There was one Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup Preliminary Round game, several Schools' 2nd XV Cup and Plate games, and two Medallion Shield games last week.
And there were a number played of First XV friendlies games played in midweek and on Saturday.
On Monday of last week Belfast High School 2nd XV beat Rainey Endowed 2nd XV 11-5 in the Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Plate competition, while In the same competition Dromore High School had home advantage in defeating Limavady Grammar School 12-0.
And two days later there were two Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Cup games and two Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Plate games played.
In the Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Cup Dalriada and Lurgan College drew 12-12, and it was all-square between Down High School and Wallace High School who drew 3-3 in the same competition. The latter tie will be replayed on New Year’s Eve. Lurgan and Dalriada must meet again by Saturday, 9 January.
In the Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Plate Sullivan Upper defeated Larne Grammar School by 59-0, while Belfast Royal Academy 33-0 to Omagh Academy in the same competition.
In the Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Limavady GS defeated Carrickfergus GS by 31-0, and Portadown College travelled to play Foyle and Londonderry College in the same competition won 15-5.
CARRICKERGUS GS 10 – 3 STRABANE ACADEMY
Carrickfergus Grammar School emerged as narrow 10-3 winners over visitors Strabane Academy in the postponed Ulster Schools’ Cup Preliminary Round game on Wednesday last.
The game was played in very mild conditions at North Road in front of a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, and the home pack, with Aaron Stevenson to the fore, made their intentions clear early on, though resolute Academy defence held firm. Carrick suffered an early injury setback when a back-row forward left the field with a leg problem.
Replacement Andrew Maxwell soon made his presence felt though but that solid Strabane defence made sure he found no way through. Strabane then lost two players to injury and ironically then gained a foothold so it was Carrick’s turn to show its resilience.
Alex Hume, the Academy lock, caused particular problems for the home rearguard but he was successfully thwarted in a series of Strabane attacks and that ensured a scoreless first quarter.
Midway through the first half things changed when the Carrick out-half Fionn McCormack kicked cleverly behind the rushing Strabane defence, his winger Josh Boys hacked the ball and Ian Woodside gathered at pace to run in for a try in the corner.
McCormack kicked the difficult conversion for a 7-0 lead Carrick held until the interval though the advantage might have been greater if a late first-half try opportunity had not been spurned.
The second half was evenly contested affair with both defences dominating for long periods, but Strabane got some reward when Thomas O’Flaherty reduced the arrears with a-well struck penalty just ten minutes of the game remaining.
Carrickfergus progressed to the First Round of the Schools’ Cup against RS Dungannon on 9 January, a 10-3 win secured with a McCormack penalty just minutes from time in a match which might have gone either way.
Strabane Academy will enter the Schools’ Trophy competition two weeks later.
REGENT HOUSE 28 – 29 BANGOR GS
In a midweek North Down ‘derby’ game Bangor Grammar School travelled to Regent House and won a thrilling and closely-contested affair 29-28.
Regent House team took an early 7-0 lead with an Alistair Deering try, converted by Robbie Johnston. Bangor responded almost immediately when Connor McKee ran in to touch down close to the Regent posts, Zack Kerr adding the conversion to tie the game at 7-7.
Bangor GS doubled that lead when the pack provided quality possession for out-half Lewis Brett to slice through the Regent defence to run in for a fine try improved by Kerr. Regent House responded positively and just before the break Robbie Johnston ran in for a try, which he converted, to level the game at 14-14.
In the third quarter Bangor did take early control, captain Evan Willard-McMillan and Brett each scored, one of the tries converted by Kerr to put the visitors into a 26-14 ahead.
A moment of controversy saw the touch judge’s signal of a successful conversion attempt over-ruled!
Regent was undaunted at being two scores down heading into the final quarter of the game and, sensing Bangor had taken its foot off the pedal, scored two converted tries from Ryan McCarroll and Derring again, Johnston’s kicks on target for a 28-26 lead with just three minutes remaining.
