The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2016/17 competition will start officially when the teams from Strabane Academy and Carrickfergus Grammar School and Cambridge House Grammar School and Larne Grammar School meet in the first round games on Saturday 3rd December.
Cambridge House Grammar School will host Larne Grammar School in the first round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. The Cambridge House team, coached by John Nicholl, with assistance from former pupil and Ulster player, Jamie Smith, and Matthew Harkness, will be looking forward to the game against Larne Grammar School. They might feel they have a slight psychological edge over the Larne team having recorded a pre-season victory against the same opposition. A recent win against the much vaunted Belfast Metropolitan College U18 Club team has done a great deal to improve the confidence of the Cambridge House squad. There are nine Year 12 players in the starting xv, a team captained by Reuben Russell, who is also the Head Boy of the school. Reuben receives great help from his vice-captain, James Bovill, who has been the leading points scorer this season. Other senior players such as Sam Millar and Jack Wilson have set good standards for the younger colleagues on the Cambridge House team. Of the Year 12 players, Tom Wharry’s skills have been recognised by his involvement with the Ulster U16’s Schools’ programme while Kane McIlroy has been among the top try scorers, along with Jack Wilson, this season. Year 12 prop, Stephen Lindsay, along with Year 12 hooker, Peter Haggan, have developed well this season and their improved ability in the front row is testament to the coaching they are receiving in the school.
The Larne Grammar School team, coached by the experience Graham Cloke, has had to deal with a long list of injuries throughout the current season. This has greatly impacted on their season in terms of success in their games but it is hoped that they will have a full strength squad from which to select for their Danske Bank Ulster School Cup game against Cambridge House Grammar School. Team captain, Barry Mc Fall, better known to his team mates as BJ, is a great leader who is the leading points scorer for the Larne Grammar School team this season. His vice-captain, Adam Maguire, gives great support to the captain and has impressed with his try scoring ability as well. Key players such as Dave Moore, Scott Weatherup, Lee McKee, Steve Topping, Robbie Simpson, Morgan Wharry, Sam Wood and Jonny Farquhar will all be hoping to be available for selection for this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game. Emerging talents such as Scott Kane, Jason Ward, Jack Hill and Aaron Gallagher have adapted readily to the demands of 1stxv rugby with Scott and Jack members of a lively Larne Grammar School back row unit. 2nd Row forward, Scott Holst, not only brings brawn to his position but brains as well. Scott is hoping to go to Cambridge University next autumn. The Larne Grammar School players probably see themselves as underdogs for this game but they will, undoubtedly, go all out to ensure they come away with a victory from this game.
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 game is scheduled to be played at Cambridge House School on Saturday 3rd December at 12-00noon.
