### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup
On Saturday 10 February, the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup quarter-final games took place.
Banbridge Academy hosted Royal Belfast Academical Institution in a game the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team won by 45-10.
Banbridge Academy’s points came through one try from Connor Magee as well as one successful conversion and a penalty from Andrew Jackson.
As well as one penalty try, RBAI scored six more tries through Ross Dillon, Milo Carter, Ben McCausland alongside a hattrick from Alex Place. Alex added the extras to five of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution tries.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School played Wallace High School and it was Wallace High School that came away with a 35-17 victory.
Jake Irwin, Morgan Whittaker and Charlie Balfour scored the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School tries with Tadgh Hambly adding one successful conversion.
Wallace High School scored five tries through Matthew Dickson, Harry Lightbody, Rio McDonagh, who touched down for two, and Ben Moore. Goal kicker supreme, Lewis Stevenson, added all five successful conversions.
Regent House School played Ballymena Academy, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, in a game from which the Ballymena Academy team emerged as 17-5 winners. However, the Regent House School team made the Ballymena Academy team work hard for their win.
Honours were even in the opening exchanges with both teams willing to attack with the ball in hand and both defences displaying great organisation, as well as outstanding tackling skills.
The first try of the game came midway through the first half when, following a great midfield break, the Ballymena attack was halted by a great cover defence tackle from Evan McGonigle, However, the Ballymena Academy pack arrived in numbers and, two rucks later, Robbie Coleman finished things off when he touched down for a try. Robbie then added the extras to see his team into a 7-0 lead.
Regent House then really took the game into the Ballymena “Red Zone” and launched a series of attacks on the Ballymena Academy line. However, the Ballymena Academy team was determined that their line should remain intact.
Following some outstanding defence, when the Regent pack was held up just short of the line on several occasions, the Ballymena Academy team secured possession, cleared the danger and took their 7-0 lead into the break.
Early in the second half, Ballymena Academy extended their lead to 10-0 when, following the Regent House defence being forced into conceding a penalty, Robbie Coleman was successful with the resultant penalty kick.
Back came Regent House with another series of plays close to the Ballymena Academy line.
Once again, the Ballymena Academy defence held firm with a series of intense and dominant tackles.
Having regained possession, Ballymena Academy then laid siege on the Regent House line. Following a series of good phase possession, Charles Hargy forced his way over the Regent House line to touch down for a try. An excellent conversion from Robbie Coleman secured the 17-0 lead for the Ballymena Academy team.
Once again, Regent House School regrouped and took play deep into Ballymena Academy territory.
Following a lineout on the Ballymena Academy 22m line, possession was secured by the Regent House pack, the ball driven forward in a dynamic maul and the possession was turned into points when the impressive Hayden Hamilton touched down for an unconverted try, much to the delight of the large group of Regent House supporters.
Both teams kept the pace of the game up until the final whistle but there were no further scores ensuring the final scoreboard read Regent House School 5 Ballymena Academy 17.
In what might have been classified as the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ quarter-final “Match of the Day,” Methodist College entertained Sullivan Upper School on the perfectly prepared Pirrie Park paddock pitch.
This game turned out to be a very close encounter with the Sullivan Upper School team recording a hard earned but, ultimately, well-deserved 10-5 victory.
Sullivan Upper School had taken a 10-0 lead through a driven maul try from Nathan Noble, which was converted by Harry McKeown, who also added one penalty kick.
The game then turned into a bit of a forward dominated arm wrestle and Methodist College eventually got some reward for their endeavours when Rudy Jordan touched down for an unconverted try.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield
On Thursday 8 February, Friends’ School Lisburn played Campbell College in the quarter-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield. Campbell College team won the game by 26-10.
The game was played on an excellent surface in very difficult conditions but both teams were intent on playing with the ball in hand.
Rob Henderson scored a second half try for the Friends’ School Lisburn team. The try was converted by Harry Moore who had already converted a first half penalty kick.
