Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate
The last of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ finals played outside of the Affidea Stadium took place at Carrickfergus Grammar School on Friday 13th March, when Ballymena Academy and Campbell College, Belfast, met in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate.
At the end of this exciting final, the score was Ballymena Academy 15, Campbell College, Belfast 24.
After the final whistle, John Wilson, a member of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, congratulated both teams, as well as their coaches, on reaching the final; thanked the parents/guardians of all the players for their support throughout the season; thanked the referee, Neil Stewart, for the way in which he controlled the game; thanked Neal Kennedy and the Carrickfergus Grammar School ground staff for the use of facilities and for hosting the game; and thanked Danske Bank for their continued support, now in its 21st season, of all the Ulster Schools’ competitions.
John then went on to present the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate finalist medals to all the players involved and the trophy to Tom Osborne, captain of the Campbell College, Belfast Medallion team.
U17 Blitz Tournament
On Saturday 14th March, Larne Grammar School hosted Antrim Grammar School and Cambridge House Grammar School in a U17 Blitz Tournament, which saw over 120 players getting a run-out.
For Antrim Grammar School, players such as Daniel Blair, Jonah Woolley, Rio McKee, Cameron Molyneaux and Calum Lavery impressed with their performances.
For Cambridge House Grammar School, players such as Tim Sittlington, James Johnston, David Theodorescu, Jack Irwin, James Frew, Cody Bamber, Ronan Carr, Rylie Gamble and Ollie Warwick all got on the scoresheet in the course of the morning.
For Larne Grammar School, players such as Matthew Crawford, Benjamin Sterling, Jamie Jones, Jonnie Kennedy, Charlie Stewart, Daniel McMullan, Mark Date, Ben Ledlie, William McIlwaine, Ethan Warwick and Otis McKee displayed great skills and commitment in all the games played.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final
Tuesday 17th March saw a capacity crowd attend the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Final, the blue riband event of the Ulster Schools’ season, at the Affidea Stadium, when Campbell College, Belfast, played Royal Belfast Academical Institution in an enthralling game of schoolboy rugby.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution took a 19–12 lead into the break before Campbell College, Belfast, emerged as 26–22 winners with a last-play goal.
James Wells opened the scoring for Campbell College, Belfast, with an early unconverted try to give his team a 5–0 lead.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution responded instantly when Adam Millar nipped in for an unconverted try to level the score at 5–5.
Five minutes later, Campbell College, Belfast, regained the lead when David Nelson beavered his way over the whitewash to touch down for a try.
Jack Best added the extras to put Campbell College, Belfast, 12–5 ahead.
Back came Royal Belfast Academical Institution with a try from Cian McClean, converted by Charlie O’Connor, to level the score at 12–12.
Ten minutes before the break, Cian McClean burst through once again to score his second try of the game.
Another Charlie O’Connor conversion gave Royal Belfast Academical Institution a 19–12 lead, which they held until the interval.
Early in the second half, Harry Wells joined his brother on the Campbell College, Belfast, scoresheet when he ran in for a try, again converted by Jack Best, to level the score at 19–19.
Heading into the final quarter, Royal Belfast Academical Institution regained the lead when a Charlie O’Connor penalty made it 22–19.
With the final action of this seesaw game, Campbell College, Belfast, laid siege to the Royal Belfast Academical Institution line. Eventually, David Nelson got his hands on the ball and scrambled over for the match-winning try.
The reliable boot of Jack Best converted the try, ensuring the final score read Campbell College, Belfast 26, Royal Belfast Academical Institution 22.
After the final whistle, Paul Hart, President of the Ulster Branch, IRFU, congratulated both teams and their coaches; thanked the parents/guardians; thanked the referee, Keane Davidson, and his assistants Ross Whitfield and Colin Stanley; thanked the staff at Ulster Rugby for hosting the game; and thanked Danske Bank for their continued support.
Paul, along with Danske Bank CEO Vicky Davies, then presented the finalist medals and the Cup to Paul Henry, captain of the Campbell College, Belfast team.
Development XV
On Wednesday 18th March, Coleraine Grammar School played a Development XV against St Andrew’s College, Dublin.
This gave the Coleraine Grammar School coaching staff the opportunity to use an extended squad to assess players against quality opposition.
Players such as Cody Moffatt, Noah Beggs, Charlie Millar, Jamie Watson, Joshua Chambers and, especially, Austin Henry impressed in the Coleraine Grammar School pack.
This laid the foundation for the Coleraine backline, where Ben Todd, Reuben Nicholl, Joe Coates, Luke McMillan and Feidhlim Penfold asked many questions of the St Andrew’s College defence.
Down High School hosted a recent U12 Blitz tournament with 12 schools taking part in an exciting morning of rugby.
At the end of the tournament, Sullivan Upper School won the Shield, Royal School, Armagh won the Bowl, and Banbridge Academy won the Trophy.
Thanks go to Josh Pentland, his Down High School colleagues and pupils for organising such an enjoyable morning of U12 rugby.
U14 Sevens Tournament
On Thursday 19th March, Coleraine Grammar School hosted 16 teams in a U14 Sevens tournament.
Each team played three group-stage games before progressing into Cup, Plate, Shield and Bowl play-offs.
The final results were: Coleraine Grammar School 12–10 Wallace High School (Cup), Ballymena Academy 28–26 Foyle and Londonderry College (Plate), Banbridge Academy 33–14 Antrim Grammar School (Shield), and Sullivan Upper School 26–19 Cambridge House Grammar School (Bowl).
The event was hosted by Kieran Campbell of Coleraine Grammar School, a former international sevens player, and organised by the Ulster Rugby Development team with a specific shout out to Pete Wilson.
Everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed the day of exciting U14 Sevens rugby.
U13 Blitz Tournament
On Saturday 21st March, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School hosted a U13 Blitz Tournament, organised by Ashley Finlay and his colleagues and sponsored by the Greentown Company.
Over 270 players from 12 teams participated, with each team playing three group-stage games before progressing into Shield and Plate play-offs.
In the final placings, Sullivan Upper School defeated Enniskillen Royal Grammar School to win the Shield, while Bangor Grammar School defeated Omagh Academy to win the Plate.
Ulster Schools’ Medallion Sevens
Meanwhile, at Campbell College, Belfast, the annual Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Sevens took place with 20 teams participating.
At the end of a splendid morning’s competition, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School won the Bowl, Larne Grammar School won the Plate, and Sullivan Upper School won the HJ McKinney Cup.
The event was organised by Johnny Cupitt, Ritchie McMaster and Richard Boyd, assisted by many of their colleagues and pupils.
The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Senior Sevens Tournament will take place at Queen’s University RFC on Friday 20th March, with one of the longest-running sponsored U14 rugby events, the O’Kane U14 Cup, taking place at Ballymena Academy on Saturday 28th March.