The Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup opening round was the highlight of what's been a busy start to the New Year. The seven first round games, on Friday and Saturday of last week, all beat the weather, and threw up some memorable contests, and the odd upset - the very essence of Cup rugby.
There was also important action at Medallion Shield, 3rd XV and friendly level which firmly put the focus on what an important stage of the season has been reached by players and coaches across the Province.
CAMBRIDGE HOUSE 13 – 27 LIMAVADY GS
The seven Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup First Round games got off to a cracking start at Eaton Park, Ballymena, on Friday night when Limavady Grammar School progressed after a superb contest with a 27-13 win over Cambridge House.
On a perfect evening for a game of rugby a huge crowd gathered under the floodlights, and Cambridge House team started well and took an early 3-0 lead when James Bovill converted a superb penalty from the touchline.
The visitors recovered quickly and took a 7-3 lead when Mark Woods took advantage of good handling skills from his backs to finish off a try in the corner, Jim McCartney adding the conversion. Minutes later a McCartney penalty extended the Limavady lead, and now the Grammar School was in the ascendancy, controlling territory and possession.
The home team conceded a penalty close to its line and Limavady team made its intentions clear with a kick to the corner, and from the resultant lineout and driven maul Gurpatap Sandhu touched down, to give his side a 15-3 interval lead.
Cambridge House team started the second half strongly and took play deep into Limavady territory and an infringement was punished when Bovill was successful with his second penalty of the night to reduce the deficit to 15-6.
Limavady GS then set up camp in the Cambridge House ‘22’, and after a series of well-constructed phases David Mullen scored an unconverted try to increase the Limavady lead to 20-6.
From the restart the game swung to the other end of the pitch, and Sam Millar, the impressive Cambridge House centre, broke through the Limavady defence and ran a great line to finish off with a try under the opposition posts, Bovill added the conversion to reduce the arrears to 20-13.
The last ten minutes were exciting for players and spectators alike, each team attacking at every opportunity in search of the win and a place in the second round draw.
And just as Cambridge House looked as if it was about to score a loose pass was intercepted and Woods ran the length of the pitch to score a try, improved by McCartney, to secure the 27-13 victory.
LARNE GS 3 – 10 RS ARMAGH
On Saturday morning the other six ties survived the weather but Larne Grammar School and Royal School, Armagh, battled the conditions and each other before the visitors ran out 10-3 winners in a gruelling affair.
The first half saw Armagh control both possession and territory for long periods, but the visitors were found of time somewhat naïve, playing into the hands of a resilient Larne Grammar School defence where Barry McFaul, Adam Maguire, captain Alistair Black and Matthew Magarel got through a lot of work.
The Larne Grammar was dogged in possession and this was rewarded when Jonny Hyndman kicked a penalty kick to open the scoring.
As the weather deteriorated neither side could control possession, and this – allied to some exhausting defence – ensured there was no addition to Larne’s 3-0 half-time lead.
In the second half the Royal School adapted better to the conditions, the ball stayed close to the pack and gradually the visitors imposed their authority. A clever move on the short side of a ruck was finished off with a try from industrious prop Jack Chapman, the difficult conversion attempt being unsuccessful.
Now with a 5-3 advantage Armagh took further good control of possession to drive deep into the Larne ‘22’ area, and though again the home defence was dogged Archie McAlpine trundled over following a series of ‘pick-and- go’ drives.
Larne mounted a series of assaults on the Armagh line in the final few minutes, and thought they might have drawn level only for what looked like a Hyndman intercept try to be disallowed.
However, the home side could find no way through in the 70 minutes and it was the Royal School, Armagh team which celebrated a hard-earned 10-3 victory.
LURGAN COLLEGE 3 – 7 PORTADOWN COLLEGE
In the ‘derby’ clash at Lough Road Portadown College returned home with the spoils after a 7-3 win played out in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The weather conditions were not favourable to either team, but Lurgan started off well and dominated territory and possession for long periods. of time. The Lurgan back-row trio of Mark Montgomery, Victor MacKenzie and the impressive Reuben McCreery got through a lot of work, but their side could not find any through the Portadown scramble defence.
Fifteen minutes into the game Lurgan College did take a deserved 3-0 lead when talented full-back Robbie Norton landed a penalty.
Portadown College had the opportunity to draw level immediately after the restart but a penalty attempt was well off-target. That was the only first-half incursion by Portadown which was forced to defend a series of Lurgan attacks led by their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ prop Harry Simpson.
But with both sides giving their all, the scoreline remained 3-0 in Lurgan’s favour at the break.
It was a different Portadown College team in the second half, the pack winning some quality possession and the half-back partnership of Brett Fleck and Michael Orr displaying some better game management skills. They pinned Lurgan back into the ‘22’ and Matthew Neill, James Hewitt and Peter McKeeman started to ask questions of the Lurgan College defence.
Good work at the breakdown from James Wright and Stewart Hodgen eventually led to captain Orr making some ground and his clever grubber kick in behind the Lurgan College defence allowed Orr to take advantage of hesitancy among in the home rearguard and regathered the ball and slid in for a try close to the posts.
