### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup
On Tuesday 27 February, the first of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Semi-Finals took place at the Kingspan Stadium when RBAI, the current holders of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, played Wallace High School. RBAI won the game 33-20, and proceed to the final. Read the full match report here.
On Wednesday 28 February the second Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup semi-final, featuring Ballymena Academy and Sullivan Upper School, took place at the Kingspan Stadium. It was the Ballymena Academy team, with their 25-14 victory, that earned the right to play RBAI in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup final on 18 March at the Kingspan Stadium. Read the full match report here.
### Danske Bank Ulster School’s Subsidiary Shield
On Saturday 24 February, the Subsidiary Shield semi-finals took place.
Portadown College hosted Campbell College in a game in which the Campbell College team recorded a comprehensive 40-0 victory.
Players such as Cal McKinney, James McConnell, Oli Parkes, Henry Ralston, Tayo Olusanyo, Josh Bunting and Rus Lovo all featured strongly for the Campbell College team during this game.
Meanwhile, at the Barban Hill venue, Dromore High School hosted Royal School Armagh, the current holders of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield.
Royal School Armagh team won this game by 24-12 and will now meet Campbell College in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield.
The final will be played at Queen’s University RFC on Wednesday 13 March.
Daniel Ennis-McManus and Eren Strydom each scored one try for the Dromore High School team with Daniel adding one successful conversion.
Royal School Armagh team scored three tries through Nili Tiupulotu, Thomas Dougan and Niall Conn. Jost Lewey had a successful morning off the tee with three successful conversions as well as one successful penalty.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl
On Thursday 22 February, Ballyclare High School played Foyle College in the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl.
Ballyclare High School won this very closely contested game by 13-12 with Ben Vance and Harry Thompson each touching down for an unconverted try. Jacob Scarlett was successful with one penalty kick.
Foyle College scored two tries through Robert Rankin and Markus Smith with one successful conversion from Darwyn Nutt.
On Saturday 24 February, the semi-final between Cambridge House Grammar School and Down High School took place. It was a closely contested game which Cambridge House Grammar School won by 14-12.
Justin Marks was the “Hero of the Day” for the Cambridge House Grammar School team when he scored two tries and added the extras to both.
Down High School scored two tries through Ryan Connolly and Matthew Douglas with Josh McCaughey adding one successful conversion kick.
Cambridge House Grammar School will now play Ballyclare High School in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy
On Friday 23 February, Strabane Academy hosted Antrim Grammar School in the first of the Trophy semi-finals.
This semi-final proved to be another extremely closely contested game which the Antrim Grammar School team won by 18-17.
Strabane Academy’s points came through an unconverted try from Cathair McGrath and four successful penalty kicks from Johnny Orr.
Jack McNeilly and Jake Quigley scored the Antrim Grammar School tries with Alexander Lynn adding one conversion as well as two successful penalty kicks.
Due to ground conditions at Strabane Academy, this game was switched to an excellent surface at Foyle College.
Both teams, their coaches and spectators, are extremely grateful to the Principal, Governors and staff of Foyle College, and especially David Barnett, for making this excellent facility available at such short notice.
Grosvenor Grammar School played Dalriada School in the delayed quarter-final of the Trophy.
Dalriada School won the game by 22-15 and will now travel to play Omagh Academy in the semi-final.
Conor Allen and Stefan Buick each scored a try for the Grosvenor Grammar School team while Ross Millar added one successful conversion with Jude Anderson adding one successful penalty.
Dalriada School scored four tries through Joe Lynas, Angus Graham, Luke Stewart and Alfie Millar. Gabriel Stubbs-Carton was successful with one of his conversion kicks.
On Saturday 2 March, in the one remaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy semi-final, Omagh Academy entertained Dalriada School at the Campsie Playing Fields Arena.
Dalriada School won the game by 36-8 and will now play Antrim Grammar School in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy.
The Omagh Academy points came through a Sam Busby penalty and an unconverted try from Harry McIlwaine.
The Dalriada School team scored five tries through Angus Graham, who touched down twice, Oliver Hughes, Adam Bustard, and Zach McIlhagga. Gabriel-Stubbs Carton had a fine morning off the tee with four successful conversions as well as one successful penalty kick.
### Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndXV Competitions
On Monday 19 February Rainey Endowed School 2ndXV played Royal School Dungannon 2ndXV in the much-delayed 2ndXV Plate semi-final.
