The Christmas holiday didn't mean a prolonged break for Schools' rugby with important Cup action awaiting this Saturday, so every opportunity was taken to prepare for the New Year competitions.
And several Ulster Schools’ players were selected to attend the Ireland Under 18 training camp which took place at Ashbourne RFC during the holiday. They were RBAI’s Callum Reid and James Hume, Ballymena Academy’s Alexander Clarke and Mark Thompson, Campbell College’s Tom O’Toole and Matthew Crowther, BRA’s Matthew Dalton, while Jonny Stewart of Wallace High School, Callum Smith of Coleraine Grammar and Kyle Van Gleisen from Regent House completed the contingent.
FOYLE & LONDONDERRY COLLEGE 36 - 0 CITY OF DERRY U18s
On Boxing Day Foyle and Londonderry College 1st XV played its annual fixture against the City of Derry RFC U18 team at Judge’s Road, running out emphatic 36-0 winners.
A number of players were unavailable so the Foyle College coaches took the opportunity to give game time to members of the extended squad. Foyle took an early 7-0 lead when good work from scrum half Killene Thornton brought a penalty try, converted by Matthew Orr.
The College continued to exert control and from a well-controlled scrum the ball was swiftly moved to winger Stephen Mills who finished off the move with an unconverted try and a 12-0 lead.
Orr then converted a penalty, and just before half-time Foyle College scored its third try of the game, the backline’s well-worked move in midfield finished by Orr, whose conversion made it 22-0 lead at the interval.
The second half saw Foyle continue to dominate the game both in terms of territory and possession. Out-half Conal Gill chipped over the City of Derry defence, he reclaimed the ball and ran in to touch down for a fourth try, Orr adding the conversion for a 29-0 lead.
The gutsy U18 team showed resilience throughout, but a promising attack was cruelly ended when a loose pass was intercepted by Stephen Mills who ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts, Conal Gill converting the try to complete a 36-0 win for Foyle and Londonderry College.
At the same venue, on the same day, Foyle and Londonderry College’s Medallion XV beat City of Derry’s U16 side 19-10, Jake Quinnell, Ben Galbraith and Lewis Callen each scoring a try, and Keelin Coyle adding two conversions.
And Foyle’s U14 made it a College ‘treble’ with a 25-5 win over the City of Derry RFC U14s. Jacob McDermott scored two tries for Foyle College, Eligin Matthews, Jordan Dixon and Adam Moore each touching down once.
BANGOR GS 3 - 12 RBAI
On Monday, 28 December, Bangor Grammar School entertained Royal Belfast Academical Institution in very blustery conditions, ‘Inst’ emerging 12-3 winners of a fiercely-contested affair.
Belfast ‘Inst’ team was missing players involved in the Ireland U18 camp and unavailability, but it welcomed back Michael Lowry from injury. Playing into the wind in the first half the visitors did create a number of try-scoring opportunities, but found great difficulty in finishing many of them off.
Midway through the half the Bangor took a 3-0 lead when Zack Kerr converted a penalty opportunity, but as the interval beckoned ‘Inst’ scrum-half Rhys O’Donnell made a telling break which was expertly finished off by his winger, skipper Conor Field.
Staring the second half 5-3 down Bangor controlled possession for long periods but the ‘Inst’ defence restricted play mainly to the Bangor GS half.
David Whitten was impressive in restricting Bangor making inroads, his high tackle count and clever play at the breakdown key.
And RBAI secured its 12-3 victory in the final quarter of the game when Mark Keane scored a try close to the touchline, and Michael Lowry added a superb conversion.
BALLYCLARE HS 22 – 24 ULSTER U18s
Ballyclare High School used an extended squad on Monday of last week against the Ulster U18 squad in a thrilling game won by the representative side by 24-22.
Mark Crowe, Matty Hamilton, Jonny Crockett and Dean Jones all scored tries for Ballyclare, with Crowe adding one conversion.
