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The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl final, featuring Belfast Royal Academy and Sullivan Upper School was held at Pirrie Park on Thursday 8th March. Both teams brought groups of enthusiastic supporters with them and the scene was set for a good game.
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The Sullivan Upper team controlled the game from early on and scored three first half tries. Michael Cartmill, Tom McCartney and Rory Barton touched down for one try each with Chris Hayes adding two conversions to give the Holywood team a 19-0 halftime lead. The Belfast Royal Academy team mounted something of a revival in the early stages of the second half. They took advantage of some confusion as well as indiscipline in the Sullivan ranks to run in tries through Angelo Marisa and Stuart Martin. Jordan Carlisle added one conversion to reduce the arrears to 19-12. The academy team threw everything in to drawing level but as spilled Belfast Royal Academy pass was gathered by the impressive Oliver Matthews who outpaced the chasing defenders to run in for an unconverted try and ensure a 24-12 Sullivan Upper victory. The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl was presented to Owen Glenn, the Sullivan Upper captain, by Mr Laurence Caldwell, the President of the Ulster Branch of the IRFU. Both teams would like to thank Mr David Wells and the Methodist College staff at Pirrie Park, for the provision of facilities and pitches and hosting the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl final.