At the end of an exciting game, it was Rainey Endowed School 2ndXV that emerged as 27-19 winners.
Rainey will now play Ballymena Academy 2ndXV in the final of the 2ndXV Plate at Ballyclare High School on Saturday 2 March.
On Tuesday 27 February at Coleraine Grammar School, the 2ndXV Trophy was up for grabs when Coleraine Grammar School 2ndXV hosted Bangor Academy 1XV.
This was a very closely contested Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndXV Trophy final from which the Coleraine Grammar School 2ndXV emerged as 19-17 winners.
Following the game, Norman Gault, representing the Ulster Branch, IRFU, made the presentation of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndXV Trophy to the winning Coleraine Grammar School captain 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’ 2ndXV Trophy, the referee, Gary Milling, was thanked for his control of the game, Coleraine Grammar School, through Ashley Blair, and his ground staff, was 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.
On Friday 1 March, the final of the 2ndXV Cup took place at CIYMS RFC where Campbell College 2ndXV played RBAI 2ndXV. Campbell College had defeated Methodist College the previous week, in a closely contested 21-17 semi-final.
RBAI won this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndXV Cup final by game by 14-5.
Following the game, Greg Irwin, Chairman of the Ulster Rugby Committee and representative of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, made the presentation of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndXV Cup to the winning RBAI 2ndXV captain 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’ 2ndXV Cup, the referee, Mark Hermin, was thanked for his control of the game, CIYMS RFC, through David Peden and Chris Shields, and their ground staff, was 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.
On Saturday 2 March, the final of the 2ndXV Plate took place at Ballyclare High School when Ballymena Academy 2ndXV played the Rainey Endowed School 2ndXV.
At the end of this well-contested final, it was the Ballymena Academy team that emerged as 19-13 winners.
Following the game, Dr Paul Flanigan, representing the Ulster Branch, IRFU, made the presentation of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndXV Plate to the winning Ballymena Academy 2ndXV captain 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’ 2ndXV Plate, the referee, Rory Stewart was thanked for his control of the game, Ballyclare High School, through Michael McKeever, and his ground staff, was 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’ 3rdXV Competitions
On Wednesday 28 February, RBAI 3rdXV played Campbell College 3rdXV in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdXV Cup at Pirrie Park.
The RBAI 3rdXV retained the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdXV Cup with an 18-10 victory.
Following the game, Neale Wilson, representing the Ulster Branch, IRFU, made the presentation of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdXV Cup to the winning RBAI 3rdXV captain as well as the finalist medals to the players from both schools.
Both teams, and their coaching staff, were congratulated on reaching the final, the referee, Billy Halliday, was thanked for his control of the game, Methodist College, through Nick Wells and the Methodist College ground staff, was 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.
Meanwhile, at Carrickfergus Grammar School, Ballyclare High School 3rdXV and Methodist College 3rdXV met in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdXV Plate. Methodist College 3rdXV had defeated Methodist College 4thXV 24-5 to reach the final.
Methodist College 3rdXV won this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdXV Plate final by 22-7.
Following the game, Laura Thompson, representing the Ulster Branch and a member of the IRFU, made the presentation of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdXV Plate to the winning Methodist College 3rdXV captain 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’ 3rdXV Plate, the referee, Morgan McCartney, was thanked for his control of the game, Carrickfergus Grammar School, through Neal Kennedy and Ryan Reaney, and their ground staff, was 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’ Medallion Competitions
On Tuesday 20 February, Royal School Dungannon was the venue when Portadown College played Rainey Endowed School in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl.
This game proved to be a very close encounter with the Rainey Endowed School team recording a 22-21 victory.
Following the game, Graffin Parke and Bobby Stewart, both former Presidents of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, made the presentations of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl to the winning captain well as the finalist medals to the players from both schools.
Both teams, and their coaching staff, were congratulated on reaching the final, the referee, Gary Treanor, was thanked for his control of the game, Royal School, Dungannon through Richard Clingan and Gareth McClintock, was 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.
On Wednesday 21 February, Ballymena Academy played Antrim Grammar School in the semi-final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate.
Ballymena Academy recorded a 34-5 victory at the end of the game.
On Thursday 22 February, at Friends’ School Lisburn, Banbridge Academy played Belfast High School in the final of the Medallion Trophy.
This final provided a skilful encounter with both teams determined to play with the ball in hand on an excellent surface.