CAMPBELL COLLEGE 12 – 7 BRA
Campbell College and Belfast Royal Academy each had players at the Ireland U18 camp when the schools met on Monday, 28 December, Campbell emerging winners of a closely contested game by 12-7.
Nikolai and Josh Chambers scored the Campbell College tries, one of which was converted by Jonny Haldane. The Belfast Royal Academy try came from an interception by Lewis Davidson which was converted by Michael Wilson.
A Campbell College XV also beat an Ulster Age Grade U19 Development squad 10-0 on the same day, Ben Webb and Matt Russell each touching down to secure victory.
BELFAST HS 23 – 27 PORTORA RS
On the last Tuesday of 2015 Belfast High School played host to Portora Royal School in a high-scoring game won by the Enniskillen side by 37-23, and was a much-appreciated opportunity for the Fermanagh team’s players and coaches to get some necessary match-time.
The game started in bright and blustery conditions with Portora playing into the wind in the first half and its pack quickly recycled the ball from the kick-off and put a number of phases together. And from this positive start paid off when Adam Boles crossed the Belfast HS line to score a try, Reece Smyton converting for an early 7-0 lead.
Belfast HS seemed undaunted by this setback and took play into the Portora half, the resultant pressure drawing no fewer than three penalties in quick succession, Simon White converting all three to put his team 9-7 ahead.
But Portora rallied and went in search of a score, but it came BRA’s way when a loose pass close to the Portora line was gleefully intercepted by Simon White who ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts and then convert his own touchdown for a 16-7 lead.
Back came Portora, and Smyton converted a penalty to reduce the arrears, and just before the break another Portora penalty was taken quickly by Josh Kennedy who barged his way over for a try which Smyton improved for a narrow 17-16 lead for the visitors at the break.
With the wind at its back for the second half Portora pinned the High School team back into its own half, and the pressure soon paid off when Daniel Clyde finished off a flowing move with an unconverted try to put the visitors into a 22-16 lead.
That was extended to 27-16 a short time later when full-back Dylan Crawford crossed the line for an unconverted try, and then Jack Rutledge capped a fine performance when he scored an unconverted try to increase the Portora advantage to 32-16.
To its credit Belfast High never stopped working and got some reward for its endeavours when Tyler Arnold scored a try, converted by White, which reduced the arrears to 32-23.
Belfast HS went in search of further points but, with just a minute of the game remaining, possession was turned over, Portora capitalised and Connor Keys ran in for an unconverted try to complete an entertaining 37-23 victory.
DOWN HIGH WIN 2nd XV CUP REPLAY
On New Year’s Eve Down High School won its 2nd Round Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd XV Cup replay with Wallace High School by 16-7.
Down High will now play Regent House in the quarter-final of the competition.
LURGAN COLLEGE 12 – 17 FRIENDS’ SCHOOL
Friends’ School, Lisburn, beat Lurgan College 17-12 in a close game which was switched to Lurgan Rugby Football Club.
Returning to winning ways Friends’ built up a 10-0 lead by the interval with a try from David Newell, converted by David Stewart, and then a Stewart penalty.
The second half saw the lead extended to 17-0 when Adam Schofield scored a try, again converted by Stewart.
The final quarter saw Lurgan College mount something of a comeback, with Harry Simpson, Ryan Emerson and Lewis Lawson leading the way in taking the contest to Friends’.
And good work from James Patterson paved the way for a Reuben McCreery try, which was converted by Jamie Hunter, to reduce the arrears to 17-7.
Then, following good work from Victor MacKenzie and Lewis Lawson, Robbie Norton then ran in for an unconverted try to leave the final score 17-7 in favour of Friends’.
RS DUNGANNON 12 – 22 PORTADOWN COLLEGE
Portadown College travelled to the Royal School, Dungannon, and made the short journey home after a 22-12 win.
The Royal School started the well with Peter Doran impressing with strong carries, and he touched down for a converted try for his side to lead 7-0.