Bangor threw everything at Regent which defended with intent, but in the final minute of the game Regent was penalised just inside the Bangor half. No 8, Matthew Agnew was alert, took a quick penalty but as the home defence had not retreated fully Regent was marched a further ten metres back.
With usual Bangor GS kicker Kerr off the pitch with a foot injury up stepped full- back Jamie Fulton who showed a cool head and to successfully convert the penalty which secured a hard-earned 29-28 win for Bangor in a feisty encounter.
FRIENDS’ SCHOOL 7 – 8 PORTADOWN COLLEGE
On Thursday Portadown College returned from a closely-contested affair in Lisburn with an 8-7 win at Friends’.
Friends’ started strongly to control most of the early exchanges in terms of possession and territory, but was unable to breach the Portadown defence. Having survived the early onslaught Portadown College team went on the attack. Try opportunities were scorned however, but the visitors’ pressure forced a penalty which Michael Orr converted for a 3-0 half-time lead.
Portadown started the second half where it left off, on the attack, coming close to scoring on a number of occasions but the Friends’ defence held firm, and the Lisburn school actually Indeed, it was Friends’ which scored the first try of the game when Curtis Dundas displayed great pace to touch down for a fine individual try converted by David Stewart.
Down 7-3 Portadown raised its game created the opportunity for winger Peter McKeeman to finish off a flowing move. Peter touched down for an unconverted try which gave his side the narrowest of victories.
PORTUGAL U18/19 XV 19 – 24 METHODIST COLLEGE
Methodist College finished off a successful training camp at the Brown’s Sports Complex on the Algarve with a 24-19 win over a Portugal U19/U20 Development squad.
Aaron Kilpatrick, Thomas Gallagher and Josh Jordan each scored tries, all converted by Paul Kerr.
Jonny Jordan landed a penalty to complete the scoring at the end of week in the sun which the coaches hope will be the platform for the players to perform when their campaign in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup gets underway in the New Year.
BALLYCLARE HS 5 – 28 COLERAINE GS
On Friday last the recently-styled Coleraine Grammar School travelled to Ballyclare High School and registered an emphatic 28-5 win.
Coleraine built up an 11-0 lead by the interval with a try from Ally Telfer and two penalties from Matthew Norris.
In the second half Coleraine extended its lead to 28-0 with a second try from Telfer, and further touchdowns from Christi Hamilton and Hugo Mawhinney, with Matthew Norris successful with a conversion.
In the closing stages Ballyclare High School did manage to reduce the deficit to 28-5 when Adam McConkey took advantage of a well-organised driven maul to touch down for an unconverted try, just reward for a player who performed impressively throughout the game.
Coleraine Grammar School’s success was built on the performance of the pack, with Jake King, Hugo Mawhinney and George McKeag getting through an immense amount of work.
RS ARMAGH 19 – 35 BRA
Belfast Royal Academy travelled to Royal School, Armagh, on Friday of last week and won an entertaining game 35-19.
The Royal School was short of a number of regular players but both teams put on a great display of attacking rugby. The BRA points came courtesy of tries from Jay McCrum, who scored twice, Bradley Luney, Timothy Robinson and Conor McAuley, with Michael Wilson successful with all five conversions.
Christopher Jennings scored two tries for Armagh team, Peter Wilson touching down for another. Ian Hamilton added two conversions.
LARNE GS 17 – 19 BELFAST MET.
Larne Grammar School entertained Belfast Metropolitan College which ran out 19-17 winners of a closely-contested game.
John Hyndman, Aaron Wilson and Micah Stevenson all scored tries for the Larne Grammar, with Barry McFaul kicking one conversion.
With a view to important games in January the injuries suffered by several Larne players could well impact on the school’s preparation for the forthcoming Schools’ Cup campaign.
BALLYMENA ACADEMY 42 – 10 DOWN HS
On Saturday depleted sides from Ballymena Academy and Down High School met, the Academy impressive winners by 42-10.