At the end of this exciting game, it was Banbridge Academy that emerged as 24-21 winners.
Following the game, Sam Grattan, representing the Ulster Branch, made the presentations of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy to the winning captain as well as the finalist medals to the players from both schools.
Both teams, and their coaching staff, were congratulated on reaching the final, the referee, Shane Toolan, was thanked for his control of the game, Friends’ School, Lisburn, through Ivor Monaghan, 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.
On Saturday 24 February, the semi-finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield competition took place.
Coleraine Grammar School played RBAI at the JC Picken playing fields at Roughfort, in a game the RBAI team won by 33-15.
Both teams, their coaches and spectators, would like to thank Belfast Royal Academy, and especially DJ Creighton and, Anton, the Head Groundsman, for the use of facilities and hosting the game on such an excellent playing surface.
Meanwhile, at Rainey Endowed School, Dalriada School played Sullivan Upper School in a game the Sullivan team, with the last kick of the game, won by 13-12.
Both teams, their coaches and spectators, would like to thank Chris Campbell, and his staff at the Rainey, for the use of facilities and hosting the game.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield final, featuring RBAI and Sullivan Upper School, will take place at the Kingspan Stadium on Tuesday 5 March.
In the Medallion Plate semi-final, Methodist College played Ballyclare High School in a game the Methodist College team won by 17-0.
Methodist College will now play Ballymena Academy in the final of the Medallion Plate.
### Friendlies
Carrickfergus Grammar School Senior squad went on tour to Barcelona where two games were played against San Cugat RFC and Spartan’s Granollers RFC U18 teams.
These games signalled the end of the Carrickfergus Grammar School rugby journey for several Year 14 players. Included on that list is Josh Jordan, who, following a lengthy recent spell on the side-lines due to injury, made a successful return to play comeback with his try scoring exploits while on tour.
Dawson Taylor, Tyler Playfair, team captain, Ellis Branagh, vice-captain, Alex Pherson, Ellis Bell and Max Matuszewski were other players who impressed with their performances in the course of both games.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School U17 “Select” team played against Sligo Grammar School.
Sligo Grammar School won this game by 33-12 with Seamus Greene and Cameron Smith each scoring a try for the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team to which Tadhg Hambly added one successful conversion.
Gerard Murthagh, Ambrose Devine, Dylan McGloat and Diarmaid O’Connell, with a brace, were the Sligo Grammar School try scorers. Mark Tempany was successful with four of his conversion kicks.
Larne Grammar School played Friends’ School Lisburn in a game the Larne Grammar School team won by 22-12.
Charlie Patterson, Luke Farquhar and Thomas Patton scored the Larne Grammar School tries with Ethan Duncan adding two conversions as well as one penalty.
On the back of good performances from players such as Gethin Mageean and Ethan Salt, Friends’ School, Lisburn scored two tries through Angus Crawford and Rob Henderson. Harry Moore was successful with one conversion kick.
Campbell College 4thXV team played the Instonian’s Club U16 team in a game the Campbell College team won by 43-12.
On Saturday 2 March, Lurgan College and Limavady Grammar School looked towards next season when they fielded U17 Development teams in a game which the Lurgan College team won by 12-7.
Ollie Givan and Josh Wilson scored the Lurgan College tries with Ben Maxwell adding the extras to one of the tries.
The Limavady Grammar School team got some reward for their considerable endeavours throughout the game when Ben Moore ran in for a try which he goaled.
The annual RBAI U14 Tournament took place at the Osborne Park Playing Fields on Saturday 2nd March when, despite some difficult weather conditions, over 300 young players had the opportunity to enjoy themselves.
Included in the twenty schools taking park were Ballyclare High School, Ballymena Academy, Belfast Royal Academy, Campbell College, Clongowes Wood College, Coleraine Grammar School, Dalriada School, Down High School, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Grosvenor Grammar School, Larne Grammar School, Methodist College, Omagh Academy, Rainey Endowed School, Regent House School, RBAI, Royal School, Dungannon, Sullivan Upper School, Terenure College, Dublin and Wallace High School.
The tournament was organised into four groups of five with all teams having the opportunity to play in at least one more game semi-final game following their four group stage games.
Four finals were played with Campbell College winning the Cup, Ballyclare High School winning the Plate, Larne Grammar School winning the Trophy and Rainey Endowed School winning the Bowl.