Portadown then took play deep into the home half but contrived to turn over hard-earned possession close to the Dungannon, and the home side put together a number of phases which ended with David Cooper scoring an unconverted try to increase the Dungannon lead to 12-0 at the break.
The second half belonged to Portadown College as it ran in four tries, Matthew Neill scored the first, then David Smith raced in for a second which was converted by Michael Orr to draw the score level at 12-12.
The College impressively pushed on and scored two further unconverted tries, Michael Orr scoring the first, winger Ryan Daly touching down for the second to secure the 22-12 win.
RS ARMAGH 47 – 0 LIMAVADY GS
Royal School, Armagh recorded its biggest win of the season when they beat Limavady Grammar School 47-0 at home.
For the first time this season it was practically a full-strength Armagh team with a number of key players returning to the line-up. The essential difference between the teams was the work of the home side at the breakdown and in its defensive ‘plays’.
Man of the Match James McSorley excelled with his work in attacking and defensive lineouts, and his overall performance was eye-catching.
The Royal School’s points came from a hat trick of tries from Josh Agnew, two from James McSorley, and one try each from Christopher Jennings and Adam Magowan, while William Hazelton was successful with six conversions.
RAINEY ES 7 – 17 BANBRIDGE ACADEMY
On Saturday Rainey Endowed School inflicted an impressive 17-7 home defeat on Banbridge Academy.
In an uneventful first half, played in very difficult conditions, neither team was able to create any real scoring opportunities and the sides turned around at the break with the game scoreless.
Rainey’s pack then started to take control in the early stages of the second half, scoring tries after 45, 55 and 65 minutes, Connor Stringer, Neal Hastings and Cameron Stewart getting the touchdowns. Lorcan Quinn added one conversion to put his team into a 17-0 lead.
To its credit Banbridge Academy never stopped striving and got some reward for its endeavours when Timmy Beattie drove over for a try which Ben Thompson converted, leaving the final score 17-7 in Rainey’s favour.
RBAI 17 – 3 OMAGH ACADEMY
Royal Belfast Academical Institution defeated a determined Omagh Academy at home by 17-3.
‘Inst’ started with an all-out attacking strategy but the stoic Academy defence restricted the home team to just one missed penalty opportunity in the opening quarter.
Academy then managed to secure some possession and, while not threatening the ‘Inst’ line, it did manage to peg the home team back through some good game management skills, particularly from Danny Ritchie and Kyle Beattie.
Close to half-time Conor Field took advantage of a good midfield scrum and finished off a flowing move with a try in the corner, James Hume adding the conversion to put ‘Inst’ into a 7-0 lead.
Academy team responded immediately and forced a penalty which Beattie kicked to reduce the deficit to 7-3 at the interval.
‘Inst’ made a lot of changes at half-time and the new players took some time to settle into the game, while Omagh started the second period in confident mood and took play deep into the opposition half, Neil Logan, Matthew Clyde and Oscar Nelson getting through a lot of work pressing for a try.
Danny Ritchie was held up over the line, while a superb tackle from Joe Finnegan prevented Beattie scoring what seemed to be a certain try.
But RBAI secured the victory in the final quarter of the game when two good attacks were finished off by Year 12 winger Kyle McComiskey, whose two unconverted tries ensured his side’s 17-3 win.
CAMPBELL COLLEGE 12 – 15 ROCKWELL COLLEGE
Campbell College were fully tested on Saturday by Rockwell College from Cashel in County Tipperary at Fox’s Field, going down narrowly by 15-12.
Ben Webb and Tom O’Toole scored the Campbell College tries with Jonny Haldane adding one conversion.
WALLACE HS 19 – 10 BALLYMENA ACADEMY
The weekend’s ‘Match of the Day’ was at Cloneven Park in Lisburn where Wallace High School beat Ballymena Academy 19-10, confirming its position amongst the top Ulster schools teams this season.