Campbell College scored four tries through James McConnell, Oli Parkes, Cal McKinney and Tayo Olusanya. Henry Ralston was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
On Saturday 10 February, in the remaining quarter-final games, Rainey Endowed School played Royal School Armagh and it was Royal School Armagh that came away with a hard-earned 26-17 win.
Rainey Endowed School scored two tries through Tom Pitts and Nathan Overend with Owen O’Kane adding two successful conversion kicks as well as one penalty kick.
Royal School Armagh scored four tries through Adam Rolston and Cameron Cummings with Josh Lowey adding three successful conversions.
Larne Grammar School hosted Dromore High School and it was Dromore High School that came away with a 22-19 win.
Larne Grammar School scored three tries through Thomas Patton, Joel Farquhar and Ryan McDowell. Ethan Duncan added the extras to two of the tries.
Macauley McCandle, Daniel Ennis-McManus and Calum Bradley scored the Dromore High School tries with Daniel completing a fine morning’s work when he added two successful conversions as well as one penalty.
Portadown College entertained Belfast Royal Academy and recorded a 19-15 victory.
Oscar Eakin, Lucas McClements and Tom Neill scored the Portadown College tries with Danny Guy adding two successful conversion kicks.
Belfast Royal Academy’s came through a brace of tries from Aaron Caldwell with one conversion, as well as one penalty, from Frank Davis.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl
On Tuesday 6 February, Foyle College hosted Carrickfergus Grammar School in the first of the quarter-finals, with Foyle College emerging as 26-6 winners.
This game was played under the floodlights on the excellent Foyle College pitch and both teams played with great skill and determination during the game.
With players such as Robbie Patterson and Marcus Smith to the fore, Foyle College scored four tries. James Kelly, Finn McDaid, Sam Pollin and Adam Woods scored the tries with Darwyn Nutt adding three successful conversion kicks.
Carrickfergus Gramar School contributed a lot to the flow of the game. Their impressive captain, Ellis Branagh, led by example and was successful with two penalty kicks.
Alex Pherson, Justin Irwin, Cameron Brown and Ellis Bell put in good performances while other Year 14 players such as Owen Patterson and Ross Lindsay gave off their best, as they have all done during their time playing rugby at Carrickfergus Grammar School.
On Saturday 10 February, the remaining quarter-final games took place. Royal School Dungannon played Ballyclare High School and it was Ballyclare High School that recorded a 21-17 victory.
James Gibson, John Carroll and Reuben Hampton scored the Royal School, Dungannon tries with James adding one successful conversion.
Tom Neill, Joel Logan and Jacob Scarlett scored the Ballyclare High School tries with Harry Thompson successfully converting all three tries.
Cambridge House Grammar School played Coleraine Grammar School and won this close encounter by 16-15.
Justin Mark scored two unconverted tries, as well as one penalty, for the Cambridge House Grammar School team. Their remaining three points came through a Paddy Roberts penalty.
Jordy McAuley kicked five successful penalty kicks for the Coleraine Grammar School team.
Limavady Grammar School played Down High School in game the Down High School team won by 15-8.
Limavady Grammar scored one try through Jamie Carmichael and kicked one penalty through James Laird.
Down High School scored two tries through Ryan Connolly and Jonny Russell with Josh McCaughey adding one successful conversion as well as one penalty kick.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy
On Wednesday 7 February, in the quarter-final, Antrim Grammar School entertained Lurgan College and won the game by 10-0.
On the back of good performances from players such as Rhys McGrandles, Eoin Byrne, Calum Campbell and Adomas Blazauskas, the Antrim Grammar School points came through a try from Jack McNeilly and a conversion and penalty from Alexander Lynn.
On Saturday 10 February, the remaining quarter-final games were scheduled. Grosvenor Grammar School was to have played Dalriada School but this game has been rescheduled.
Omagh Academy played Bangor Grammar School and recorded a comfortable 16-0 victory.