Orr converted his own try Michael was successful with his conversion kick to see his team into a 7-3 lead which, despite some scares, Portadown defended with increasing confidence, so it was Portadown College which finished this closely-contested as 7-3 winners.
RS DUNGANNON 45 – 10 CARRICKFERGUS GS
On the pristine WK Armstrong pitch at the Royal School Dungannon’s emphatic second half performance ensured its progress to the third round after a 45-10 defeat of Carrickfergus GS.
The Royal School began well and were well on top in the opening exchanges, and after ten minutes a great break from Aaron Perry was carried on and finished off by Matthew Smyth who ran in for an unconverted try.
The home side continued to control the game but small errors proved costly, and Carrickfergus GS’ commitment was rewarded when they won a turnover, broke out of defence and Fionn McCormack raced in for a try which he converted to give the visitors a 7-5 lead.
Further pressure earned Carrickfergus a penalty, McCormack increasing his team’s lead.
In the closing stages of the first half Joseph Cashel capitalised on Carrickfergus handling errors to cross for a try which Aaron Nimmons converted to put the Royal School 12-10 ahead at the interval.
Dungannon team started the second half in composed fashion and scored two early tries from close range through Adam Cranston and James Gamble, Adam Nimmons adding one conversion to puts his team into a 24-10 lead.
Calvin Nelson then took advantage of a well-organised drive outside the Carrickfergus GS ‘22’ to touch down, Adam Perry adding the extras to increase the lead to 31-10.
The home side had grown in confidence, Peter Doran, David Cooper, Matthew Stockdale, Josh Patton and Nicholas Graham persistently testing a determined Carrickfergus defence with strong carries and elusive running.
Quick release of the ball put Adam Perry into space and he showed some clever footwork to finish off with a try, which he converted, and then Angus Mok then took advantage of a charge-down to score the seventh try of the game.
Adam Perry added the conversion to complete an impressive 45-10 victory for the Royal School, Dungannon against a gallant Carrickfergus Grammar School side.
WELLINGTON COLLEGE 3 – 22 FRIENDS’ SCHOOL
Belfast’s Wellington College found first round visitors Friends’ School of Lisburn too strong, going down by 22-3 winners, justifying pre-match expectations of a fiercely-contested encounter.
Pouring rain meant the match was dominated by the packs battling each other in the scrum, in the air at lineout time and on the ground at the breakdown, no quarter asked nor given.
The only score came from a penalty kick converted successfully by Friends’ School out-half David Stewart for a 3-0 lead.
Friends' ill-discipline did cost ground and possession at times, but clever work at the breakdown, allied to some big tackles from Adam Milligan and Chris Nesbitt, ensured the intense Wellington attacks came to nothing. Even strong lines run by the impressive Wellington College No.8 and captain Jason Lyons came to nothing, and the 3-0 scoreline was unchanged at the break.
The second half restarted in the wet and dirty conditions which made both packs work hard, and then a strong run from Jason Lyons resulted in a yellow card for a Friends’ player which put even more pressure on the Lisburn side. Wellington College forced numerous penalties but due to outstanding defence from the visitors, the home side could find no way over the whitewash.
A penalty from the trusty boot of Jamie Hewitt was some reward for Wellington College’s efforts and the scores were level at 3-3.
Friends' responded with Adam Scholfield taking a quick ‘tap’ penalty and David Stewart sent his flanker Kirk McGrady over for a try converted by Stewart and Friends’ now took a 10-3 lead.
That try appeared to inspire renewed confidence to the visiting ranks and there was renewed pressure on the Wellington back three, and from one superb box kick the ball was dropped, only to end up in the hands of George Pringle. He made good ground before off-loading to Curtis Dundas who outpaced a despairing Wellington College defence to score a crucial try, Stewart again adding the conversion.
In the closing ten minutes both teams used a number of replacements, but Friends’ positive approach paid off when, in the dying minutes, Adam Milligan broke off the back of a maul to run in and touch down to complete a hard-earned 22-3 win.
BANBRIDGE ACADEMY 15 – 16 ANTRIM GS
A defiant Banbridge Academy just lost out to Antrim Grammar School by 15-16 in a closely-fought first round game won with the last kick off the game.
Banbridge started the stronger, and after seven minutes a driving maul saw prop John Wilson sneak over in the corner for an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead.
Antrim responded positively, and on 22 minute Josh Battishill reduced the arrears to 5-3 with a well-struck penalty. Then, as play swung from end-to-end, the hardworking Academy flanker Jonny Campbell barged over for another unconverted try and his side was 10-3 in front at the break.
The second half started well for Academy, scrum-half Jordan Mount running in a great score early on, and once more the conversion went awry, but the home team now held a 15-3 advantage.
Antrim at last came to life, responding almost immediately, winger Adam Johnston scoring a fine try, which Josh Battishill converted, reducing the deficit to 15-10.