Wet conditions underfoot and overhead made it difficult for either team to enjoy any extended periods of possession in the early stages of the game, but Wallace gradually adapted much more positively, Jonny Stewart displaying outstanding leadership skills as he orchestrated proceedings for his side.
Michael Smyth, the impressive Wallace hooker, took advantage of some good work from his pack and touched down for the first try of the game which went unconverted but the home side had grabbed an important 5-0 advantage.
Ballymena Academy team hit back with a try from Josh Bill following an attacking maul, Bruce Houston’s conversion and a subsequent penalty putting the visitors into a 10-5 interval lead.
The second half, though, belonged to Wallace who capitalised on a lacklustre display by the visitors. Jonny Stewart struck a drop goal to reduce the deficit, and when Ballymena lost possession in midfield Jamie Manderson raced clear to score an unconverted try.
Manderson then went on to convert two penalties which secured the well-deserved 19-10 victory for the Lisburn school.
*The games involving Coleraine Grammar School and Sullivan Upper, Bangor Grammar School and Down High School, Ballyclare High School and Methodist College, and Regent House’s game with Wellingon College all fell victims to the weather.
And several Ulster Schools’ players were selected to attend the Ireland Under 18 training camp which took place at Ashbourne RFC during the holiday. They were RBAI’s Callum Reid and James Hume, Ballymena Academy’s Alexander Clarke and Mark Thompson, Campbell College’s Tom O’Toole and Matthew Crowther, BRA’s Matthew Dalton, while Jonny Stewart of Wallace High School, Callum Smith of Coleraine Grammar and Kyle Van Gleisen from Regent House completed the contingent.
FOYLE & LONDONDERRY COLLEGE 36 - 0 CITY OF DERRY U18s
On Boxing Day Foyle and Londonderry College 1st XV played its annual fixture against the City of Derry RFC U18 team at Judge’s Road, running out emphatic 36-0 winners.
A number of players were unavailable so the Foyle College coaches took the opportunity to give game time to members of the extended squad. Foyle took an early 7-0 lead when good work from scrum half Killene Thornton brought a penalty try, converted by Matthew Orr.
The College continued to exert control and from a well-controlled scrum the ball was swiftly moved to winger Stephen Mills who finished off the move with an unconverted try and a 12-0 lead.
Orr then converted a penalty, and just before half-time Foyle College scored its third try of the game, the backline’s well-worked move in midfield finished by Orr, whose conversion made it 22-0 lead at the interval.
The second half saw Foyle continue to dominate the game both in terms of territory and possession. Out-half Conal Gill chipped over the City of Derry defence, he reclaimed the ball and ran in to touch down for a fourth try, Orr adding the conversion for a 29-0 lead.
The gutsy U18 team showed resilience throughout, but a promising attack was cruelly ended when a loose pass was intercepted by Stephen Mills who ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts, Conal Gill converting the try to complete a 36-0 win for Foyle and Londonderry College.
At the same venue, on the same day, Foyle and Londonderry College’s Medallion XV beat City of Derry’s U16 side 19-10, Jake Quinnell, Ben Galbraith and Lewis Callen each scoring a try, and Keelin Coyle adding two conversions.
And Foyle’s U14 made it a College ‘treble’ with a 25-5 win over the City of Derry RFC U14s. Jacob McDermott scored two tries for Foyle College, Eligin Matthews, Jordan Dixon and Adam Moore each touching down once.
BANGOR GS 3 - 12 RBAI
On Monday, 28 December, Bangor Grammar School entertained Royal Belfast Academical Institution in very blustery conditions, ‘Inst’ emerging 12-3 winners of a fiercely-contested affair.
Belfast ‘Inst’ team was missing players involved in the Ireland U18 camp and unavailability, but it welcomed back Michael Lowry from injury. Playing into the wind in the first half the visitors did create a number of try-scoring opportunities, but found great difficulty in finishing many of them off.