Played on a very windy, but dry, morning at Galgorm Road the home team showed several changes but welcomed Andrew Hogg and Josh McAuley to the pack for their first starts of the season.
Ballymena opened the scoring when a quickly-tapped free-kick was moved to Jonathan McKeown who found a gap to score below the posts, Bruce Houston adding the conversion for an early 7-0 lead.
Five minutes later McKeown broke through again and off-loaded to winger Conor Cosgrove who finished between the sticks for another straightforward conversion for Houston to make it 14-0.
Down High then enjoyed an extended period where it dominated territory and possession, and a Ballymena infringement at the breakdown allowed Charley Power to reduce the deficit to 14-3 with a penalty.
Moments later Academy failed to clear its lines and, from a five-metre scrum, Zac Ward showed great strength and determination to muscle over for a try, Paddy Browne successful with the conversion.
Just three points ahead now Ballymena Academy did have the last say before the interval when strong runs from Alexander Clarke and Angus Kernohan, allowed Michael Stronge an easy touchdown, Houston added the ‘extras’ to give his team a 21-10 lead at the break.
Down High lost a number of key players to bumps and bruises at half-time, skipper Ward, William Martin, Clayton Milligan and Browne unable to resume.
The second half was a ‘stop-start’ affair with Down High suffering several more injuries and Ballymena Academy also making changes. But the Academy scored early in the second period when Jonathan McKeown rampaged over from close range, Houston’s conversion making the scoreline 28 – 10.
Ballymena scored two more tries, both excellent individual finishes, when Ryan McKee and Alan Small showed their pace from long range, and Houston slotted both conversions to complete the 42-10 win.
Despite the heavy injury toll Down High School players displayed admirable commitment and determination throughout but the Ballymena Academy players thoroughly merited this convincing success.
OMAGH ACADEMY 5 – 5 PORTORA RS
Omagh Academy 1st XV returned to action after several matches fell victim to the weather, Portora Royal School the opposition at a blustery Campsie as the sides played out a 5-5 draw.
Academy started the stronger, the strong wind allowing Danny Ritchie and Kyle Beattie to kick well for position and launch attacks from inside the Portora ‘22’. Omagh was rewarded with two early penalty chances but Kyle Beattie was just off target with both because of the elements.
Portora grew into the game and enjoyed some possession, earning a penalty within range, but again the wind swept the ball wide of the target.
As the match headed towards a scoreless first half Portora broke the stalemate, home ill-discipline winning position deep in the Omagh ‘22’. The resultant lineout, the last play of the half, was won and driven over the line for the Portora hooker to score an unconverted try for a 5-0 half-time lead.
Academy began the second half in determined mood, winger Taine Lagan retaining Kyle Beattie’s restart kick and coming close to scoring with a superb line break before being bundled into touch.
Both teams had periods of possession but errors, as well as continued ill- discipline at the breakdown, limited any clearcut scoring opportunities. Midway through the second half the Omagh welcomed back flanker Jonny Anderson after a long lay-off, his return clearly ‘lifting’ his team-mates.
Jonny, along with other forward replacements Glenn McKinley and Timmy McKeown, added to the physicality which saw the home side regain control of the ball and eventually win a lineout near the visitors’ line. A trademark catch and drive ended with captain Matthew Clyde guiding the ball over the Portora line for an unconverted try.
The home side came close to snatching victory, setting up camp in the Portora ‘22’ in the final five minutes of the game. But Portora’s defence stoically held out for a 5-5 draw, the scoreline a fair reflection off the game.
SULLIVAN UPPER 17 – 28 RAINEY ENDOWED
Both sides were missing a number of key players as Rainey Endowed School ran out 28-17 winners at Sullivan Upper.
At the end of a closely-contested first half the Rainey had built a 7-3 lead, and that despite losing two players due to a clash of heads. The visitors went 7-0 up when Lorcan Quinn touched down for a try which he converted.
Sullivan Upper team then made good use of the strong wind and pressure on the Rainey defence yielded a penalty which Rory Kilpatrick slotted to reduce the deficit to 7-3, the score at half-time.
