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. 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.
