As the schools' rugby season reaches important stages in all its competitions last week was packed with action...
Up to and including to Saturday’s schedule, where top billing went to the 2nd Round games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, there were several Medallion Shield and Trophy games, and four First XV friendly matches played.
There’s a very special atmosphere developing as, for many sides at all age levels, silverware is the teasing prize.
And on a big, big day for the game in the Province there was some exciting morning action in the second oldest competition in the sport, the Ulster Schools’ Cup.
DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS CUP: 2nd Round
BRA 31 –14 GROSVENOR GS
Belfast Royal Academy defeated Grosvenor Grammar School 31-14 when the teams met at Roughfort, the winners earning a 3rd Round date at Down High School.
Grosvenor could not have got off to a better start when Mark Courtney sliced through the home defence to put Daniel Martin in for a try in the corner, Adam Skelton adding the conversion. But BRA then got some quality possession and strong running in midfield eventually yielded three penalties, Michael Wilson landing all three for a 9-7 home lead.
And despite the best defensive efforts of Grosvenor’s Adam Skelton, Thomas Quinn and Jos McConkey the home side’s Jack Burton scored a try, Wilson converting, to increase the BRA. Using the wind to pin the Grosvenor team in its own ‘22’ BRA’s half-backs created pressure from Tom Gilpin helped put Francis Collins in for an unconverted try to leave the home side 21-7 in front at the break.
The BRA pressure continued in the second half and a try from Jay McCrum, converted by Wilson, added to that advantage, then Wilson added another penalty to put the game out-of-reach for Grosvenor.
With time running out, though, the visitors got some reward when Jack Mahon took advantage of quality possession from a lineout to rumble over for a try which Adam Skelton improved to complete the 31-14 scoreline.
PORTADOWN COLLEGE 11 – 20 FRIENDS’
There was no mistaking the smile of delight on former Ulster, Ireland and Lions flanker Stephen Ferris’s face when he learned his former school had won 20-11 at Portadown College.
Friends’ made a mockery of the pre-match billing as underdogs, having lost to the same opposition just before Christmas, to put in an impressive performance in this game and emerge for a third round clash at home to Campbell College.
Intensity and physicality was high from the kick-off, both teams struggling to gain a foothold in the early stages, and Portadown peppered the Friends' defence and forced a number of penalties, from one out-half Michael Orr extracting three points.
Having survived a series of onslaughts Friends’ got points on the board when David Stewart kicked a penalty awarded for an infringement at the breakdown. The game was littered with penalties for a time, many conceded by the Lisburn visitors at the lineout, though it was a mistake on the ground which set up another successful Orr penalty which gave Portadown a 6-3 lead.
Friends' responded and took play deep into the Portadown ‘22’, and only great home defence, then a critical ‘knock-on’, kept the scores unchanged at the interval.
The second half was a totally different affair, with no fewer than four tries scored. Within five minutes of the restart Friends' used the power and pace of Chris Nesbitt, and three phases on the ball went blind and a good off-load set winger Alex O'Brien off down the touchline, leaving despairing defenders in his wake to touch down for the first try of the game and an 8-6 lead.
The second try came swiftly as the restart kick was gathered by James Maxwell, the ball was moved from side-to-side, and David Newell was released to run in for an unconverted to increase the Friends’ lead to 13-6.
Portadown heads didn’t drop, and strong carries from Matthew Neill and James Wright forced Friends’ into errors, the home team rewarded with an unconverted Ryan Daly try to reduce the deficit to 13-11.
However, Friends’ sealed victory when Adam Schoffield, Adam Milligan and Kirk McGrady all combined to send Bart Campbell in for a try which Stewart converted for a 20-11 win.
BANGOR GS 36 – 13 LIMAVADY GS
Bangor Grammar School swept emphatically into the next round with a 36-13 home win over Limavady Grammar School by 36-13.
Bangor built a 10-0 lead early in the first half from two tries by Matthew Agnew, Limavady responded with two penalties from the accurate boot of Jim McCartney midway through the first half to reduce the arrears to 10-6 at half-time.
In the second half Bangor adopted an all-out attacking approach and this was rewarded with two tries from centre Charlie Blair, as well as one each from Martin Withers and Thomas Boyd, with Kerr converting three of these tries.