On 55 minutes Antrim Grammar then closed the gap to two points with a penalty from Sam Gordon to set up a grandstand finish.
And in the final play of the game, just as Banbridge seemed to have turned the ball over and won the match, the referee awarded a penalty for offside. Gordon stepped up and coolly slotted the kick, the final whistle blew and the Antrim players celebrated their dramatic 16-15 win in an intriguing Schools’ Cup-tie.
BELFAST HS 7 – 21 FOYLE & LONDONDERRY COLLEGE
Foyle and Londonderry College College made the trip to the Shore Road in Newtownabbbey and was delighted to return home 21-7 winners.
Belfast High controlled possession and territory early on, but could find no way through a determined and unyielding Foyle defence. And somewhat against the run of play, but as a result of great Foyle line speed in defence, the first try of the game came when a High School kick was charged down and out-half Conal Gill, kicked through.
At pace he regathered the ball and outstripped the home defence to score a try close to the posts, Matthew Orr converting to give Foyle College a 7-0 lead.
The home side responded in a positive manner, taking the game deep into the Foyle College ‘22’ and was rewarded for its enterprise when Tyler Arnold touched down for a try, Simon White adding the conversion to draw the scores level at 7-7.
The weather conditions started to really impact on the game, both teams experiencing difficulties in controlling the ball. Foyle’s defence was key to the visitors being rewarded with two penalties at vital times, Orr converting both to put his team into a 13-7 lead at half-time.
The High School team started the second half well but could not manage to get any change out of the Foyle defence, and as conditions worsened the visitors’ half-backs used their kicking skills to pin the Belfast team back. The home side conceded a penalty and Orr duly converted to give his team a 16-7 lead.
Foyle continued to dominate in the final quarter of the game and was rewarded with a try when scrum-half Killene Thornton put a great kick into the corner. Winger Matthew Alford retrieved the ball and though tackled short of the line but he did superbly well to ‘pop’ it up to the supporting Killene Thornton who finished the move with an unconverted try in the corner.
So Foyle and Londonderry College had done enough to win 21-7, and ‘man-of-the-match’ was Year 12 student and No.8 Joel Smyth, who made great carries during the game and tackled superbly.
INTRIGUING 2nd ROUND DRAW
The draw for the 2nd Round of this season's Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup was made at Lurgan College following the conclusion of the first round matches, the seven winners joined in the ‘hat’ by the nine sides which received byes to the nest stage: Ballyclare High School, Bangor Grammar School, Belfast Royal Academy, Dalriada School, Grosvenor Grammar School, Omagh Academy, Portora Royal School, Rainey Endowed School and Regent House School.
The draw was conducted by Wendy Murphy, representing the sponsors, and Mr Trevor Robinson, Principal of Lurgan College.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup Second Round
Belfast Royal Academy v Grosvenor Grammar School
Portadown College v Friends' School, Lisburn
Bangor Grammar School v Limavady Grammar School
Regent House School v Portora Royal School
Foyle and Londonderry College v Antrim Grammar School
Dalriada School v Omagh Academy
Royal School, Armagh v Rainey Endowed School
Ballyclare High School v Royal School, Dungannon
All ties to be played on Saturday, 23 January.
The winners of these fixtures will be joined in the 3rd Round by the remaining eight seeded schools: Ballymena Academy, Campbell College, Coleraine Grammar School, Down High School, Methodist College, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Sullivan Upper and Wallace High School.
Meanwhile, the seven teams defeated in the first round, along with Strabane Academy who lost in the preliminary round, now enter the Danske Bank Schools' Trophy, the draw for which was made by Eddie Taylor representing Danske Bank, and Mr Stephen Black, Chairman of the Ulster Schools Committee.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Trophy Quarter Finals
Cambridge House v Strabane Academy
Carrickfergus GS v Larne GS
Wellington College v Banbridge Academy
Belfast High School v Lurgan College
Matches are to be played on Saturday, 23 January.
MIDWEEK SHIELD AND CUP ACTION
Three Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield games were played on Tuesday of last week, Banbridge Academy defeating Antrim Grammar School by 27-0.
Regent House beat preliminary round winners Wellington College 55-7, while Lurgan College lost to Larne Grammar School by 26-17. Belfast HS went down to Omagh Academy in the same competition on Wednesday by 34-7.
On Thursday Cambridge House played Friends’ School, Lisburn in the Medallion Shield, the match finishing as an 8-8 draw. The replay will take place on Tuesday of this week at 2-45pm, the winners travelling to Ballymena Academy on Saturday.
Also in In the Medallion Shield Dromore High School defeated Grosvenor Grammar School 24-8 and will travel to Omagh Academy on Saturday.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rd XV Cup Sullivan Upper defeated Dalriada School 29-0 and will now play Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the quarter-final.
Also in the 3rd XV Cup Wallace High School lost 26-12 to Methodist College, Belfast 4th XV, and Methody now travels to Down High School 3rd XV on Wednesday.
