieran Lynch. Kieran showed an excellent turn of pace to touch down for a try. Arran Murphy converted to reduce the arrears to 8-7. A transformed Rainey side now dominated both field position and possession. Good work from forwards such as Jonathan Kyle and Michael Nevin put them in promising attacking positions. Another fine break by Kieran Lynch caused Portadown to infringe and Aaran Murphy converted the penalty to give Rainey a 10-8 lead. Portadown were struggling to get out of their 22m area and Rainey continued to attack at every opportunity. Full back, Matthew Stewart, then worked his way in behind the home defence where he found Mark Kavanagh in support. Mark made good ground before off-loading to his captain, Michael Dawson. Michael crashed over the Portadown line to touch down for an unconverted try and extend the Rainey lead to 15-8. Portadown showed that they were not beaten when Niall Davidson from his own half beating a number of defenders before being dragged down by a try saving tackle from Odhran Mc Cloy. The Rainey pack now dominated many of the exchanges which gave scrum half, Oisin Quinn lots of time to exploit the home defence. Hooker Sam Hawe started a great move deep in the home defence. He was supported by Jonathan Lees who made a thundering run through many Portadown tackles. When he was stopped, 2nd row, Diarmuid Devlin was on hand but just failed to score. Many of the Magherafelt boys were now causing problems for the home defence. When Rainey centre Aaran Murphy found a gap Michael Dawson was in close support. He then made a scoring pass to Oisinn Quinn who touched down under the posts. Aaran added the conversion to take the score to 22-8 in favour of the Rainey Endowed team. With time running out Rainey searched for a fourth score but the final whistle sounded with Rainey winning 22=8 and regaining the ‘Vincent Doyle Memorial Cup’.
Sullivan Upper and Belfast Royal Academy were back to full strength when the two sides met in Holywood on Saturday 29th. Scott Finlay and Chris Griffiths returned to the Sullivan team while Daniel Dass and Stuart Martin were back in Belfast Royal Academy colours following their participation in the Schools’ Inter Provincial games. Sullivan Upper controlled proceedings in the first half. They established a 19-5 half time lead with tries from Angus McCartney, Charlie Burrows and Michael Cartmill. Mark Adair was successful with two conversion attempts. In response, the Belfast Royal academy team scored an unconverted try through Daniel Dass.
Sullivan Upper continued to control the game in the course of the second half. The visitors did score a try as well as convert a penalty opportunity but the Sullivan Upper team ran in further tries from Angus McCartney and Charlie Burrows as well as one each from Scott Finlay and Harry Harper. Three conversions from Mark Adair ensured a 45-13 win for the Sullivan Upper team.
Foyle and Londonderry College travelled to play Royal School, Dungannon in what turned out to be a very exciting, high scoring game. The RS Dungannon team started well and early pressure forced the Foyle team into giving away early penalties. Jack Milligan converted one of these to give his team a 3-0 lead. Eventually, the visitors came into the game and soft home defence enabled the Foyle team to run in three unanswered tries all of which were converted to give them a 21-3 lead. The RS Dungannon team responded positively and Calum Bain took advantage of some good play from his forwards to run in for a try. Jack Milligan converted the try to reduce the arrears to 21-10. Just before the interval the Foyle and Londonderry College team touched down for their fourth try of the game to see them into a 26-10 half time lead.
Just after the restart the RS Dungannon team conceded another converted try to put the Foyle team into a 33-10 lead. The home team displayed great commitment to score two tries through centre, James Fegan. Jack Milligan added the conversions to see the score board read 33-24. The Foyle and Londonderry College team responded with an unconverted try to take the score to 38-24 in their favour. However, the scoring had not yet stopped and Jacob McCammon touched down for a consolation try on the final whistle to see the Foyle and Londonderry College team record a 38-29 victory at the end of this game.
The Wallace High School team was missing quite a few key players when they hosted Limavady Grammar School. Players such as Peter Weir, Zach McCall and Aaron Gilkinson had picked up injuries while on Ulster Schools’ and U19’s duty while Jordan Grattan was playing for the U19’s in the IRFU Play-Offs in Ashbourne. The Wallace High School team scored unconverted tries through Chris Knowles and Josh Collingwood with James McCallan weighing in with a penalty. In response, the Limavady Grammar School team scored two tries, one of which was converted, to leave the final score reading 13-12 in favour of the Wallace High School team.
In another schools’ game featuring Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Ballyclare High School, the Belfast Inst team emerged as 34-27 winners. The game involving Campbell College and Blackrock College was postponed as the Campbell College team are due to play the New Zealand School, Lindisfarne College early next week.
The Ulster U19 team featured a number of schoolboy players when they took part in the IRFU U19 Play-Offs at Ashbourne Rugby Club on Saturday 29th. The whole day provided a feast of age-grade rugby for players and spectators alike. The Ulster U19 team opened proceedings against the Exiles U19 team, a team that included former Ulster European Cup Winner, Mark Blair, among their management team.
The Ulster team started poorly by conceding a try in the first minute. The Ulster defence failed to deal with an innocuous kick and the Exiles centre, Jacob Knight, won the foot rush to touch down for an unconverted try to give his team a 5-0 lead. The Ulster team responded in a positive manner and took play deep into the Exiles half. They came close on a number of occasions but mistakes close to the Exiles line ensured no scores. However, Jordan Grattan did get a touch down ten minutes into the game when he broke through a hesitant defence to score a try. The conversion was missed but the Ulster team was back in the game with score reading 5-5. Despite Ulster controlling most of the possession it was the Exiles that scored next. Ulster indiscipline at the breakdown was punished when Joe Carolan converted the resultant penalty to put the Exiles into an 8-5 lead after twenty five minutes of the game. Ulster should have scored a number of times before the interval but they didn’t! The first half finished with the Exiles maintaining their 8-5 lead.
A few well-chosen words from the Ulster U19 coaches, Kieran Campbell and Brian McLaughlin, at the interval saw the Ulster team start the 2nd half strongly. Justin Rea equalised the score to 8-8 with a penalty ten minutes after the restart. A few minutes later direct running from Peter Cromie saw him go over for an unconverted try to put the Ulster team into a 13-8 lead. Andrew Butler then scored in the corner following quick ruck ball being used well by his inside backs. Justin Rea converted the try to put the Ulster team into a 20-8 lead with seven minutes remaining. The Exiles mounted one last attack in the final seconds to score a try in the corner through their replacement hooker, Joe Roe. Joe Carolan was successful with his conversion attempt but it was the Ulster U19 team that emerged as 20-15 winners.
