Ulster U20 15 Leinster U20 18
John Dickson reports from Ravenhill
It was a disappointing result for the Ulster U20 side as they slumped to a 15-18 defeat at Ravenhill having been the only side in the contest through the first quarter.
Ulster started well with flanker Dominic Gallagher and number 8 David McGuigan powering forward with Luke Marshall as they opened the Leinster defence on numerous occasions. Marshall opened the scoring with an unconverted try in the 5th Paddy Jackson was unlucky to hit the post with his conversion attempt. The Ulster outhalf made amends just minutes later as he converted a penalty goal to give Ulster a 8-0 lead.
The home side continued to dominate the exchanges until the beginning of the second quarter when the influential McGuigan suffered a heavy challenge and drifted out of the game. Gallagher, Threlfor and Marshall lost their main weapon for go forward ball then Leinster started to work their way back into the game with flyhalf Cathal Marsh converting to two penalty goals to leave the score at half time 8-6.
Ulster tried to re-establish their dominance as the second half got underway but a lack of accuracy from first phase possession was costing the home side and Leinster made the most of their supply of quality ball. In the 58th minute Leinster winger Andrew Boyle was put clear down the right wing and he sped over for a well worked try with Marsh adding the extras to take Leinster into and 8-13 lead.
Ulster just never got themselves going and the visitors continued to dominate for the next fifteen minutes. Marsh missed two kickable penalties but with 11 minutes to go the visitors struck again flanker Eoin Joyce smashed his way over in the right hand corner despite heroic efforts to stop him. Marsh failed to convert leaving the Leinster men with a healthy 10 point advantage 8-18.
Ulster made a number of late replacements and their introduction had the desired effect with the final 10 minutes being played in the visitors 22. With just 3 minutes to go hopes of a dramatic late victory were raised when Stephen Irvine managed to touch down from a 5-metre scrum, Jackson adding the extras to bring the home side to within 3 points 15-18.
Despite looking the stronger at the end the Ulstermen were not able to add any further points, Leinster claiming the victory 15-18.
ULSTER U20: Charlie Simpson, Chris Colvin, Stewart McIlwaine, Luke Marshall, Michael McAuley, Paddy Jackson, Conor Spence, Andy Warwick, Jonny Murphy, Kyle McCall, David Whann, Iain Henderson, Calum Threlfor, Dominic Gallagher, David McGuigan, Darryl Maxwell, Conor Carey, Adam Best, Stephen Irvine, Stephen Leckey, Blane McIlroy, Chris Leathem
LEINSTER U20: Michael Sherlock, Sam Coghlan-Murray, Alex Kelly, Collie O’Shea, Andrew Boyle, Michael McGrath, Cathal Marsh, Patrick O’Driscoll, Peter Du Toit, Peter Reilly, Tadhg Furlong, David Doyle, Martin Moore, Michael Kearney, Robert Hynes, Eoin Joyce, Patrick Dix, Mark McGroarty, Jordi Murphy.
Ulster Schools 24 Munster Schools 14
John Dickson reports from Gibson Park
This was an interesting encounter at Gibson Park Belfast with the young Ulster Schools side starting brightly running the ball with great purpose they went close on a number of occasions. The first try was eventually scored in the 10th minute when Campbell College centre Christopher Farrell ran a great line to cross just left of the posts. Stuart Olding added the extras to give the home side a 7-point lead.
125 Pictures – CLICK HERE TO VIEW 95 PICTURES OF THE ACTION BY JOHN DICKSON
The home side had an opportunity to extend their lead in the 31st minute but Olding’s kick was pushed wide. The young outhalf made up for his misstate two minutes later with a wonderful solo effort after he made a break on the Munster 22 and then finished off the try behind the posts adding the extra points with the conversion to give Ulster a 14 points lead. Before the half finished the Munster skipper their number 8 Ryan Murphy smashed his way over beside the posts outhalf Rory Scannall adding the conversion to take the score at halftime to 14-7.
Munster leveled at 14pts apiece with just 3 minutes of the second half played, their skipper Ryan Murphy driving over close to the posts for his second try with Scannall adding the extras.
Ulster struggled to build any phases but once the ball found the outside men the home side did look dangerous. Campbell fullback Rory Scholes made the breakthrough in the 62nd minute when he came into the line near halfway and beat the Munster winger on the outside to sprint in for the score, which Olding converted to take Ulster back into the lead 21-14.
The final Ulster score came with 13 minutes remaining and followed a long spell of pressure on the Munster line. The forwards had a series of pick and drives before the ball was fired across the backline where Methody centre Ryan Martin took a great line to slice through the Munster defence and set down behind the posts. Olding added the extras to complete the scoring 24-14.
ULSTER SCHOOLS: Rory Scholes, Glenn Baillie, Ryan Martin, Christopher Farrell, Neil Burns, Stuart Olding, John Creighton, Sam McNabney, John Andrew, James Harrison, Jaz Andress, Jack Cooke, Tom Burns, Jan-Francois Bester, Ben Alexander
Replacements : Stephen Best, Oliver McCollum, Christopher Taylor, John Donnan , Stuart Hooks, Robbie Magowan, Marc Best
MUNSTER SCHOOLS: Darren Sweetnam, Harry McNulty, Seamus Glynn, Cormac Murphy, Darragh McNamara, Rory Scannall, Brian Haugh, David Canny, Brian Scott, Niall Horan, Evan Ryan, Ross McCarthy, Gavin Ryan, Dean Nolan, Ryan Murphy
Replacements : Daniel Montgomery, Richard Moran, David Wallace, Sean McCarthy, Darren Ryan, Ryan Foley, Paul O’Sullivan.