Limavady was constructive when in possession and Mark Woods kept up his fine Schools’ Cup campaign try-scoring run with another in the final quarter, Jim McCartney successful with his conversion to leave the final score 36-13 in favour of Bangor Grammar which now looks ahead to third round clash at Ballyclare.
REGENT HOUSE 14 – 13 PORTORA RS
In a thrilling match at Newtownards Regent House just prevailed over Portora Royal School by 14-13 in a game as close as the score suggests.
Despite Regent dominating the opening exchanges it was Portora Royal which took a 3-0 lead when Reece Smyton kicked a penalty. Regent House remained in control but could find any way through a resilient Portora Royal School defence in which Josh Kennedy, Dylan Crawford and Connor Keyes shone, but the Enniskillen side held on to that slender lead at the interval.
The second half opened with a head clash between Alasdair Deering, the Regent No.8, and Portora back-row player Kennedy, and Lewis English came into the Regent House back-row as a blood replacement. Portora increased its lead to 8-0 when Dylan Crawford scored an unconverted try following good work from his pack.
In response the Regent pack surged forward and skipper Tom-Arthur Donnan crossed the line to touch down for a try with the help of most of his pack, and a fine conversion from Adam Curry brought Regent to within one point of the challengers at 8-7.
Portora was eager to build on its slender lead and Kennedy scored an unconverted try to put his team ahead by 13-7.
But with just minutes of the match remaining the Regent forwards bombarded the visitors’ defence, and Ryan McCarroll broke Portora hearts when he grounded the ball for a try, which Adam Curry converted, to secure a dramatic 14-13 victory.
Regent now has a third round home game against Sullivan Upper in a fortnight.
FOYLE & L’DERRY COLLEGE 20 – 8 ANTRIM GS
Foyle and Londonderry College progressed to a third round game at home to Dalriada following a 20-8 win over a gallant Antrim Grammar School team.
Both teams looked nervous early on, and the indeed the first 35 minutes lacked any real excitement. Both teams struggled to gain any real control, the only thing separating the sides at the interval was a penalty from Matthew Orr which gave Foyle a 3-0 lead in front of its own supporters.
The Antrim Grammar School team started the second half strongly, skipper Daniel McGrandles taking advantage of a great lineout and resultant maul to score a fine unconverted try for a surprise 5-3 lead.
Foyle College responded and Orr stepped up to successfully slot a penalty to edge his team into a 6-5 lead. That lasted until Antrim’s Sam Gordon kicked a penalty midway through the second half.
Foyle and Londonderry College found another gear in the final quarter of the game, and from a lineout the home team moved the ball to the midfield, centre David Jackson outflanked the Antrim defence but was tackled just short. But the ball was quickly recycled and eventually Conall Gill touched down for a try which Orr converted for a Foyle lead of 13-8.
With five minutes remaining a loose Antrim pass was gratefully intercepted by Gill who ran in for a try, converted by Orr, to complete the 20-8 win.
DALRIADA SCHOOL 26 – 14 OMAGH ACADEMY
Dalriada and Omagh Academy played out an entertaining game which the Dalriada won by 26-14 at Ballymoney.
Omagh kicked the game off in almost perfect conditions, early on both packs tested each other, Dalriada getting on the front foot on a number of occasions. This allowed the Dalriada backs to attack with some pacey, direct attacks, but they struggled to turn the pressure into points until Aaron Christie touched down for an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead.
Omagh responded quickly with a Kyle Beattie try, which he converted, and the visitors had a 7-5 lead at the break.
Dalriada captain Angus Johnston scored a try immediately after the break which Stewart Moore converted to regain the lead, but it was only in the final quarter that the Dalriada sealed the win. Thomas Hunter and Fergal Wiseman each scored a try, both converted by Moore for a 26-7 lead.
Omagh Academy team never gave up and Glen McKinley, a late call-up for the ill Neil Logan, took advantage of some great work from Matthew Clyde and James Longwell to touch down for a try, Beattie adding the extras to leave the final score reading 26-14 to Dalriada.
RS ARMAGH 10 – 12 RAINEY ES
Royal School, Armagh, was at home to a Rainey Endowed School side made to work hard for a 12-10 win at College Hill.
