Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Preview: Round 1

Barney McGonigle previews the key tie for Round 1 of the Schools' Cup Group stages… Following a recent review of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, there are twelve Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group matches scheduled to be played on Wednesday 16^th, Friday 18^th and Saturday 19^th October. The “Tie of the Round” would appear to be the North Down “Derby” game involving two past winners of the Ulster Schools’ Cup when Regent House School will host Bangor Grammar School. Any Regent House School v Bangor Grammar School game is always a game that both sets of players, coaches and supporters will look forward to and this game will be no different. The Regent House School team has had an indifferent start to the current season but their coaching team of Nick Gamble, Mervyn Tweed and Neil Dougan will hope to have a full squad available for this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group B game. The Regent House School team, captained by their impressive centre, Ryan Pritchard, will see this game as an opportunity to really kick start their season. Injuries to key personnel have had a negative impact on the performances of the Regent House School team but the players and staff are eagerly anticipating this game with their North Down rivals. Will Hopes, a Regent House School player who has gained Ulster Age Grade representative honours with the Ulster U19 team in the past two seasons, is a key player for the Regent House School team. He is joined by players such as Josh Heron, Luke Megarity and Hasan Kaymak all of whom have impressed with their performances so far this season. If the Regent House School players can play this game by displaying their full potential, then a shock result could be on the cards. The Bangor Grammar School team, coached by Rhys Botha and Colin Hunter, has overcome a difficult start to the season and started to play some very positive rugby as recent results would suggest. The team is captained by Conor Lusty, an exciting centre   who has been central to the recent revival of the Bangor Grammar School team. In recent games the coaches have been able to select from a full squad of fit players and this has also been seen in the positive results the team has achieved. Scrum half, Angus Christie, is their leading points scorer and he is someone the Regent House School defence will need to monitor closely. Number 8, Patrick Dobbie is hard working forward who gains a lot of front foot ball for his colleagues to work with. Players such as Robbie Grant, Riley Westwood, Bryn McCartney and Ben Gibson bring Ulster Age Grade representative experience to the Bangor Grammar School team and this might prove to be the decisive factor in determining the outcome of this game. This game will be seen as a huge derby game with two neighbouring schools. Both sides will be out to prove a point so a physical and fast paced game is expected. It will come down to who can execute their game plan the best and who can adjust to the pressures of the day the best. This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group B game is scheduled to kick off at 10am. Below is a fixture list of all the Round 1 Group Stage games.

Danske Bank Schools Cup Round 1 Fixtures:

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER Group B: Foyle College vs. Down High School, kick-off 2.30pm FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER Group E: Belfast High School vs. Belfast Royal Academy, kick-off 2.30pm SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER Group A: Friends School vs. Limavady GS, kick-off 10.15am Rainey Endowed School vs. Dromore HS, kick-off 10.30am Group B: Regent House School vs. Bangor Grammar School, kick-off 10am Group C: Cambridge House GS vs. Lurgan College, kick-off 10.15am at Eaton Park Ballyclare HS vs. Omagh Academy, kick-off 10.30am Group D: Dalriada School vs. Sullivan Upper School, kick-off 10.30am Strabane Academy vs. Grosvenor GS, kick-off 10.30am Group E: Banbridge Academy vs. Coleraine GS, kick-off 10.30am Group F: Enniskillen GS vs. Portadown College, kick-off 10.30am Royal School Dungannon vs. Larne GS, kick-off 11am