BANGOR GS 12 – 9 DOWN HS
In a re-arranged 1st XV friendly game played on Wednesday last Bangor Grammar School defeated Down High School 12-9.
Down High was still missing key players from the back division but built up a 9-0 lead early on when Charlie Power was successful with three penalty kicks. Close to the interval the Bangor Grammar scored an unconverted try through Matthew Agnew to reduce the arrears to 9-5 at the break.
Bangor GS missed an early penalty at the start of the second half but it was not long before they scored the decisive try, tight-head prop Martin Withers taking advantage of good work from his forwards to touch down for a try converted by Zack Kerr for a 12-9 lead.
Down High might have snatched a draw in the closing stages of the game but a penalty fell short, so Bangor Grammar School team continued its Schools’ Cup preparations with a 12-9 win.
PRESENTATION COLLEGE, CORK 3 – 17 RBAI
Royal Belfast Academical Institution made the long journey to Cork on Wednesday of last week and returned with an impressive 17-3 win over Presentation Brother’s College.
After warming up in perfect conditions abroad the Irish winter returned with the game kicking off in wet and windy conditions, Presentation Brothers starting the stronger, and though dominating the first fifteen minutes the ‘Inst ‘defence held firm.
‘Inst’ then got a foothold in the match and it was its ’man-of-the-match’, an of winger Mark Keane got the first score when he finished off a move in the left corner after a superb break down the middle of the pitch from mobile prop John Dickson.
Now 5-0 ahead ‘Inst’ and Presentation pressed in turn the score remained unchanged at half-time.
In the second half RBAI put itself into strong positions with some good tactical kicking and game management skills from half-backs Michael Lowry and Niall Armstrong. That brought persistent pressure in the Presentation ‘22’ which resulted in a penalty try being awarded which James Hume converted to increase the Belfast ‘Inst’ lead to 12-0.
The Cork side then had a period of sustained pressure and was rewarded with a penalty to reduce the deficit to 12-3.
RBAI hit straight back with some enterprising counter-attacking rugby, one phase finished off by captain Conor Field who scorched in for an unconverted try to secure the deserved 17-3 victory.
In a fixture played annually for many years was the first Royal Belfast Academical Institution success since 1997.
GROSVENOR AND DOWN BEATEN BY WEATHER
On Saturday Grosvenor Grammar School hosted Down High School in a game where both teams used the game as an opportunity to play their extended squads.
The first quarter of the game was evenly contested but the weather severely affected the match, though Down High took a 5-0 lead when the impressive Zac Ward scored an unconverted try.
Grosvenor GS responded positively and went through multiple phases but unable to get on the scoreboard. The second quarter saw the weather conditions deteriorate to such an extent the decision was taken to abandon the game.
Not far away Methodist College entertained a Terenure College side which returned to Dublin as 15-3 winners.
The Methody points came from Paul Kerr with a well-struck penalty kick.
LEG INJURY HALTS OMAGH-REGENT CLASH
Omagh Academy built up an early 10-0 lead against Regent House at Campsie on Saturday before the game was called off fifteen minutes into the second half due to a leg injury to a visiting player.
The game turned out to be a battle of the packs, with Academy threatening the Regent line on a number of occasions. As a result of one of these attacks the Omagh was awarded a penalty, Kyle Beattie successfully splitting the uprights for a 3-0 lead.
Continued Omagh pressure saw team skipper Matthew Clyde score a nicely-worked try following secure possession from a scrum, Beattie converting to put the Academy into a strong 10-0 lead at the break.
The start of the second half saw Omagh maintain its pressure, but an unfortunate leg injury to a Regent House player resulted in the game being wisely cut short.
SULLIVAN UPPER 7 – 10 COLERAINE GS
Sullivan Upper and Coleraine Grammar met on Saturday in a closely-fought game won by the visitors 10-7.
Coleraine built up a 10-0 by half-time with a try from David Greatorex which Matthew Norris converted, and then Norris added a successful penalty kick.
Sullivan Upper team came back strongly in the second half and reduced the deficit to 10-7 when Stephen Moore scored a fine try which Rory Kilpatrick converted.
Sullivan attacked at every opportunity looking but the Coleraine GS defence held firm to secure a 10-7 victory.
RAINEY ES 15 – 15 BALLYCLARE HS
On Saturday Rainey Endowed and Ballyclare High School played out a fiercely-contested 15-15 draw as both sides prepared further for their entry to the second round of the Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Lorcan Quinn gave Rainey a 3-0 lead when he was successful with a penalty kick five minutes into the game, but Ballyclare responded with a try from Andrew Seymour, which Ryan McIlwaine converted, to take a 7-3 lead.
McIlwaine then kicked a penalty to stretch the Ballyclare High School lead to 10-3 lead by the interval.
Midway through the second half Anton Lupari scored a try for Rainey, Quinn adding the conversion to draw the sides level at 10-10.
Jack Lewis then scored an unconverted try in the corner for Ballyclare to regain the lead at 15-10.