It was an error-strewn game Armagh’s point of view, too many penalties conceded. Rainey played into a strong wind in the first half and only good Armagh defence kept the scoreboard unmoved until the prolific Anton Lupari scored an unconverted try for a 5-0 lead.
Rainey ES team was penalised on the restart and William Hazelton stepped up to convert the penalty for the Royal School, and Rainey was in front by just 5-3 at the break.
Despite good game management from Rainey’s Lorcan Quinn it was the Royal School which scored next when Graham Crawford touched down, for a try Hazelton’s putting the home team into a 10-5 ahead.
Rainey now went on an all-out attack, and though it took some time to break down the home rearguard Neal Hastings did crash over for the decisive try which Quinn coolly converted to see the Magherafelt side into a 12-10 lead.
Armagh threw everything at Rainey in the final minutes, but the visitors’ defence remained secure and ensured a 12-10 win.
BALLYCLARE HS 17 – 12 RS DUNGANNON
Ballyclare High School came out on top 17-12 at home to the Royal School, Dungannon, in a nip-and-tuck affair which had all the ingredients of a tense, exciting Schools’ Cup-tie.
Almost from the kick off Dungannon’s Patrick Foster charged over the Ballyclare HS line to score a try converted by Aaron Perry for a 7-0 lead.
Ballyclare High drew level when Dean Jones broke through the Dungannon defence and finished off a try which Owen Hutchinson converted to level the game at the half-time break.
The visitors started the second half shakily, and Ballyclare took a 12-7 lead when Owen Kirk raced in from forty metres to touch down for an unconverted try. Dungannon replied and took advantage of a Ballyclare ‘sin-binning’, a cross-field kick and clever play involving Peter Doran and Aaron McCammon ending with Perry touching down for an unconverted try to leave the scores tied again at 12-12.
Then sustained pressure from the home team allowed Jonny Crockett to cross for an unconverted try which ensured it was the Ballyclare celebrating a 17-12 victory.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 3 Draw
Regent House v Sullivan Upper
Ballyclare High School v Bangor Grammar School
Foyle and Londonderry College v Dalriada School
Friends’ School, Lisburn v Campbell College, Belfast
Down High v Belfast Royal Academy
Ballymena Academy v Wallace High School
Methodist College, Belfast v Rainey Endowed School
Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Coleraine Grammar School
Ties to be played on Saturday, 6 February
MEDALLION SHIELD AND TROPHY
On Monday of last week Omagh Academy and Dromore High School played their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield, Omagh 28-3 winners.
In the Shield two postponed games took place on Tuesday, 19 January, Larne Grammar School and Limavady Grammar School unusually playing out a scoreless draw so a replay is scheduled for today (Monday, 25 January). Meanwhile, Royal School, Armagh team recorded a 35-0 home victory over Down High School.
The postponed Medallion Shield game featuring Rainey Endowed beat Regent House by 26-0 at the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt on Friday of last week.
Man-of-the-match Karl Warner scored three tries and kicked three conversions for Rainey, Bryan Hall scoring a fourth try. Rainey will now travel to play Ballyclare High School in the next round.
In another postponed Shield game Friends’ School, Lisburn travelled to play Ballymena Academy on Saturday and returned with a well-deserved 26-5 victory. Friends’ will now go to Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the next round.
Portora Royal School and Banbridge Academy played out a 3-3 draw in their postponed Shield game, and the replay should take place by Tuesday of this week.
Ballymena Academy team will travel to Regent House in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl competition.
Also on Tuesday of last week Foyle and Londonderry College defeated Wellington College, Belfast 55-14 in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy quarter-final.
The arrangements for a new date for the Trophy quarter-final featuring Cambridge House Grammar School and Strabane Academy, which was scheduled for Friday last but postponed because of an unplayable pitch, are still to be confirmed, but the match should be played by Wednesday, 27 January.
There were three Schools’ Trophy games played on Saturday, Larne Grammar storming back in the East Antrim ‘derby’ to beat Carrickfergus GS by 17-13 after being thirteen points adrift.
A Fionn McCormick try gave Carrickfergus GS, Fionn adding the conversion, and he kicked two further penalties for a 13-0 lead at the break.