Sam Beattie scored one try for the Omagh Academy team with Sam Busby kicking the conversion as well as kicking three successful penalty kicks.
Strabane Academy played Belfast High School and won the high scoring encounter by 26-22.
Both teams displayed great skills and determination throughout this exciting game.
Strabane Academy scored their points through tries from Tom Logue, Callum Kelly, Felix Foley and Reuben Darragh. Johnny Orr was successful with three conversion kicks.
Belfast High School scored three tries through Rory Dunlop, Ben Gardiner and Andrew Campbell. Archie Cruikshank added two successful conversions as well as one successful penalty kick.
Once the results of these Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Subsidiary Shield, Bowl and Trophy quarter-final games were known, the draws took place for the semi-finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Subsidiary Shield, Bowl and Trophy.
In recognition of their 100th Anniversary celebrations the draws took place at Regent House School and were organised by Richard Clingan, the acting Principal of Royal School Dungannon and Chairman of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Committee.
Richard was delighted to be organising the draws and was assisted by Richard Caldwell, Managing Director of the Danske Bank GB Corporate and Strategy Department, Paula Parker, Domestic Rugby Department, Ulster Rugby, John Nicholl, Head of Boys’ Physical Education and Master-in-Charge of Rugby in Ballymena Academy, and Mr Stephen McGonigle, Vice-Principal of Regent House School.
The results of the draws are as follows:
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Semi-Finals
Drawn by Richard Caldwell and Stephen McGonigle
- Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Wallace High School
- Ballymena Academy v Sullivan Upper School
RBAI v Wallace will be played at the Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday 27 February with Ballymena v Sullivan on Wednesday 28 February.
The first team listed in each of these semi- draws will use the Ulster Home Changing Room at the Kingspan Stadium on semi-final day.
The winners of the first semi-final listed will have use of the Ulster Home Changing Room for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final at the Kingspan Stadium on Monday 18 March.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Semi-Finals
Drawn by Richard Caldwell and John Nicholl
- Portadown College v Campbell College Belfast
- Dromore High School v Royal School Armagh
These semi-finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 24 February.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Semi-Finals
Drawn by Richard Caldwell and Paula Parker
- Cambridge House Grammar School v Down High School
- Ballyclare High School v Foyle College
These semi-finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 24 February.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Semi-Finals
Drawn by Richard Caldwell and Richard Clingan
- Omagh Academy v Grosvenor Grammar School/Dalriada School
- Strabane Academy v Antrim Grammar School
These semi-finals MUST take place on/before Saturday 24 February.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdXV Competitions
On Wednesday 7 February, in the semi-finals of the 3rdXV Cup, Campbell College 3rdXV played Belfast Royal Academy 3rdXV and recorded a 52-12 victory.
At the same time Wallace High School 3rdXV hosted Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdXV in their 3rdXV Cup semi-final game which the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team won by 40-0.
Meanwhile, at Pirrie Park, Methodist College 5thXV hosted Ballyclare High School 3rdXV in the semi-final of the 3rdXV Plate.
Ballyclare High School 3rdXV won this game by 54-12.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Competitions
On Monday 5 February, Belfast High School played Lurgan College in their delayed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy semi-final game. Belfast High School won the game by 29-5.
Belfast High School will now play Banbridge Academy in the final of the Medallion Trophy at Friends’ School Lisburn on Thursday 22 February at 14.45.
On Tuesday 6 February, in the delayed Medallion Bowl semi-final game, Rainey Endowed School hosted Friends’ School Lisburn and, at the end of a very close game, it was Rainey Endowed School that won the game by 16-15.
Rainey Endowed School will now play Portadown College in the final of the Medallion Bowl at Royal School Dungannon on Tuesday 20 February at 14.30.
In the delayed quarter-final game of the Medallion Plate, Royal School Dungannon hosted Antrim Grammar School. Antrim Grammar School won the game by 13-8.
Antrim Grammar School will now play away to Ballymena Academy in the semi-final of the Medallion Plate on/before Saturday 24 February.