However, Lupari saved the day for Rainey with his second try of the game, and though the conversion was missed both sides were pleased to share the spoils in a 15-15 draw.
There was also important action at Medallion Shield, 3rd XV and friendly level which firmly put the focus on what an important stage of the season has been reached by players and coaches across the Province.
CAMBRIDGE HOUSE 13 – 27 LIMAVADY GS
The seven Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup First Round games got off to a cracking start at Eaton Park, Ballymena, on Friday night when Limavady Grammar School progressed after a superb contest with a 27-13 win over Cambridge House.
On a perfect evening for a game of rugby a huge crowd gathered under the floodlights, and Cambridge House team started well and took an early 3-0 lead when James Bovill converted a superb penalty from the touchline.
The visitors recovered quickly and took a 7-3 lead when Mark Woods took advantage of good handling skills from his backs to finish off a try in the corner, Jim McCartney adding the conversion. Minutes later a McCartney penalty extended the Limavady lead, and now the Grammar School was in the ascendancy, controlling territory and possession.
The home team conceded a penalty close to its line and Limavady team made its intentions clear with a kick to the corner, and from the resultant lineout and driven maul Gurpatap Sandhu touched down, to give his side a 15-3 interval lead.
Cambridge House team started the second half strongly and took play deep into Limavady territory and an infringement was punished when Bovill was successful with his second penalty of the night to reduce the deficit to 15-6.
Limavady GS then set up camp in the Cambridge House ‘22’, and after a series of well-constructed phases David Mullen scored an unconverted try to increase the Limavady lead to 20-6.
From the restart the game swung to the other end of the pitch, and Sam Millar, the impressive Cambridge House centre, broke through the Limavady defence and ran a great line to finish off with a try under the opposition posts, Bovill added the conversion to reduce the arrears to 20-13.
The last ten minutes were exciting for players and spectators alike, each team attacking at every opportunity in search of the win and a place in the second round draw.
And just as Cambridge House looked as if it was about to score a loose pass was intercepted and Woods ran the length of the pitch to score a try, improved by McCartney, to secure the 27-13 victory.
LARNE GS 3 – 10 RS ARMAGH
On Saturday morning the other six ties survived the weather but Larne Grammar School and Royal School, Armagh, battled the conditions and each other before the visitors ran out 10-3 winners in a gruelling affair.
The first half saw Armagh control both possession and territory for long periods, but the visitors were found of time somewhat naïve, playing into the hands of a resilient Larne Grammar School defence where Barry McFaul, Adam Maguire, captain Alistair Black and Matthew Magarel got through a lot of work.
The Larne Grammar was dogged in possession and this was rewarded when Jonny Hyndman kicked a penalty kick to open the scoring.
As the weather deteriorated neither side could control possession, and this – allied to some exhausting defence – ensured there was no addition to Larne’s 3-0 half-time lead.
In the second half the Royal School adapted better to the conditions, the ball stayed close to the pack and gradually the visitors imposed their authority. A clever move on the short side of a ruck was finished off with a try from industrious prop Jack Chapman, the difficult conversion attempt being unsuccessful.
Now with a 5-3 advantage Armagh took further good control of possession to drive deep into the Larne ‘22’ area, and though again the home defence was dogged Archie McAlpine trundled over following a series of ‘pick-and- go’ drives.
Larne mounted a series of assaults on the Armagh line in the final few minutes, and thought they might have drawn level only for what looked like a Hyndman intercept try to be disallowed.
However, the home side could find no way through in the 70 minutes and it was the Royal School, Armagh team which celebrated a hard-earned 10-3 victory.
LURGAN COLLEGE 3 – 7 PORTADOWN COLLEGE
In the ‘derby’ clash at Lough Road Portadown College returned home with the spoils after a 7-3 win played out in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The weather conditions were not favourable to either team, but Lurgan started off well and dominated territory and possession for long periods. of time. The Lurgan back-row trio of Mark Montgomery, Victor MacKenzie and the impressive Reuben McCreery got through a lot of work, but their side could not find any through the Portadown scramble defence.
Fifteen minutes into the game Lurgan College did take a deserved 3-0 lead when talented full-back Robbie Norton landed a penalty.
Portadown College had the opportunity to draw level immediately after the restart but a penalty attempt was well off-target. That was the only first-half incursion by Portadown which was forced to defend a series of Lurgan attacks led by their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ prop Harry Simpson.
But with both sides giving their all, the scoreline remained 3-0 in Lurgan’s favour at the break.
It was a different Portadown College team in the second half, the pack winning some quality possession and the half-back partnership of Brett Fleck and Michael Orr displaying some better game management skills. They pinned Lurgan back into the ‘22’ and Matthew Neill, James Hewitt and Peter McKeeman started to ask questions of the Lurgan College defence.
Good work at the breakdown from James Wright and Stewart Hodgen eventually led to captain Orr making some ground and his clever grubber kick in behind the Lurgan College defence allowed Orr to take advantage of hesitancy among in the home rearguard and regathered the ball and slid in for a try close to the posts.
