### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup final took place at Kingspan Stadium on Monday 18 March when RBAI , the current holders of the Schools’ Cup, played Ballymena Academy.
The game, which RBAI won by 21-14, was played in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters for both teams, all of whom appreciated the high standards of performance displayed by all the players.
Ballymena Academy started the game strongly, but it was RBAI that took the lead when a stary pass in a Ballymena Academy attack was intercepted by James Kerr. James showed a clean pair of heals to the chasing defenders and touched down for the try.
Alex Place added the conversion to see RBAI into a 7-0 lead.
Ballymena Academy might have gone further behind but eventually fought their way back into the game Alexander Carson made a great midfield break to take play deep into the RBAI 22.
RBAI was forced into conceding a penalty and James McElroy took full advantage. A clever delayed pass to Daniel Vercoe-Rogers saw Daniel fend off two defenders before running in for the try. Robbie Coleman added the extras to draw the scores level at 7-7.
Ballymena Academy returned to the RBAI “Red Zone” and their determination to play with the ball in hand was rewarded when Deon Fleming touched down following a big drive to the line. A second Robbie Coleman conversion saw the Ballymena Academy team into a 14-7 lead.
RBAI responded immediately and good work from the impressive Adam Boyd saw him stretch for the whitewash and dot down for the try. Alex Place added the conversion to see the scoreboard read RBAI 14 Ballymena Academy 14 at the break.
Shortly after the restart, the Ballymena Academy team might have taken the lead. With the RBAI team on the attack, good defence from the Ballymena Academy team forced a loose RBAI pass.
Michael McLean got the boot to ball and hacked the ball towards the RBAI line. Having won the footrace, Michael looked as if he was a sure-fire bet to score. However, with the line at his mercy, the ball was somehow accidently knocked forward and the opportunity was lost.
It was the much-relieved RBAI team that then started to dominate most aspects of the game. Following an attacking maul, replacement prop, Ross Dillon, was awarded the touchdown and the successful Alex Place conversion saw the RBAI team take a 21-14 lead going into the final few minutes of this enthralling game.
Ballymena Academy chased the game seeking another score. However, RBAI displayed great ability in controlling the ball and held out to secure their 21-14 victory.
Following the game, Vicky Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Danske Bank, presented medals to the referee, Chris Busby, and his team of Keane Davidson, Peter Doherty, Lee Evans and Andrew McConville as well as medals to players from both squads.
Denis Gardiner, President of the Ulster Branch and the IRFU, then made the presentation of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup to the winning RBAI captain, Frazer Cunningham.
Both teams, and their coaching staff, were congratulated on reaching the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, the referee, Chris Busby, and his team of referees, were thanked for their control of the game and Danske Bank was thanked for their continuing sponsorship of all the Ulster Schools’ Rugby competitions. Denis thanked the Schools’ Committee, under the Chairmanship, of Richard Clingan, for organising the sixteen competitions. The parents and guardians of all the players were thanked for the support and encouragement they had given the young players throughout the season.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield
On Wednesday 13 March the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield final was played at Queen’s University RFC when Campbell College played Royal School Armagh.
This final, which Campbell College won by 45-14, was played in front of a good crowd of enthusiastic spectators, which included several Ulster Rugby Elite Player Development Officers, including Irish Schools’ head coach, Neil Doak.
Despite the fact Royal School Armagh team was missing several regular players, they made a strong start to the game with an early try from the hard-working Thomas Dougan. Josh Lowey added the conversion to see his team into a 7-0 lead.
Campbell College then went on to dominate both territory and possession for much of the remainder of the first half.
With Cal McKinney at the centre of all that was impressive about the Campbell College performance, tries from Will Alexander, James McConnell, with two, Josh Bunting and Paul Henry, with four Henry Ralston conversions, saw Campbell College into a 33-7 lead at the break.
Royal School Armagh displayed great energy and commitment after the restart. Thomas Dougan was once again at the centre of things and combined with Will Boyd and Nili Tuipuloto before James Reid barged his way over the whitewash to touch down for a try. Josh Lowey added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 33-14.
Campbell College then responded with an unconverted try from Tayo Olusanya to put his team into a 38-14 lead.
Good work from players such as Cal McKinney, Tayo Olusayna, James McConnell, James Wells and Oli Park ended with Josh Bunting scoring his second try of the game. Harry Dyer added the extras to secure the 45-14 victory for Campbell.
Following the game, Paul Hart, Junior Vice-President of the Ulster Branch, made the presentation of the platyer of the match award to Cal McKinney, the Subsidiary Shield to James McConnell, the winning Campbell College captain, as well as the finalist medals to the players from both schools.
Both teams, and their coaching staff, were congratulated by Paul on reaching the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield, the referee, Jonny Erskine, and his team of Michael Pollock, Teddy Sloan and John Adams, were thanked for their control of the game, Queen’s University RFC, through David Chambers, and the groundstaff, were thanked for the use of facilities and hosting the game and Danske Bank were thanked for their continuing sponsorship of all the Ulster Schools’ competitions. Paul thanked the Ulster Schools’ Rugby Committee for the organisation of the sixteen Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Rugby competitions. The parents and guardians of all the players were also thanked for the support and encouragement they had given the young players throughout the season.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Competitions
On Tuesday 12 March the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate final took place at the JC Picken Playing Fields at Roughfort when Ballymena Academy played Methodist College in a game Methodist College won by 22-14.
