In lovely sunshine at the Mid-Ulster Sports Arena Cookstown, the penultimate weekend of the Ulster Youth calendar saw four finals played off.
Ulster Carpets U16 Plate Final:
Rainey OB 33-12 Ballyclare
The opening game of the day was the U16 Plate final, contested by Ballyclare and Rainey. Ballyclare had the early possession and territory, and got off the mark with the first try of the game. In run up to half time Rainey gained the lead with a converted try, and followed that with an unconverted try. After the break Ballyclare scored a converted try of their own but Rainey were more efficient in opposition territory and pulled away to record a 33-12 win.
Ulster Carpets U14 Plate Final:
Ballynahinch 32-7 Letterkenny
The second game saw Ballynahinch taking on Letterkenny in the U14 Plate Final. The two teams matched each other in the opening stages with a converted try each, before ‘Hinch added another converted try to take the half-time lead. The second half saw Letterkenny's hopes slowly slip away as Ballynahinch edged their way to a 32-7 victory.
Ulster Carpets U16 Bowl Final:
Ballymena 19-14 Letterkenny
Letterkenny also featured in the third game, where their opponents this time were Ballymena in the U16 Bowl Final. This proved to be a very close affair, and whilst Letterkenny had plenty of possession, Ballymena managed to stave off wave after wave of attack. With Ballymena holding a ponderous 19-14 lead as the game approached the final stages, Letterkenny continued to pile on the forward pressure but the Ballymena defence stayed resolute and held on for the win.
Pictured is Ballymena’s James Fullerton receiving the U16 Bowl from Mr Paul Hart, Chairman of the Ulster Branch Youth Committee.
Ulster Carpets U18 Plate Final:
Ballymena 15-5 Newry
The 'headliner' game of the afternoon was the U18 Mildred Holland Plate Final between Ballymena, in their second appearance of the day, and Newry, who won the Plate last year.
The game was a fitting end to the day, as it played out a keenly contested, entertaining final. Ballymena opened their account with a try after five minutes, with Newry equalising just before half-time. With it all to play for in the second half, it was Ballymena who got the next score of the game on 20 minutes, before adding another 10 minutes later to seal the win.
Ulster Carpets U16 Plate Final:
Rainey OB 33-12 Ballyclare
The opening game of the day was the U16 Plate final, contested by Ballyclare and Rainey. Ballyclare had the early possession and territory, and got off the mark with the first try of the game. In run up to half time Rainey gained the lead with a converted try, and followed that with an unconverted try. After the break Ballyclare scored a converted try of their own but Rainey were more efficient in opposition territory and pulled away to record a 33-12 win.
Ulster Carpets U14 Plate Final:
Ballynahinch 32-7 Letterkenny
The second game saw Ballynahinch taking on Letterkenny in the U14 Plate Final. The two teams matched each other in the opening stages with a converted try each, before ‘Hinch added another converted try to take the half-time lead. The second half saw Letterkenny's hopes slowly slip away as Ballynahinch edged their way to a 32-7 victory.
Ulster Carpets U16 Bowl Final:
Ballymena 19-14 Letterkenny
Letterkenny also featured in the third game, where their opponents this time were Ballymena in the U16 Bowl Final. This proved to be a very close affair, and whilst Letterkenny had plenty of possession, Ballymena managed to stave off wave after wave of attack. With Ballymena holding a ponderous 19-14 lead as the game approached the final stages, Letterkenny continued to pile on the forward pressure but the Ballymena defence stayed resolute and held on for the win.
Pictured is Ballymena’s James Fullerton receiving the U16 Bowl from Mr Paul Hart, Chairman of the Ulster Branch Youth Committee.
Ulster Carpets U18 Plate Final:
Ballymena 15-5 Newry
The 'headliner' game of the afternoon was the U18 Mildred Holland Plate Final between Ballymena, in their second appearance of the day, and Newry, who won the Plate last year.
The game was a fitting end to the day, as it played out a keenly contested, entertaining final. Ballymena opened their account with a try after five minutes, with Newry equalising just before half-time. With it all to play for in the second half, it was Ballymena who got the next score of the game on 20 minutes, before adding another 10 minutes later to seal the win.