Larne responded with Al Black, Jonny Glasgow and Micah Stevenson all scoring tries, and Barry Faul’s conversion secured the thrilling 17-13 win.
Banbridge Academy travelled to Wellington College and won 5-0, in a match where the first half was fairly dour, both teams making a lot of mistakes in a scoreless first 30 minutes.
Banbridge Academy controlled affairs for most of the second half and eventually a score came when the Banbridge full-back Ben Russell finished off a slick attacking move with an unconverted try, sufficient to secure the win.
Belfast High School defeated Lurgan College 3-0 with a penalty ten minutes from time. Both teams had opportunities to score, but a mixture of good scrambling defence from both teams and some elementary errors ensured a lack of points. Then Simon White, a player who had impressed throughout the game, stepped up to convert the penalty kick which secured the win for Belfast High.
The Draws for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy semi-finals and Bowl quarter-final took place after the Schools’ Cup Draw at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday, and involved Chris Webster, Ulster Rugby Domestic Manager, Ulster Schools’ Rugby Chairman Stephen Black, and Bobby Stewart, President of the Ulster Branch.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Quarter-finals
Limavady Grammar School v Omagh Academy
Portadown College v Grosvenor Grammar School
Portora Royal School v Antrim Grammar School
Royal School, Armagh v Royal School, Dungannon
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Semi-finals
Belfast High School v Larne Grammar School
Banbridge Academy v Cambridge House GS or Strabane Academy
These games are scheduled to be played on Saturday, 6 February
FIRST XV FRIENDLIES
CAMPBELL COLLEGE 25 – 10 ULSTER YOUTH XV
Campbell College, Belfast defeated the Ulster Youth team by 25-10 on Saturday, the Campbell tries coming from Justin and Nikolai Koplesky, Ben Webb, Dan Kearly and Jonny Haldane.
COLERAINE GS 11 – 7 DOWN HS
Coleraine Grammar School won 11-7 at home to Down High School, who opened the scoring when a clever interchange of passes involving Lewis Finlay and Thomas Martin ended with a William Martin try, Charley Power adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Coleraine GS responded with two Callum Smith penalties to reduce the arrears to a point at the interval.
And the home side secured its 11-7 victory when David Greatorex touched down for an unconverted try early in the second half.
IVYBRIDGE COLLEGE 27 – 31 RBAI
Royal Belfast Academical Institution travelled to play Ivybridge College in wet conditions but, in an excellent game recorded a deserved 31-27 victory, fine preparation for the start of its defence of the Schools’ Cup in a fortnight.
Mark Keane, Conor Field, Paddy Finnegan, Charlie Cloke and David Lyttle scored the RBAI tries, James Hume adding three conversions.
METHODY 18 – 19 BALLYMENA ACADEMY
Methodist College went down at home to Ballymena Academy in a cut-and-thrust game by 19-18.
Earlier in the season the teams had served up a competitive and open game with Ballymena again winning by the narrowest of margins, 23-22, and Saturday’s fixture at Pirrie Park was no different, a solitary point the difference.
Methody started the stronger and Paul Kerr was successful with an early penalty, before Bruce Houston and Kerr then exchanged penalties as Methody took a 6-3 lead midway through the first half. From an accurate line-out, Academy moved the ball to Jonathan McKeown who shook off two tacklers to score below the posts, Houston’s conversion giving Ballymena a 10 – 6 lead.
Houston then added another penalty five minutes later to stretch the lead to 13-6, but it was the home team which dominated the remainder of the half.
Following an extended period of pressure Methody moved the ball wide to score in the corner, Owen Frew getting the touchdown, and Paul Kerr successful with the conversion to draw the scores level at 13-13.
But there was still enough time left on the clock for Houston to give Ballymena Academy a 16-13 half-time lead with another successful penalty.
Much of the second period was played deep in the Ballymena half, the away team adjudged guilty of a number of infringements. Methody capitalised on a loose ball and Kane Doherty scored an unconverted try in the corner, so the game was poised for a grandstand finish at 18-16.
Ballymena created several try-scoring opportunities, and Houston narrowly missed both a long-range penalty and with a drop goal effort, but the young out-half showed composure to land the final kick of the game to secure a 19-18 away win.