Midway through the half the Bangor took a 3-0 lead when Zack Kerr converted a penalty opportunity, but as the interval beckoned ‘Inst’ scrum-half Rhys O’Donnell made a telling break which was expertly finished off by his winger, skipper Conor Field.
Staring the second half 5-3 down Bangor controlled possession for long periods but the ‘Inst’ defence restricted play mainly to the Bangor GS half.
David Whitten was impressive in restricting Bangor making inroads, his high tackle count and clever play at the breakdown key.
And RBAI secured its 12-3 victory in the final quarter of the game when Mark Keane scored a try close to the touchline, and Michael Lowry added a superb conversion.
BALLYCLARE HS 22 – 24 ULSTER U18s
Ballyclare High School used an extended squad on Monday of last week against the Ulster U18 squad in a thrilling game won by the representative side by 24-22.
Mark Crowe, Matty Hamilton, Jonny Crockett and Dean Jones all scored tries for Ballyclare, with Crowe adding one conversion.
CAMPBELL COLLEGE 12 – 7 BRA
Campbell College and Belfast Royal Academy each had players at the Ireland U18 camp when the schools met on Monday, 28 December, Campbell emerging winners of a closely contested game by 12-7.
Nikolai and Josh Chambers scored the Campbell College tries, one of which was converted by Jonny Haldane. The Belfast Royal Academy try came from an interception by Lewis Davidson which was converted by Michael Wilson.
A Campbell College XV also beat an Ulster Age Grade U19 Development squad 10-0 on the same day, Ben Webb and Matt Russell each touching down to secure victory.
BELFAST HS 23 – 27 PORTORA RS
On the last Tuesday of 2015 Belfast High School played host to Portora Royal School in a high-scoring game won by the Enniskillen side by 37-23, and was a much-appreciated opportunity for the Fermanagh team’s players and coaches to get some necessary match-time.
The game started in bright and blustery conditions with Portora playing into the wind in the first half and its pack quickly recycled the ball from the kick-off and put a number of phases together. And from this positive start paid off when Adam Boles crossed the Belfast HS line to score a try, Reece Smyton converting for an early 7-0 lead.
Belfast HS seemed undaunted by this setback and took play into the Portora half, the resultant pressure drawing no fewer than three penalties in quick succession, Simon White converting all three to put his team 9-7 ahead.
But Portora rallied and went in search of a score, but it came BRA’s way when a loose pass close to the Portora line was gleefully intercepted by Simon White who ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts and then convert his own touchdown for a 16-7 lead.
Back came Portora, and Smyton converted a penalty to reduce the arrears, and just before the break another Portora penalty was taken quickly by Josh Kennedy who barged his way over for a try which Smyton improved for a narrow 17-16 lead for the visitors at the break.
With the wind at its back for the second half Portora pinned the High School team back into its own half, and the pressure soon paid off when Daniel Clyde finished off a flowing move with an unconverted try to put the visitors into a 22-16 lead.
That was extended to 27-16 a short time later when full-back Dylan Crawford crossed the line for an unconverted try, and then Jack Rutledge capped a fine performance when he scored an unconverted try to increase the Portora advantage to 32-16.
To its credit Belfast High never stopped working and got some reward for its endeavours when Tyler Arnold scored a try, converted by White, which reduced the arrears to 32-23.
Belfast HS went in search of further points but, with just a minute of the game remaining, possession was turned over, Portora capitalised and Connor Keys ran in for an unconverted try to complete an entertaining 37-23 victory.
DOWN HIGH WIN 2nd XV CUP REPLAY
On New Year’s Eve Down High School won its 2nd Round Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 2nd XV Cup replay with Wallace High School by 16-7.
Down High will now play Regent House in the quarter-final of the competition.
LURGAN COLLEGE 12 – 17 FRIENDS’ SCHOOL
Friends’ School, Lisburn, beat Lurgan College 17-12 in a close game which was switched to Lurgan Rugby Football Club.