Orr converted his own try Michael was successful with his conversion kick to see his team into a 7-3 lead which, despite some scares, Portadown defended with increasing confidence, so it was Portadown College which finished this closely-contested as 7-3 winners.
RS DUNGANNON 45 – 10 CARRICKFERGUS GS
On the pristine WK Armstrong pitch at the Royal School Dungannon’s emphatic second half performance ensured its progress to the third round after a 45-10 defeat of Carrickfergus GS.
The Royal School began well and were well on top in the opening exchanges, and after ten minutes a great break from Aaron Perry was carried on and finished off by Matthew Smyth who ran in for an unconverted try.
The home side continued to control the game but small errors proved costly, and Carrickfergus GS’ commitment was rewarded when they won a turnover, broke out of defence and Fionn McCormack raced in for a try which he converted to give the visitors a 7-5 lead.
Further pressure earned Carrickfergus a penalty, McCormack increasing his team’s lead.
In the closing stages of the first half Joseph Cashel capitalised on Carrickfergus handling errors to cross for a try which Aaron Nimmons converted to put the Royal School 12-10 ahead at the interval.
Dungannon team started the second half in composed fashion and scored two early tries from close range through Adam Cranston and James Gamble, Adam Nimmons adding one conversion to puts his team into a 24-10 lead.
Calvin Nelson then took advantage of a well-organised drive outside the Carrickfergus GS ‘22’ to touch down, Adam Perry adding the extras to increase the lead to 31-10.
The home side had grown in confidence, Peter Doran, David Cooper, Matthew Stockdale, Josh Patton and Nicholas Graham persistently testing a determined Carrickfergus defence with strong carries and elusive running.
Quick release of the ball put Adam Perry into space and he showed some clever footwork to finish off with a try, which he converted, and then Angus Mok then took advantage of a charge-down to score the seventh try of the game.
Adam Perry added the conversion to complete an impressive 45-10 victory for the Royal School, Dungannon against a gallant Carrickfergus Grammar School side.
WELLINGTON COLLEGE 3 – 22 FRIENDS’ SCHOOL
Belfast’s Wellington College found first round visitors Friends’ School of Lisburn too strong, going down by 22-3 winners, justifying pre-match expectations of a fiercely-contested encounter.
Pouring rain meant the match was dominated by the packs battling each other in the scrum, in the air at lineout time and on the ground at the breakdown, no quarter asked nor given.
The only score came from a penalty kick converted successfully by Friends’ School out-half David Stewart for a 3-0 lead.
Friends' ill-discipline did cost ground and possession at times, but clever work at the breakdown, allied to some big tackles from Adam Milligan and Chris Nesbitt, ensured the intense Wellington attacks came to nothing. Even strong lines run by the impressive Wellington College No.8 and captain Jason Lyons came to nothing, and the 3-0 scoreline was unchanged at the break.
The second half restarted in the wet and dirty conditions which made both packs work hard, and then a strong run from Jason Lyons resulted in a yellow card for a Friends’ player which put even more pressure on the Lisburn side. Wellington College forced numerous penalties but due to outstanding defence from the visitors, the home side could find no way over the whitewash.
A penalty from the trusty boot of Jamie Hewitt was some reward for Wellington College’s efforts and the scores were level at 3-3.
Friends' responded with Adam Scholfield taking a quick ‘tap’ penalty and David Stewart sent his flanker Kirk McGrady over for a try converted by Stewart and Friends’ now took a 10-3 lead.
That try appeared to inspire renewed confidence to the visiting ranks and there was renewed pressure on the Wellington back three, and from one superb box kick the ball was dropped, only to end up in the hands of George Pringle. He made good ground before off-loading to Curtis Dundas who outpaced a despairing Wellington College defence to score a crucial try, Stewart again adding the conversion.
In the closing ten minutes both teams used a number of replacements, but Friends’ positive approach paid off when, in the dying minutes, Adam Milligan broke off the back of a maul to run in and touch down to complete a hard-earned 22-3 win.
BANBRIDGE ACADEMY 15 – 16 ANTRIM GS
A defiant Banbridge Academy just lost out to Antrim Grammar School by 15-16 in a closely-fought first round game won with the last kick off the game.
Banbridge started the stronger, and after seven minutes a driving maul saw prop John Wilson sneak over in the corner for an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead.
Antrim responded positively, and on 22 minute Josh Battishill reduced the arrears to 5-3 with a well-struck penalty. Then, as play swung from end-to-end, the hardworking Academy flanker Jonny Campbell barged over for another unconverted try and his side was 10-3 in front at the break.
The second half started well for Academy, scrum-half Jordan Mount running in a great score early on, and once more the conversion went awry, but the home team now held a 15-3 advantage.
Antrim at last came to life, responding almost immediately, winger Adam Johnston scoring a fine try, which Josh Battishill converted, reducing the deficit to 15-10.
On 55 minutes Antrim Grammar then closed the gap to two points with a penalty from Sam Gordon to set up a grandstand finish.