Up to and including to Saturday’s schedule, where top billing went to the 2nd Round games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, there were several Medallion Shield and Trophy games, and four First XV friendly matches played.
There’s a very special atmosphere developing as, for many sides at all age levels, silverware is the teasing prize.
And on a big, big day for the game in the Province there was some exciting morning action in the second oldest competition in the sport, the Ulster Schools’ Cup.
DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS CUP: 2nd Round
BRA 31 –14 GROSVENOR GS
Belfast Royal Academy defeated Grosvenor Grammar School 31-14 when the teams met at Roughfort, the winners earning a 3rd Round date at Down High School.
Grosvenor could not have got off to a better start when Mark Courtney sliced through the home defence to put Daniel Martin in for a try in the corner, Adam Skelton adding the conversion. But BRA then got some quality possession and strong running in midfield eventually yielded three penalties, Michael Wilson landing all three for a 9-7 home lead.
And despite the best defensive efforts of Grosvenor’s Adam Skelton, Thomas Quinn and Jos McConkey the home side’s Jack Burton scored a try, Wilson converting, to increase the BRA. Using the wind to pin the Grosvenor team in its own ‘22’ BRA’s half-backs created pressure from Tom Gilpin helped put Francis Collins in for an unconverted try to leave the home side 21-7 in front at the break.
The BRA pressure continued in the second half and a try from Jay McCrum, converted by Wilson, added to that advantage, then Wilson added another penalty to put the game out-of-reach for Grosvenor.
With time running out, though, the visitors got some reward when Jack Mahon took advantage of quality possession from a lineout to rumble over for a try which Adam Skelton improved to complete the 31-14 scoreline.
PORTADOWN COLLEGE 11 – 20 FRIENDS’
There was no mistaking the smile of delight on former Ulster, Ireland and Lions flanker Stephen Ferris’s face when he learned his former school had won 20-11 at Portadown College.
Friends’ made a mockery of the pre-match billing as underdogs, having lost to the same opposition just before Christmas, to put in an impressive performance in this game and emerge for a third round clash at home to Campbell College.
Intensity and physicality was high from the kick-off, both teams struggling to gain a foothold in the early stages, and Portadown peppered the Friends' defence and forced a number of penalties, from one out-half Michael Orr extracting three points.
Having survived a series of onslaughts Friends’ got points on the board when David Stewart kicked a penalty awarded for an infringement at the breakdown. The game was littered with penalties for a time, many conceded by the Lisburn visitors at the lineout, though it was a mistake on the ground which set up another successful Orr penalty which gave Portadown a 6-3 lead.
Friends' responded and took play deep into the Portadown ‘22’, and only great home defence, then a critical ‘knock-on’, kept the scores unchanged at the interval.
The second half was a totally different affair, with no fewer than four tries scored. Within five minutes of the restart Friends' used the power and pace of Chris Nesbitt, and three phases on the ball went blind and a good off-load set winger Alex O'Brien off down the touchline, leaving despairing defenders in his wake to touch down for the first try of the game and an 8-6 lead.
The second try came swiftly as the restart kick was gathered by James Maxwell, the ball was moved from side-to-side, and David Newell was released to run in for an unconverted to increase the Friends’ lead to 13-6.
Portadown heads didn’t drop, and strong carries from Matthew Neill and James Wright forced Friends’ into errors, the home team rewarded with an unconverted Ryan Daly try to reduce the deficit to 13-11.
However, Friends’ sealed victory when Adam Schoffield, Adam Milligan and Kirk McGrady all combined to send Bart Campbell in for a try which Stewart converted for a 20-11 win.
BANGOR GS 36 – 13 LIMAVADY GS
Bangor Grammar School swept emphatically into the next round with a 36-13 home win over Limavady Grammar School by 36-13.
Bangor built a 10-0 lead early in the first half from two tries by Matthew Agnew, Limavady responded with two penalties from the accurate boot of Jim McCartney midway through the first half to reduce the arrears to 10-6 at half-time.
In the second half Bangor adopted an all-out attacking approach and this was rewarded with two tries from centre Charlie Blair, as well as one each from Martin Withers and Thomas Boyd, with Kerr converting three of these tries.