Following the game, John Wilson, representing the Ulster Branch, IRFU, made the presentation of the Medallion Plate to the winning Methodist College captain, Harry Doherty, as well as the finalist medals to the players from both schools.
Both teams, and their coaching staff, were congratulated on reaching the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate, the referee, Stuart Campbell, was thanked for his control of the game, Belfast Royal Academy, through DJ Creighton, and Anton Gaw, the Head Groundsman, were thanked for the use of facilities and hosting the game and the Danske Bank was thanked for their continuing sponsorship of all the Ulster Schools’ competitions. The parents and guardians of all the players were thanked for the support and encouragement they had given the young players throughout the season.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy
On Wednesday 13 March, at Eaton Park, home of Ballymena RFC, the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy final took place when Dalriada School played Antrim Grammar School.
This final was played in front of a good crowd of enthusiastic supporters with Dalriada recording a 40-5 victory.
Dalriada scored six tries through Ben Stewart, with a brace, Zach McIlhagga, Ben Kirk, Isaac Moore and Matthew Fox. Gabriel Stubbs-Carton was successful with five of his conversion kicks.
Antrim Grammar School, with players such as James Spence, Eoin Byrne, Jake Quigley, Joel McLaughlin and Alexander Lynn to the fore, got some reward for their endeavours throughout the game when Peter Kane touched down for an unconverted try.
Following the game, Laura Thompson, a member of the Ulster Branch, made the presentation of the Trophy to the winning Dalriada School captain, Oliver Hughes, as well as the finalist medals to the players from both schools.
Both teams, and their coaching staff, were congratulated on reaching the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy, the referee, John Mawhinney, and his team of Gerry Saunders, Stephen Hanna and Alistair Rowan, were thanked for their control of the game, Ballymena RFC, through David McAleese, and his groundstaff, was thanked for the use of facilities and hosting the game and Danske Bank were thanked for their continuing sponsorship of all the Ulster Schools’ competitions. The parents and guardians of all the players were thanked for the support and encouragement they had given the young players throughout the season.
Laura also presented an IRFU Charitable Trust Plaque in recognition of what Dalriada School has done over many years as a “Friend” of the Irish Rugby Union Charitable Trust by contributing to the Trust and raising considerable funds for this most worthy of causes.
Dalriada School has, along with several other schools in Ulster, led the way in getting all Schools’ Cup Schools in Ulster signed up as a “Friend” of the IRFU Charitable Trust.
### Other tournaments and competitions
Friendlies
On Monday 11 March, a Belfast Royal Academy “Select” XV played the Ulster Clubs’ U17 team at the Meadowbank Stadium in Magherafelt.
Both teams used this game, which Belfast Royal Academy won by 42-21, to give playing time to extended squads.
Ulster Clubs’ points came through tries from Thomas Skelly, Banbridge RFC, Austin McAreevey, Lurgan RFCC and Adam Blaine, Ballynahinch RFC. Isaac Stubbs-Carton, Coleraine RFC, was successful with all three of his conversion kicks.
Players such as Josh Harold, Josh McLaughlin, Ethan Pavlovic, Jack Webb, Ryan Calwell, Matt McLaughlin and Oran Cole all featured strongly for the Belfast Royal Academy team throughout the game.
NEBSSA U12 Tournament
Also, on Tuesday 12 March the NEBSSA U12 Tournament took place at Coleraine Grammar School.
This U12 Tournament, organised by Ashley Blair and his rugby staff, attracted entries of eighteen teams from eleven schools. This ensured that somewhere in the region of 240 players had the opportunity to play in the tournament.
Section A teams from Antrim Grammar School, Ballyclare High School, Coleraine Grammar School, Dalriada School, Foyle College, Larne Grammar School, Limavady Grammar School and Rainey Endowed School played off group stage games in two groups of four.
The top two teams in each group then played semi-final games which ended up with Coleraine Grammar School playing Dalriada School in the final. Coleraine Grammar School won the final to secure the NEBSSA U12 title.
Seven of these schools were joined by teams from Carrickfergus Grammar School, Ballyclare Secondary School and Cullybackey College in a second competition when group stage games were played in two groups of five.
The top two teams in each group then played semi-final games which ended up with Ballyclare High School playing Limavady Grammar School in the final. Ballyclare High School won this final with a “Golden Score”.
Gary Clarke Memorial Tournament
The annual Gary Clarke Memorial Tournament was played at Lurgan RFC when Banbridge Academy, Lurgan College, Friends’ School and a “Barbarians” team, comprised of players from the three schools, played out a round robin series of U17 games.
The final game saw the Banbridge Academy team defeat the Barbarians team by 19-0.
