Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl
On Thursday 26 February, Limavady Grammar School played Bangor Grammar School in their previously postponed semi-final game.
At the end of this well contested encounter, it was the Bangor Grammar School team which emerged as 22-17 winners.
Limavady Grammar, with team captain, Jacob Baird leading from the front, had built up a 10-0 lead with a try from Antoni Zietala, which was converted by Alexander Howe who also kicked a penalty goal.
Bangor Grammar reduced the deficit to 10-7 when Noah Lack ran in for a try which was converted by Ryan Gowdy.
Danske Bank Medallion Competitions
On Tuesday 24 February, Belfast High School and Cambridge House Grammar School played in the final of the Medallion Trophy at the Belfast Royal Academy playing fields at Roughfort.
At the end of this well contested final, it was Cambridge House who emerged as 24-14 winners.
After the final whistle, Gary Greer, Chair of the Ulster Age Grade Committee, congratulated both teams, as well as their coaches, on reaching the final, thanked the parents/guardians of all the players for their support given to the players throughout the season, thanked the referee, Ross Copeland for the way in which he controlled the game, thanked Karl Warner, Chris McCarey, and especially Anton, the Belfast Royal Academy ground man, for the use of facilities and hosting the game and thanked the Danske Bank for their continued support.
Gary then went on to present the finalist medals to all the players involved and the Medallion Trophy to James Johnston, captain of the victorious Cambridge House team.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3XV Competitions
On Wednesday, at Osbourne Park, Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4XV played the Wallace High School 3XV in the much-delayed semi-final of the 3XV Trophy.
RBAI 4XV won this game, 40-0.
On Saturday 28 February, two 3XV competition finals took place.
At Grosvenor Grammar School the final of the 3XV Cup was played when Methodist College 3XV played Campbell College 3XV.
At the end of this Cup final, it was Campbell College that celebrated a 22-12 win.
After the final whistle, Neale Wilson, a member of the Ulster Branch Committee, congratulated both teams, as well as their coaches, on reaching the final, thanked the parents/guardians of all the players for their support given to the players throughout the season, thanked the referee, Terry Cooke, for the way in which he controlled the game, thanked Mark McDowell and his ground staff, for the use of facilities and hosting the game and thanked the Danske Bank for their continued support.
Neale then went on to present the finalist medals to all the players involved and the 3XV Cup to Matthew McGonigle, captain of the victorious Campbell team.
Meanwhile at Campbell College, Sullivan Upper School 3XV and RBAI 4XV contested the final of the 3XV Trophy.
The final score read Sullivan Upper School 3XV 3 – 44 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4XV.
After the final whistle, Greg Irwin, Senior Vice President 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 given to the players throughout the season, thanked the referee, Richard Willis for the way in which he controlled the game, thanked Johnny Cupitt and the Campbell College ground staff for the use of facilities and hosting the game and thanked the Danske Bank for their continued support.
Greg then went on to present the finalist medals to all the players involved and the 3XV Trophy to Matthew Gray, captain of the victorious RBAI 4XV team.
1XV Friendlies
On Wednesday 25 February, Friends’ School Lisburn and Larne Grammar School played a 1XV friendly game which featured several Year 14 players playing their final games for their respective schools.
At the end of this high scoring game, Larne Grammar School emerged as 39-27 winners.
The Friends’ points came through tries from Scott Henderson, Paddy Arnold, Joshua Hannigan, Max Warwick and Joel Irwin.
Scott Henderson added the extras to one of the Friends’ tries.
On the back of a Player of Match performance from Nicholas Robinson, the Larne Grammar points came through tries from Ryan McDowell, Benjamin Sterling, Corbin Marsden, Will Millar and Nicholas Robinson.
Jonnie Kennedy had a fine game off the tee when he added two successful penalty kicks as well as four successful conversion kicks.
Friendlies
Looking towards next season, Friends’ School Lisburn played Regent House School in an U17 development game Friends’ School won, 19-7.
Joel Irwin, Aidan Lough and Oliver Campbell each ran in for one try for Friends’ with Will Smyth adding two successful conversion kicks.
The Friends’ squad included a number of younger players such as John Hall, Jonah Uprichard and Josiah Morrison all of whom adapted well to the demands of senior rugby.
The Regent House points came through a try from Finn McLean which was converted by Zach McMinn.
Also, looking forward to next season, Lurgan College and Portadown College played U17 Development squads when the teams met at the Lough Road venue in a game Portadown College won, 45-10.
The Portadown points came through tries from Harvey Creaney, Callum Doak, Sammy Walsh, with two, Harry Ritchie and Andrew Galloway, with two.
Charlie Rodgers was successful with five of his conversion kicks.
The Lurgan points came through two unconverted tries from the impressive Seth Martin.
Photography provided by Front Row Union Sports.