Limavady was constructive when in possession and Mark Woods kept up his fine Schools’ Cup campaign try-scoring run with another in the final quarter, Jim McCartney successful with his conversion to leave the final score 36-13 in favour of Bangor Grammar which now looks ahead to third round clash at Ballyclare.
REGENT HOUSE 14 – 13 PORTORA RS
In a thrilling match at Newtownards Regent House just prevailed over Portora Royal School by 14-13 in a game as close as the score suggests.
Despite Regent dominating the opening exchanges it was Portora Royal which took a 3-0 lead when Reece Smyton kicked a penalty. Regent House remained in control but could find any way through a resilient Portora Royal School defence in which Josh Kennedy, Dylan Crawford and Connor Keyes shone, but the Enniskillen side held on to that slender lead at the interval.
The second half opened with a head clash between Alasdair Deering, the Regent No.8, and Portora back-row player Kennedy, and Lewis English came into the Regent House back-row as a blood replacement. Portora increased its lead to 8-0 when Dylan Crawford scored an unconverted try following good work from his pack.
In response the Regent pack surged forward and skipper Tom-Arthur Donnan crossed the line to touch down for a try with the help of most of his pack, and a fine conversion from Adam Curry brought Regent to within one point of the challengers at 8-7.
Portora was eager to build on its slender lead and Kennedy scored an unconverted try to put his team ahead by 13-7.
But with just minutes of the match remaining the Regent forwards bombarded the visitors’ defence, and Ryan McCarroll broke Portora hearts when he grounded the ball for a try, which Adam Curry converted, to secure a dramatic 14-13 victory.
Regent now has a third round home game against Sullivan Upper in a fortnight.
FOYLE & L’DERRY COLLEGE 20 – 8 ANTRIM GS
Foyle and Londonderry College progressed to a third round game at home to Dalriada following a 20-8 win over a gallant Antrim Grammar School team.
Both teams looked nervous early on, and the indeed the first 35 minutes lacked any real excitement. Both teams struggled to gain any real control, the only thing separating the sides at the interval was a penalty from Matthew Orr which gave Foyle a 3-0 lead in front of its own supporters.
The Antrim Grammar School team started the second half strongly, skipper Daniel McGrandles taking advantage of a great lineout and resultant maul to score a fine unconverted try for a surprise 5-3 lead.
Foyle College responded and Orr stepped up to successfully slot a penalty to edge his team into a 6-5 lead. That lasted until Antrim’s Sam Gordon kicked a penalty midway through the second half.
Foyle and Londonderry College found another gear in the final quarter of the game, and from a lineout the home team moved the ball to the midfield, centre David Jackson outflanked the Antrim defence but was tackled just short. But the ball was quickly recycled and eventually Conall Gill touched down for a try which Orr converted for a Foyle lead of 13-8.
With five minutes remaining a loose Antrim pass was gratefully intercepted by Gill who ran in for a try, converted by Orr, to complete the 20-8 win.
DALRIADA SCHOOL 26 – 14 OMAGH ACADEMY
Dalriada and Omagh Academy played out an entertaining game which the Dalriada won by 26-14 at Ballymoney.
Omagh kicked the game off in almost perfect conditions, early on both packs tested each other, Dalriada getting on the front foot on a number of occasions. This allowed the Dalriada backs to attack with some pacey, direct attacks, but they struggled to turn the pressure into points until Aaron Christie touched down for an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead.
Omagh responded quickly with a Kyle Beattie try, which he converted, and the visitors had a 7-5 lead at the break.
Dalriada captain Angus Johnston scored a try immediately after the break which Stewart Moore converted to regain the lead, but it was only in the final quarter that the Dalriada sealed the win. Thomas Hunter and Fergal Wiseman each scored a try, both converted by Moore for a 26-7 lead.
Omagh Academy team never gave up and Glen McKinley, a late call-up for the ill Neil Logan, took advantage of some great work from Matthew Clyde and James Longwell to touch down for a try, Beattie adding the extras to leave the final score reading 26-14 to Dalriada.
RS ARMAGH 10 – 12 RAINEY ES
Royal School, Armagh, was at home to a Rainey Endowed School side made to work hard for a 12-10 win at College Hill.