Sullivan stunned Rainey in the early stages of the second, Chris Jordan displaying great pace and panache to run in for a try which Rory Kilpatrick converted for a 10-7 lead.
Rainey responded immediately and Anton Lugar scored a try, which Quinn converted, to ease the visitors 14-10 in front.
Then Cameron Stewart intercepted and finished off with a try under the posts, Quinn converting to put the Magherafelt school 21-10 ahead.
Rainey stayed in attack mode and Lupari touched down again, Quinn converting again.
Sullivan remained true to its attacking instincts, and this paid off when Luke Coulter scored a try which Rory Kilpatrick converted, reducing the deficit to 28-17.
In the final few minutes Sullivan team attacked persistently, but Rainey held on to celebrate a finer 28-17 victory.
RBAI 5 – 6 WALLACE HS
The game with the ‘Match of the Day’ tag took place at Osborne Park when Wallace High School emerged 6-5 winners against the Royal Belfast Academical Institution in an eagerly-anticipated re-run of last season’s Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup final.
Belfast ‘Inst’ team had opportunities to score tries in the first half but the Wallace HS defence was in top, unyielding form until, at last, James Hume broke through, following a set play, to touch down for an unconverted try and 5-0 lead.
Wallace responded in positive fashion, and pressure on the Belfast ‘Inst’ defence saw the home team concede a penalty which Jonny Stewart stepped up to convert and reduce the deficit to 5-3 at the half-time break.
Further pressure from the Lisburn forced the ‘Inst’ to concede another penalty in the opening exchanges of the second half. Again Stewart confidently struck through the posts for a 6-5 lead.
The windy conditions caused problems for both teams, but it was Wallace which was under pressure in the final quarter of the game. The RBAI pack, with Callum Reid, Neil Saulters and Charlie Fryers to the fore, launched wave after wave of thrusts at the visitors’ line.
But Wallace was resolute and the final whistle sounded to signal a famous 6-5 win over old rivals.
And there were a number played of First XV friendlies games played in midweek and on Saturday.
On Monday of last week Belfast High School 2nd XV beat Rainey Endowed 2nd XV 11-5 in the Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Plate competition, while In the same competition Dromore High School had home advantage in defeating Limavady Grammar School 12-0.
And two days later there were two Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Cup games and two Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Plate games played.
In the Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Cup Dalriada and Lurgan College drew 12-12, and it was all-square between Down High School and Wallace High School who drew 3-3 in the same competition. The latter tie will be replayed on New Year’s Eve. Lurgan and Dalriada must meet again by Saturday, 9 January.
In the Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Plate Sullivan Upper defeated Larne Grammar School by 59-0, while Belfast Royal Academy 33-0 to Omagh Academy in the same competition.
In the Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Limavady GS defeated Carrickfergus GS by 31-0, and Portadown College travelled to play Foyle and Londonderry College in the same competition won 15-5.
CARRICKERGUS GS 10 – 3 STRABANE ACADEMY
Carrickfergus Grammar School emerged as narrow 10-3 winners over visitors Strabane Academy in the postponed Ulster Schools’ Cup Preliminary Round game on Wednesday last.
The game was played in very mild conditions at North Road in front of a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, and the home pack, with Aaron Stevenson to the fore, made their intentions clear early on, though resolute Academy defence held firm. Carrick suffered an early injury setback when a back-row forward left the field with a leg problem.
Replacement Andrew Maxwell soon made his presence felt though but that solid Strabane defence made sure he found no way through. Strabane then lost two players to injury and ironically then gained a foothold so it was Carrick’s turn to show its resilience.
Alex Hume, the Academy lock, caused particular problems for the home rearguard but he was successfully thwarted in a series of Strabane attacks and that ensured a scoreless first quarter.
Midway through the first half things changed when the Carrick out-half Fionn McCormack kicked cleverly behind the rushing Strabane defence, his winger Josh Boys hacked the ball and Ian Woodside gathered at pace to run in for a try in the corner.
