Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup
On Wednesday 24 September, the first of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup games got underway when Carrickfergus Grammar School hosted Strabane Academy in a qualifier game at the North Road venue.
At the end of this highly entertaining game, Carrickfergus Grammar emerged as 38-21 winners.
Carrickfergus Grammar, with players such as Max Matuszewski, Joshua Oluwatula, Alex McAllister and Toby Keating to the fore, scored five tries with Alex McAllister running in for a brace and Harvey Payne, Max Matuszewski and Oliver Hill each touching down for one try.
Alex capped a finer personal performance with five successful penalty kicks as well as one penalty goal.
Strabane Academy, with players such as Alex Gamble and Robert Btrne impressing, brought a lot to the game with their committed display.
Johnny Orr touched down for a brace of tries with Rhys Maxwell running in for a third try.
Johnny added the extras to two of the Strabane Academy tries with Hayden Snodgrass converting a third Strabane Academy try.
The winners of this fixture will now play away to Cambridge House Grammar School in a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group Stage Qualifier game on/before Saturday 4 October.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup
Three games were played on Wednesday 24 September.
In Section A, Ballymena Academy played Belfast Royal Academy and won the game by 38-7.
In the same section, Sullivan Upper School played Ballyclare High School and recorded a 25-18 victory.
In Section B, Wallace High School hosted Campbell College in a game the Campbell College team won by 26-8.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Shield competition, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School played Royal School Armagh in a game Royal School Armagh won by 22-14.
Meanwhile, in the same competition, Regent House School played Dalriada School and won the game by 45-5.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Plate
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Plate competition, Limavady Grammar School was due to have hosted Bangor Academy in a game that ended as a walkover for Limavady Grammar School.
On Saturday 27 September, Belfast High School hosted Portadown College in their U16 Plate game which finished up as a 15-15 draw.
1XV Friendlies
Sullivan Upper School and Bangor Grammar School played a 1XV friendly game which the Sullivan Upper team won by 42-7.
The Sullivan Upper School points came through tries from Jacob McKeown, with two, Finn McGrath, with two and Stephen Lyons and Ross Alderdice with one try apiece.
Henry Calvert had an excellent afternoon off the tee when he added six successful conversion kicks.
Cal Banyard scored the Bangor Grammar School try to which Ryan Gowdy added the successful conversion kick.
Meanwhile, at the Barban Hill venue, Dromore High School entertained Friends’ School Lisburn in a game Friends’ won by 40-17.
The Dromore High School points came through tries from Jonny Beckett, Aaron Bell and Rob Russell.
Alfie Clarke added the extras to one of the Dromore High School tries.
The Friends’ team had a hattrick try scoring hero in Joel Irwin with Max Warwick, Scott Henderson and Daniel Ball touching down for one try each.
Ross Glover added five successful conversion kicks.
On Friday 26 September, Ballymena Academy played Enniskillen Royal Grammar School under the lights at Eaton Park where the home team recorded a well-deserved victory.
Players such as James McMillan, Jacob Casson, Ollie Shaw, Joshua Patterson, Charlie Hargy, Zak Topping and George Gamble stood out with their performances for the Ballymena Academy team.
Both teams, their coaches and supporters would like to thank Ballymena Rugby Club for the use of facilities and hosting the game.
On the same afternoon, Larne Grammar School hosted an extended Ballyclare High School squad in a game Larne Grammar won by 34-31.
Larne Grammar scored four tries through Benjamin Sterling, Elliott Bagshaw, Corbin Marsden and Jonnie Kennedy.
Jonnie capped a fine personal performance when he added the extras to all four tries as well as kicking two successful penalty goals.
The Ballyclare High School team scored five tries during the game.
Josh McColgan ran in for two tries with Josh Tweed, Luke Beattie and Zach Thompson touching down for one try each.
Jude Semple added three successful conversion kicks for Ballyclare.
Quite a few games were played on Saturday 27 September.
Cambridge House Grammar School was scheduled to have played Dalriada School but the game was cancelled.
Campbell College played Wallace High School in a high scoring game the Campbell College team won by 49-14.
Harry Wells, with two, Zach Thompson, Dylan Armstrong, Leo Graham, Dante Noel Simmons and Ruairi Parks were the Campbell try scorers.
Jack Best has a very successful morning off the tee when he hit all seven of his conversion kicks.
Wallace scored two tries through Adam Crone and Thomas Moore with James Curran adding the extras to both tries.
Foyle College played Rainey Endowed School in a game the Rainey team won by 38-24.
Cian O’Leary and Tom O’Neill each scored two tries for Foyle, with Niall Kelly adding two successful conversion kicks.
Rainey scored five tries through Adrian Martin, Christy McDonnell, Luke Caskey, Max Allen and Lorcan McLarnon.
Adrian Martin converted four of the tries and also converted one penalty kick.
The remaining Rainey points came from one Christy McDonnell conversion.
Lurgan College hosted Antrim Grammar School in a game Antrim Grammar, on the back of good performances from players such as Jonah Woolley, Alex Moss, Calum Lavery and Daniel Blair, won by 28-7.
Photography provided by Front Row Union Sports