It was an error-strewn game Armagh’s point of view, too many penalties conceded. Rainey played into a strong wind in the first half and only good Armagh defence kept the scoreboard unmoved until the prolific Anton Lupari scored an unconverted try for a 5-0 lead.
Rainey ES team was penalised on the restart and William Hazelton stepped up to convert the penalty for the Royal School, and Rainey was in front by just 5-3 at the break.
Despite good game management from Rainey’s Lorcan Quinn it was the Royal School which scored next when Graham Crawford touched down, for a try Hazelton’s putting the home team into a 10-5 ahead.
Rainey now went on an all-out attack, and though it took some time to break down the home rearguard Neal Hastings did crash over for the decisive try which Quinn coolly converted to see the Magherafelt side into a 12-10 lead.
Armagh threw everything at Rainey in the final minutes, but the visitors’ defence remained secure and ensured a 12-10 win.
BALLYCLARE HS 17 – 12 RS DUNGANNON
Ballyclare High School came out on top 17-12 at home to the Royal School, Dungannon, in a nip-and-tuck affair which had all the ingredients of a tense, exciting Schools’ Cup-tie.
Almost from the kick off Dungannon’s Patrick Foster charged over the Ballyclare HS line to score a try converted by Aaron Perry for a 7-0 lead.
Ballyclare High drew level when Dean Jones broke through the Dungannon defence and finished off a try which Owen Hutchinson converted to level the game at the half-time break.
The visitors started the second half shakily, and Ballyclare took a 12-7 lead when Owen Kirk raced in from forty metres to touch down for an unconverted try. Dungannon replied and took advantage of a Ballyclare ‘sin-binning’, a cross-field kick and clever play involving Peter Doran and Aaron McCammon ending with Perry touching down for an unconverted try to leave the scores tied again at 12-12.
Then sustained pressure from the home team allowed Jonny Crockett to cross for an unconverted try which ensured it was the Ballyclare celebrating a 17-12 victory.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 3 Draw
Regent House v Sullivan Upper
Ballyclare High School v Bangor Grammar School
Foyle and Londonderry College v Dalriada School
Friends’ School, Lisburn v Campbell College, Belfast
Down High v Belfast Royal Academy
Ballymena Academy v Wallace High School
Methodist College, Belfast v Rainey Endowed School
Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Coleraine Grammar School
Ties to be played on Saturday, 6 February
MEDALLION SHIELD AND TROPHY
On Monday of last week Omagh Academy and Dromore High School played their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield, Omagh 28-3 winners.
In the Shield two postponed games took place on Tuesday, 19 January, Larne Grammar School and Limavady Grammar School unusually playing out a scoreless draw so a replay is scheduled for today (Monday, 25 January). Meanwhile, Royal School, Armagh team recorded a 35-0 home victory over Down High School.
The postponed Medallion Shield game featuring Rainey Endowed beat Regent House by 26-0 at the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt on Friday of last week.
Man-of-the-match Karl Warner scored three tries and kicked three conversions for Rainey, Bryan Hall scoring a fourth try. Rainey will now travel to play Ballyclare High School in the next round.
In another postponed Shield game Friends’ School, Lisburn travelled to play Ballymena Academy on Saturday and returned with a well-deserved 26-5 victory. Friends’ will now go to Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the next round.
Portora Royal School and Banbridge Academy played out a 3-3 draw in their postponed Shield game, and the replay should take place by Tuesday of this week.
Ballymena Academy team will travel to Regent House in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl competition.
Also on Tuesday of last week Foyle and Londonderry College defeated Wellington College, Belfast 55-14 in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy quarter-final.
The arrangements for a new date for the Trophy quarter-final featuring Cambridge House Grammar School and Strabane Academy, which was scheduled for Friday last but postponed because of an unplayable pitch, are still to be confirmed, but the match should be played by Wednesday, 27 January.
There were three Schools’ Trophy games played on Saturday, Larne Grammar storming back in the East Antrim ‘derby’ to beat Carrickfergus GS by 17-13 after being thirteen points adrift.
A Fionn McCormick try gave Carrickfergus GS, Fionn adding the conversion, and he kicked two further penalties for a 13-0 lead at the break.