McCormack kicked the difficult conversion for a 7-0 lead Carrick held until the interval though the advantage might have been greater if a late first-half try opportunity had not been spurned.
The second half was evenly contested affair with both defences dominating for long periods, but Strabane got some reward when Thomas O’Flaherty reduced the arrears with a-well struck penalty just ten minutes of the game remaining.
Carrickfergus progressed to the First Round of the Schools’ Cup against RS Dungannon on 9 January, a 10-3 win secured with a McCormack penalty just minutes from time in a match which might have gone either way.
Strabane Academy will enter the Schools’ Trophy competition two weeks later.
REGENT HOUSE 28 – 29 BANGOR GS
In a midweek North Down ‘derby’ game Bangor Grammar School travelled to Regent House and won a thrilling and closely-contested affair 29-28.
Regent House team took an early 7-0 lead with an Alistair Deering try, converted by Robbie Johnston. Bangor responded almost immediately when Connor McKee ran in to touch down close to the Regent posts, Zack Kerr adding the conversion to tie the game at 7-7.
Bangor GS doubled that lead when the pack provided quality possession for out-half Lewis Brett to slice through the Regent defence to run in for a fine try improved by Kerr. Regent House responded positively and just before the break Robbie Johnston ran in for a try, which he converted, to level the game at 14-14.
In the third quarter Bangor did take early control, captain Evan Willard-McMillan and Brett each scored, one of the tries converted by Kerr to put the visitors into a 26-14 ahead.
A moment of controversy saw the touch judge’s signal of a successful conversion attempt over-ruled!
Regent was undaunted at being two scores down heading into the final quarter of the game and, sensing Bangor had taken its foot off the pedal, scored two converted tries from Ryan McCarroll and Derring again, Johnston’s kicks on target for a 28-26 lead with just three minutes remaining.
Bangor threw everything at Regent which defended with intent, but in the final minute of the game Regent was penalised just inside the Bangor half. No 8, Matthew Agnew was alert, took a quick penalty but as the home defence had not retreated fully Regent was marched a further ten metres back.
With usual Bangor GS kicker Kerr off the pitch with a foot injury up stepped full- back Jamie Fulton who showed a cool head and to successfully convert the penalty which secured a hard-earned 29-28 win for Bangor in a feisty encounter.
FRIENDS’ SCHOOL 7 – 8 PORTADOWN COLLEGE
On Thursday Portadown College returned from a closely-contested affair in Lisburn with an 8-7 win at Friends’.
Friends’ started strongly to control most of the early exchanges in terms of possession and territory, but was unable to breach the Portadown defence. Having survived the early onslaught Portadown College team went on the attack. Try opportunities were scorned however, but the visitors’ pressure forced a penalty which Michael Orr converted for a 3-0 half-time lead.
Portadown started the second half where it left off, on the attack, coming close to scoring on a number of occasions but the Friends’ defence held firm, and the Lisburn school actually Indeed, it was Friends’ which scored the first try of the game when Curtis Dundas displayed great pace to touch down for a fine individual try converted by David Stewart.
Down 7-3 Portadown raised its game created the opportunity for winger Peter McKeeman to finish off a flowing move. Peter touched down for an unconverted try which gave his side the narrowest of victories.
PORTUGAL U18/19 XV 19 – 24 METHODIST COLLEGE
Methodist College finished off a successful training camp at the Brown’s Sports Complex on the Algarve with a 24-19 win over a Portugal U19/U20 Development squad.
Aaron Kilpatrick, Thomas Gallagher and Josh Jordan each scored tries, all converted by Paul Kerr.
Jonny Jordan landed a penalty to complete the scoring at the end of week in the sun which the coaches hope will be the platform for the players to perform when their campaign in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup gets underway in the New Year.
BALLYCLARE HS 5 – 28 COLERAINE GS
On Friday last the recently-styled Coleraine Grammar School travelled to Ballyclare High School and registered an emphatic 28-5 win.