The evening proved to be very successful with over 80 players getting an end of season run out. Thanks are due to Lurgan RFC for hosting the event.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 7s Tournament
The annual Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Seven-a-Side tournament took place at the Queen’s University RFC pitches on Friday 15 March.
Teams were entered from Banbridge Academy, Belfast Royal Academy, Campbell College, Coleraine Grammar School, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Friends’ School, Larne Grammar School, Limavady Grammar School, Rainey Endowed School, Regent House School, Sullivan Upper School and Wallace High School.
With twelve schools participating, over 120 players had the opportunity of participating in group stage games, semi-final games with Wallace High School contesting, and winning, the final with Rainey Endowed School.
Thanks are due to David Chambers, and his staff at QUB RFC, for hosting this very enjoyable Ulster Schools’ 7s Tournament.
Belfast Royal Academy U13 Tournament
At the recent Belfast Royal Academy U13 tournament, over 200 players from Ballyclare High School, Belfast Royal Academy, Down High School, Friends’ School, Lisburn, Methodist College, Belfast, Omagh Academy, Rainey Endowed School, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Sullivan Upper School and Wallace High School took part in group stage games and semi-final games.
This U13 tournament finished with Wallace High School winning the final game against Sullivan Upper School.
Thanks are due to DJ Creighton, Chris McCarey, and the ground staff at Belfast Royal Academy, led by Anton Gaw, for hosting this enjoyable end of season tournament.
O’Kane U14 Tournament
The annual O’Kane U14 Tournament took place at Ballymena Academy when over 240 players from Antrim Grammar School, Ballyclare High School, Ballymena Academy, Belfast Royal Academy, Cambridge House Grammar School, Coleraine Grammar School, Dromore High School, Friends’ School, Larne Grammar School, Omagh Academy, Rainey Endowed School and Sullivan Upper School played in a group stage tournament for the O’Kane Trophy and Plate.
The semi-finals of the O’Kane Trophy were contested by Friends’ School, Sullivan Upper School, Ballymena Academy and Larne Grammar School.
The final of the O’Kane Trophy was shared with Sullivan Upper School keeping the O’Kane Trophy until September when Ballymena Academy will receive it.
In the O’Kane Plate final, Antrim Grammar School defeated Cambridge House Grammar School.
Thanks are due to John Nicholl, Stephen Johnston, the Ballymena Academy Rugby and Catering staff, the USRFR and the O’Kane Sponsors for all they did in making this U14 Tournament so enjoyable.
Coleraine Grammar School U12 Tournament
Coleraine Grammar School ran their annual U12 Tournament attracting 22 teams from Ballymena Academy, Belfast Royal Academy, Cambridge House Grammar School, Campbell College, Coleraine Grammar School, Dalriada School, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Limavady Grammar School, Methodist College, Belfast, Rainey Endowed School, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Sullivan Upper School and Willow Park School, from Dublin.
The structure of the tournament ensured that around 300 players got pitch time over the day.
Belfast Royal Academy, Coleraine Grammar school, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and Limavady Grammar School played in Group A games with Coleraine Grammar School and Enniskillen Royal Grammar School topping the group.
In Group B Rainey Endowed School, RBAI and the Willow Park B team played out their games with RBAI and Rainey Endowed School topping the group.
Campbell College, Methodist College and Sullivan Upper School played out the Group C games with Campbell College and Methodist College topping the group.
In Group D Ballymena Academy, Dalriada School and the Willow Park A team played out their games with Willow Park A and Dalriada topping the group.
In the quarter-final games, Rainey defeated Coleraine Grammar School, RBAI defeated Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Campbell College defeated Dalriada School and Willow Park A won against Methodist College.
In the semi-final games RBAI defeated Rainey while Campbell College won against the Willow Park A team.
The final saw Campbell College win against RBAI .
In the second Coleraine Grammar School Tournament teams from Ballymena Academy, Belfast Royal Academy, Cambridge House Grammar School, Campbell College, Coleraine Grammar School, Methodist College, Belfast, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Sullivan Upper School and the Willow Park C team played out group stage games for the Coleraine Cup and Shield.
Methodist College won the Cup while Sullivan Upper School won the Shield.
All participating schools, and their players, would like to thank Ashley Blair and the rugby staff at Coleraine Grammar School for organising such an enjoyable day of end of season rugby.
Methodist College U13 Tournament
Methodist College hosted an eight team U13 Tournament with over 180 players taking part from Ballymena Academy, BRA, Campbell College, Larne Grammar School, Methodist College, Belfast, RBAI , Sullivan and Wallace.
Following each team playing three group stage games, Methodist College played Wallace in one semi-final with RBAI playing Campbell College in the second semi-final.
The outcome of the tournament was decided when Methodist College defeated RBAI in the last game.
Thanks are due to Nicky Wells, and the staff at Methodist College, Belfast, for organising such an enjoyable tournament.
Development Games
Lurgan College and Belfast High School played out a fourteen-try U17 Development team thriller which the Lurgan College team won.
Players such as Dylan Newell, Josh Wilson, Ben Maxwell, Ollie Givan, Tom Stevenson, Lewis Robinson and Andrew Lyttle all impressed with their performances for the Lurgan College team.