Larne responded with Al Black, Jonny Glasgow and Micah Stevenson all scoring tries, and Barry Faul’s conversion secured the thrilling 17-13 win.
Banbridge Academy travelled to Wellington College and won 5-0, in a match where the first half was fairly dour, both teams making a lot of mistakes in a scoreless first 30 minutes.
Banbridge Academy controlled affairs for most of the second half and eventually a score came when the Banbridge full-back Ben Russell finished off a slick attacking move with an unconverted try, sufficient to secure the win.
Belfast High School defeated Lurgan College 3-0 with a penalty ten minutes from time. Both teams had opportunities to score, but a mixture of good scrambling defence from both teams and some elementary errors ensured a lack of points. Then Simon White, a player who had impressed throughout the game, stepped up to convert the penalty kick which secured the win for Belfast High.
The Draws for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy semi-finals and Bowl quarter-final took place after the Schools’ Cup Draw at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday, and involved Chris Webster, Ulster Rugby Domestic Manager, Ulster Schools’ Rugby Chairman Stephen Black, and Bobby Stewart, President of the Ulster Branch.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Quarter-finals
Limavady Grammar School v Omagh Academy
Portadown College v Grosvenor Grammar School
Portora Royal School v Antrim Grammar School
Royal School, Armagh v Royal School, Dungannon
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Semi-finals
Belfast High School v Larne Grammar School
Banbridge Academy v Cambridge House GS or Strabane Academy
These games are scheduled to be played on Saturday, 6 February
FIRST XV FRIENDLIES
CAMPBELL COLLEGE 25 – 10 ULSTER YOUTH XV
Campbell College, Belfast defeated the Ulster Youth team by 25-10 on Saturday, the Campbell tries coming from Justin and Nikolai Koplesky, Ben Webb, Dan Kearly and Jonny Haldane.
COLERAINE GS 11 – 7 DOWN HS
Coleraine Grammar School won 11-7 at home to Down High School, who opened the scoring when a clever interchange of passes involving Lewis Finlay and Thomas Martin ended with a William Martin try, Charley Power adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Coleraine GS responded with two Callum Smith penalties to reduce the arrears to a point at the interval.
And the home side secured its 11-7 victory when David Greatorex touched down for an unconverted try early in the second half.
IVYBRIDGE COLLEGE 27 – 31 RBAI
Royal Belfast Academical Institution travelled to play Ivybridge College in wet conditions but, in an excellent game recorded a deserved 31-27 victory, fine preparation for the start of its defence of the Schools’ Cup in a fortnight.
Mark Keane, Conor Field, Paddy Finnegan, Charlie Cloke and David Lyttle scored the RBAI tries, James Hume adding three conversions.
METHODY 18 – 19 BALLYMENA ACADEMY
Methodist College went down at home to Ballymena Academy in a cut-and-thrust game by 19-18.
Earlier in the season the teams had served up a competitive and open game with Ballymena again winning by the narrowest of margins, 23-22, and Saturday’s fixture at Pirrie Park was no different, a solitary point the difference.
Methody started the stronger and Paul Kerr was successful with an early penalty, before Bruce Houston and Kerr then exchanged penalties as Methody took a 6-3 lead midway through the first half. From an accurate line-out, Academy moved the ball to Jonathan McKeown who shook off two tacklers to score below the posts, Houston’s conversion giving Ballymena a 10 – 6 lead.
Houston then added another penalty five minutes later to stretch the lead to 13-6, but it was the home team which dominated the remainder of the half.
Following an extended period of pressure Methody moved the ball wide to score in the corner, Owen Frew getting the touchdown, and Paul Kerr successful with the conversion to draw the scores level at 13-13.
But there was still enough time left on the clock for Houston to give Ballymena Academy a 16-13 half-time lead with another successful penalty.
Much of the second period was played deep in the Ballymena half, the away team adjudged guilty of a number of infringements. Methody capitalised on a loose ball and Kane Doherty scored an unconverted try in the corner, so the game was poised for a grandstand finish at 18-16.
Ballymena created several try-scoring opportunities, and Houston narrowly missed both a long-range penalty and with a drop goal effort, but the young out-half showed composure to land the final kick of the game to secure a 19-18 away win.