And in the final play of the game, just as Banbridge seemed to have turned the ball over and won the match, the referee awarded a penalty for offside. Gordon stepped up and coolly slotted the kick, the final whistle blew and the Antrim players celebrated their dramatic 16-15 win in an intriguing Schools’ Cup-tie.
BELFAST HS 7 – 21 FOYLE & LONDONDERRY COLLEGE
Foyle and Londonderry College College made the trip to the Shore Road in Newtownabbbey and was delighted to return home 21-7 winners.
Belfast High controlled possession and territory early on, but could find no way through a determined and unyielding Foyle defence. And somewhat against the run of play, but as a result of great Foyle line speed in defence, the first try of the game came when a High School kick was charged down and out-half Conal Gill, kicked through.
At pace he regathered the ball and outstripped the home defence to score a try close to the posts, Matthew Orr converting to give Foyle College a 7-0 lead.
The home side responded in a positive manner, taking the game deep into the Foyle College ‘22’ and was rewarded for its enterprise when Tyler Arnold touched down for a try, Simon White adding the conversion to draw the scores level at 7-7.
The weather conditions started to really impact on the game, both teams experiencing difficulties in controlling the ball. Foyle’s defence was key to the visitors being rewarded with two penalties at vital times, Orr converting both to put his team into a 13-7 lead at half-time.
The High School team started the second half well but could not manage to get any change out of the Foyle defence, and as conditions worsened the visitors’ half-backs used their kicking skills to pin the Belfast team back. The home side conceded a penalty and Orr duly converted to give his team a 16-7 lead.
Foyle continued to dominate in the final quarter of the game and was rewarded with a try when scrum-half Killene Thornton put a great kick into the corner. Winger Matthew Alford retrieved the ball and though tackled short of the line but he did superbly well to ‘pop’ it up to the supporting Killene Thornton who finished the move with an unconverted try in the corner.
So Foyle and Londonderry College had done enough to win 21-7, and ‘man-of-the-match’ was Year 12 student and No.8 Joel Smyth, who made great carries during the game and tackled superbly.
INTRIGUING 2nd ROUND DRAW
The draw for the 2nd Round of this season's Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup was made at Lurgan College following the conclusion of the first round matches, the seven winners joined in the ‘hat’ by the nine sides which received byes to the nest stage: Ballyclare High School, Bangor Grammar School, Belfast Royal Academy, Dalriada School, Grosvenor Grammar School, Omagh Academy, Portora Royal School, Rainey Endowed School and Regent House School.
The draw was conducted by Wendy Murphy, representing the sponsors, and Mr Trevor Robinson, Principal of Lurgan College.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup Second Round
Belfast Royal Academy v Grosvenor Grammar School
Portadown College v Friends' School, Lisburn
Bangor Grammar School v Limavady Grammar School
Regent House School v Portora Royal School
Foyle and Londonderry College v Antrim Grammar School
Dalriada School v Omagh Academy
Royal School, Armagh v Rainey Endowed School
Ballyclare High School v Royal School, Dungannon
All ties to be played on Saturday, 23 January.
The winners of these fixtures will be joined in the 3rd Round by the remaining eight seeded schools: Ballymena Academy, Campbell College, Coleraine Grammar School, Down High School, Methodist College, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Sullivan Upper and Wallace High School.
Meanwhile, the seven teams defeated in the first round, along with Strabane Academy who lost in the preliminary round, now enter the Danske Bank Schools' Trophy, the draw for which was made by Eddie Taylor representing Danske Bank, and Mr Stephen Black, Chairman of the Ulster Schools Committee.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Trophy Quarter Finals
Cambridge House v Strabane Academy
Carrickfergus GS v Larne GS
Wellington College v Banbridge Academy
Belfast High School v Lurgan College
Matches are to be played on Saturday, 23 January.
MIDWEEK SHIELD AND CUP ACTION
Three Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield games were played on Tuesday of last week, Banbridge Academy defeating Antrim Grammar School by 27-0.
Regent House beat preliminary round winners Wellington College 55-7, while Lurgan College lost to Larne Grammar School by 26-17. Belfast HS went down to Omagh Academy in the same competition on Wednesday by 34-7.
On Thursday Cambridge House played Friends’ School, Lisburn in the Medallion Shield, the match finishing as an 8-8 draw. The replay will take place on Tuesday of this week at 2-45pm, the winners travelling to Ballymena Academy on Saturday.
Also in In the Medallion Shield Dromore High School defeated Grosvenor Grammar School 24-8 and will travel to Omagh Academy on Saturday.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rd XV Cup Sullivan Upper defeated Dalriada School 29-0 and will now play Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the quarter-final.
Also in the 3rd XV Cup Wallace High School lost 26-12 to Methodist College, Belfast 4th XV, and Methody now travels to Down High School 3rd XV on Wednesday.
BANGOR GS 12 – 9 DOWN HS
In a re-arranged 1st XV friendly game played on Wednesday last Bangor Grammar School defeated Down High School 12-9.