Coleraine built up an 11-0 lead by the interval with a try from Ally Telfer and two penalties from Matthew Norris.
In the second half Coleraine extended its lead to 28-0 with a second try from Telfer, and further touchdowns from Christi Hamilton and Hugo Mawhinney, with Matthew Norris successful with a conversion.
In the closing stages Ballyclare High School did manage to reduce the deficit to 28-5 when Adam McConkey took advantage of a well-organised driven maul to touch down for an unconverted try, just reward for a player who performed impressively throughout the game.
Coleraine Grammar School’s success was built on the performance of the pack, with Jake King, Hugo Mawhinney and George McKeag getting through an immense amount of work.
RS ARMAGH 19 – 35 BRA
Belfast Royal Academy travelled to Royal School, Armagh, on Friday of last week and won an entertaining game 35-19.
The Royal School was short of a number of regular players but both teams put on a great display of attacking rugby. The BRA points came courtesy of tries from Jay McCrum, who scored twice, Bradley Luney, Timothy Robinson and Conor McAuley, with Michael Wilson successful with all five conversions.
Christopher Jennings scored two tries for Armagh team, Peter Wilson touching down for another. Ian Hamilton added two conversions.
LARNE GS 17 – 19 BELFAST MET.
Larne Grammar School entertained Belfast Metropolitan College which ran out 19-17 winners of a closely-contested game.
John Hyndman, Aaron Wilson and Micah Stevenson all scored tries for the Larne Grammar, with Barry McFaul kicking one conversion.
With a view to important games in January the injuries suffered by several Larne players could well impact on the school’s preparation for the forthcoming Schools’ Cup campaign.
BALLYMENA ACADEMY 42 – 10 DOWN HS
On Saturday depleted sides from Ballymena Academy and Down High School met, the Academy impressive winners by 42-10.
Played on a very windy, but dry, morning at Galgorm Road the home team showed several changes but welcomed Andrew Hogg and Josh McAuley to the pack for their first starts of the season.
Ballymena opened the scoring when a quickly-tapped free-kick was moved to Jonathan McKeown who found a gap to score below the posts, Bruce Houston adding the conversion for an early 7-0 lead.
Five minutes later McKeown broke through again and off-loaded to winger Conor Cosgrove who finished between the sticks for another straightforward conversion for Houston to make it 14-0.
Down High then enjoyed an extended period where it dominated territory and possession, and a Ballymena infringement at the breakdown allowed Charley Power to reduce the deficit to 14-3 with a penalty.
Moments later Academy failed to clear its lines and, from a five-metre scrum, Zac Ward showed great strength and determination to muscle over for a try, Paddy Browne successful with the conversion.
Just three points ahead now Ballymena Academy did have the last say before the interval when strong runs from Alexander Clarke and Angus Kernohan, allowed Michael Stronge an easy touchdown, Houston added the ‘extras’ to give his team a 21-10 lead at the break.
Down High lost a number of key players to bumps and bruises at half-time, skipper Ward, William Martin, Clayton Milligan and Browne unable to resume.
The second half was a ‘stop-start’ affair with Down High suffering several more injuries and Ballymena Academy also making changes. But the Academy scored early in the second period when Jonathan McKeown rampaged over from close range, Houston’s conversion making the scoreline 28 – 10.
Ballymena scored two more tries, both excellent individual finishes, when Ryan McKee and Alan Small showed their pace from long range, and Houston slotted both conversions to complete the 42-10 win.
Despite the heavy injury toll Down High School players displayed admirable commitment and determination throughout but the Ballymena Academy players thoroughly merited this convincing success.
OMAGH ACADEMY 5 – 5 PORTORA RS
Omagh Academy 1st XV returned to action after several matches fell victim to the weather, Portora Royal School the opposition at a blustery Campsie as the sides played out a 5-5 draw.
