67 teams from 64 schools entered the competition and and played at six regional qualifiers. 16 sides progressed to the the next stage, which was held this week at Wellington College and Armagh RFC. Matches were played in a round robin format, with the winner of each pool progressing to the knock out stages.
Wellington College Qualifier
Pool A: Dalriada, Ballyclare HS, Grosvenor GS, Methody
Pool B: Wellington College, Victoria College (pictured above), Our Lady and St Patrick's College Knock, Antrim GS
In Group A, Ballyclare HS and Grosvenor GS finished two tries a-piece, with both teams having won their two previous games. Ballyclare HS progressed to the semis having scored a total of 10 tries to Grosvenor's nine. In Group B, Victoria College were outright winners after beating Wellington College and Our Lady and St. Pats and drawing with Antrim GS.
The semi final was played between Victoria College and Ballyclare HS and there was nothing between the two teams. The match was tied at the end of extra time so the golden try rule was introduced and after 14 minutes Phoebe Hagan touched down to seal Victoria College’s place in the final.
Armagh RFC Qualifier
Pool A: Royal School Armagh, Royal School Cavan, Kilkeel HS. St Columba's College were not able to attend.
Pool B: Enniskillen Collegiate (pictured below), Aquinas GS, Fivemiletown College, Loreto College.
Royal School Armagh finished top of Pool A after winning all their games. It went down to the last match in Pool B and Enniskillen Collegiate edged Loreto College by one try to nil to claim a clean sweep. The Fermanagh side showed their class in the final against RS Armagh, winning the match 7-1. They scored 17 tries over the course of the day and conceded just one.