Down High was still missing key players from the back division but built up a 9-0 lead early on when Charlie Power was successful with three penalty kicks. Close to the interval the Bangor Grammar scored an unconverted try through Matthew Agnew to reduce the arrears to 9-5 at the break.
Bangor GS missed an early penalty at the start of the second half but it was not long before they scored the decisive try, tight-head prop Martin Withers taking advantage of good work from his forwards to touch down for a try converted by Zack Kerr for a 12-9 lead.
Down High might have snatched a draw in the closing stages of the game but a penalty fell short, so Bangor Grammar School team continued its Schools’ Cup preparations with a 12-9 win.
PRESENTATION COLLEGE, CORK 3 – 17 RBAI
Royal Belfast Academical Institution made the long journey to Cork on Wednesday of last week and returned with an impressive 17-3 win over Presentation Brother’s College.
After warming up in perfect conditions abroad the Irish winter returned with the game kicking off in wet and windy conditions, Presentation Brothers starting the stronger, and though dominating the first fifteen minutes the ‘Inst ‘defence held firm.
‘Inst’ then got a foothold in the match and it was its ’man-of-the-match’, an of winger Mark Keane got the first score when he finished off a move in the left corner after a superb break down the middle of the pitch from mobile prop John Dickson.
Now 5-0 ahead ‘Inst’ and Presentation pressed in turn the score remained unchanged at half-time.
In the second half RBAI put itself into strong positions with some good tactical kicking and game management skills from half-backs Michael Lowry and Niall Armstrong. That brought persistent pressure in the Presentation ‘22’ which resulted in a penalty try being awarded which James Hume converted to increase the Belfast ‘Inst’ lead to 12-0.
The Cork side then had a period of sustained pressure and was rewarded with a penalty to reduce the deficit to 12-3.
RBAI hit straight back with some enterprising counter-attacking rugby, one phase finished off by captain Conor Field who scorched in for an unconverted try to secure the deserved 17-3 victory.
In a fixture played annually for many years was the first Royal Belfast Academical Institution success since 1997.
GROSVENOR AND DOWN BEATEN BY WEATHER
On Saturday Grosvenor Grammar School hosted Down High School in a game where both teams used the game as an opportunity to play their extended squads.
The first quarter of the game was evenly contested but the weather severely affected the match, though Down High took a 5-0 lead when the impressive Zac Ward scored an unconverted try.
Grosvenor GS responded positively and went through multiple phases but unable to get on the scoreboard. The second quarter saw the weather conditions deteriorate to such an extent the decision was taken to abandon the game.
Not far away Methodist College entertained a Terenure College side which returned to Dublin as 15-3 winners.
The Methody points came from Paul Kerr with a well-struck penalty kick.
LEG INJURY HALTS OMAGH-REGENT CLASH
Omagh Academy built up an early 10-0 lead against Regent House at Campsie on Saturday before the game was called off fifteen minutes into the second half due to a leg injury to a visiting player.
The game turned out to be a battle of the packs, with Academy threatening the Regent line on a number of occasions. As a result of one of these attacks the Omagh was awarded a penalty, Kyle Beattie successfully splitting the uprights for a 3-0 lead.
Continued Omagh pressure saw team skipper Matthew Clyde score a nicely-worked try following secure possession from a scrum, Beattie converting to put the Academy into a strong 10-0 lead at the break.
The start of the second half saw Omagh maintain its pressure, but an unfortunate leg injury to a Regent House player resulted in the game being wisely cut short.
SULLIVAN UPPER 7 – 10 COLERAINE GS
Sullivan Upper and Coleraine Grammar met on Saturday in a closely-fought game won by the visitors 10-7.
Coleraine built up a 10-0 by half-time with a try from David Greatorex which Matthew Norris converted, and then Norris added a successful penalty kick.
Sullivan Upper team came back strongly in the second half and reduced the deficit to 10-7 when Stephen Moore scored a fine try which Rory Kilpatrick converted.
Sullivan attacked at every opportunity looking but the Coleraine GS defence held firm to secure a 10-7 victory.
RAINEY ES 15 – 15 BALLYCLARE HS
On Saturday Rainey Endowed and Ballyclare High School played out a fiercely-contested 15-15 draw as both sides prepared further for their entry to the second round of the Ulster Schools’ Cup.
Lorcan Quinn gave Rainey a 3-0 lead when he was successful with a penalty kick five minutes into the game, but Ballyclare responded with a try from Andrew Seymour, which Ryan McIlwaine converted, to take a 7-3 lead.
McIlwaine then kicked a penalty to stretch the Ballyclare High School lead to 10-3 lead by the interval.
Midway through the second half Anton Lupari scored a try for Rainey, Quinn adding the conversion to draw the sides level at 10-10.
Jack Lewis then scored an unconverted try in the corner for Ballyclare to regain the lead at 15-10.
However, Lupari saved the day for Rainey with his second try of the game, and though the conversion was missed both sides were pleased to share the spoils in a 15-15 draw.