Academy started the stronger, the strong wind allowing Danny Ritchie and Kyle Beattie to kick well for position and launch attacks from inside the Portora ‘22’. Omagh was rewarded with two early penalty chances but Kyle Beattie was just off target with both because of the elements.
Portora grew into the game and enjoyed some possession, earning a penalty within range, but again the wind swept the ball wide of the target.
As the match headed towards a scoreless first half Portora broke the stalemate, home ill-discipline winning position deep in the Omagh ‘22’. The resultant lineout, the last play of the half, was won and driven over the line for the Portora hooker to score an unconverted try for a 5-0 half-time lead.
Academy began the second half in determined mood, winger Taine Lagan retaining Kyle Beattie’s restart kick and coming close to scoring with a superb line break before being bundled into touch.
Both teams had periods of possession but errors, as well as continued ill- discipline at the breakdown, limited any clearcut scoring opportunities. Midway through the second half the Omagh welcomed back flanker Jonny Anderson after a long lay-off, his return clearly ‘lifting’ his team-mates.
Jonny, along with other forward replacements Glenn McKinley and Timmy McKeown, added to the physicality which saw the home side regain control of the ball and eventually win a lineout near the visitors’ line. A trademark catch and drive ended with captain Matthew Clyde guiding the ball over the Portora line for an unconverted try.
The home side came close to snatching victory, setting up camp in the Portora ‘22’ in the final five minutes of the game. But Portora’s defence stoically held out for a 5-5 draw, the scoreline a fair reflection off the game.
SULLIVAN UPPER 17 – 28 RAINEY ENDOWED
Both sides were missing a number of key players as Rainey Endowed School ran out 28-17 winners at Sullivan Upper.
At the end of a closely-contested first half the Rainey had built a 7-3 lead, and that despite losing two players due to a clash of heads. The visitors went 7-0 up when Lorcan Quinn touched down for a try which he converted.
Sullivan Upper team then made good use of the strong wind and pressure on the Rainey defence yielded a penalty which Rory Kilpatrick slotted to reduce the deficit to 7-3, the score at half-time.
Sullivan stunned Rainey in the early stages of the second, Chris Jordan displaying great pace and panache to run in for a try which Rory Kilpatrick converted for a 10-7 lead.
Rainey responded immediately and Anton Lugar scored a try, which Quinn converted, to ease the visitors 14-10 in front.
Then Cameron Stewart intercepted and finished off with a try under the posts, Quinn converting to put the Magherafelt school 21-10 ahead.
Rainey stayed in attack mode and Lupari touched down again, Quinn converting again.
Sullivan remained true to its attacking instincts, and this paid off when Luke Coulter scored a try which Rory Kilpatrick converted, reducing the deficit to 28-17.
In the final few minutes Sullivan team attacked persistently, but Rainey held on to celebrate a finer 28-17 victory.
RBAI 5 – 6 WALLACE HS
The game with the ‘Match of the Day’ tag took place at Osborne Park when Wallace High School emerged 6-5 winners against the Royal Belfast Academical Institution in an eagerly-anticipated re-run of last season’s Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup final.
Belfast ‘Inst’ team had opportunities to score tries in the first half but the Wallace HS defence was in top, unyielding form until, at last, James Hume broke through, following a set play, to touch down for an unconverted try and 5-0 lead.
Wallace responded in positive fashion, and pressure on the Belfast ‘Inst’ defence saw the home team concede a penalty which Jonny Stewart stepped up to convert and reduce the deficit to 5-3 at the half-time break.
Further pressure from the Lisburn forced the ‘Inst’ to concede another penalty in the opening exchanges of the second half. Again Stewart confidently struck through the posts for a 6-5 lead.
The windy conditions caused problems for both teams, but it was Wallace which was under pressure in the final quarter of the game. The RBAI pack, with Callum Reid, Neil Saulters and Charlie Fryers to the fore, launched wave after wave of thrusts at the visitors’ line.
But Wallace was resolute and the final whistle sounded to signal a famous 6-5 win over old rivals.