Returning to winning ways Friends’ built up a 10-0 lead by the interval with a try from David Newell, converted by David Stewart, and then a Stewart penalty.
The second half saw the lead extended to 17-0 when Adam Schofield scored a try, again converted by Stewart.
The final quarter saw Lurgan College mount something of a comeback, with Harry Simpson, Ryan Emerson and Lewis Lawson leading the way in taking the contest to Friends’.
And good work from James Patterson paved the way for a Reuben McCreery try, which was converted by Jamie Hunter, to reduce the arrears to 17-7.
Then, following good work from Victor MacKenzie and Lewis Lawson, Robbie Norton then ran in for an unconverted try to leave the final score 17-7 in favour of Friends’.
RS DUNGANNON 12 – 22 PORTADOWN COLLEGE
Portadown College travelled to the Royal School, Dungannon, and made the short journey home after a 22-12 win.
The Royal School started the well with Peter Doran impressing with strong carries, and he touched down for a converted try for his side to lead 7-0.
Portadown then took play deep into the home half but contrived to turn over hard-earned possession close to the Dungannon, and the home side put together a number of phases which ended with David Cooper scoring an unconverted try to increase the Dungannon lead to 12-0 at the break.
The second half belonged to Portadown College as it ran in four tries, Matthew Neill scored the first, then David Smith raced in for a second which was converted by Michael Orr to draw the score level at 12-12.
The College impressively pushed on and scored two further unconverted tries, Michael Orr scoring the first, winger Ryan Daly touching down for the second to secure the 22-12 win.
RS ARMAGH 47 – 0 LIMAVADY GS
Royal School, Armagh recorded its biggest win of the season when they beat Limavady Grammar School 47-0 at home.
For the first time this season it was practically a full-strength Armagh team with a number of key players returning to the line-up. The essential difference between the teams was the work of the home side at the breakdown and in its defensive ‘plays’.
Man of the Match James McSorley excelled with his work in attacking and defensive lineouts, and his overall performance was eye-catching.
The Royal School’s points came from a hat trick of tries from Josh Agnew, two from James McSorley, and one try each from Christopher Jennings and Adam Magowan, while William Hazelton was successful with six conversions.
RAINEY ES 7 – 17 BANBRIDGE ACADEMY
On Saturday Rainey Endowed School inflicted an impressive 17-7 home defeat on Banbridge Academy.
In an uneventful first half, played in very difficult conditions, neither team was able to create any real scoring opportunities and the sides turned around at the break with the game scoreless.
Rainey’s pack then started to take control in the early stages of the second half, scoring tries after 45, 55 and 65 minutes, Connor Stringer, Neal Hastings and Cameron Stewart getting the touchdowns. Lorcan Quinn added one conversion to put his team into a 17-0 lead.
To its credit Banbridge Academy never stopped striving and got some reward for its endeavours when Timmy Beattie drove over for a try which Ben Thompson converted, leaving the final score 17-7 in Rainey’s favour.
RBAI 17 – 3 OMAGH ACADEMY
Royal Belfast Academical Institution defeated a determined Omagh Academy at home by 17-3.
‘Inst’ started with an all-out attacking strategy but the stoic Academy defence restricted the home team to just one missed penalty opportunity in the opening quarter.
Academy then managed to secure some possession and, while not threatening the ‘Inst’ line, it did manage to peg the home team back through some good game management skills, particularly from Danny Ritchie and Kyle Beattie.
Close to half-time Conor Field took advantage of a good midfield scrum and finished off a flowing move with a try in the corner, James Hume adding the conversion to put ‘Inst’ into a 7-0 lead.
Academy team responded immediately and forced a penalty which Beattie kicked to reduce the deficit to 7-3 at the interval.
‘Inst’ made a lot of changes at half-time and the new players took some time to settle into the game, while Omagh started the second period in confident mood and took play deep into the opposition half, Neil Logan, Matthew Clyde and Oscar Nelson getting through a lot of work pressing for a try.
Danny Ritchie was held up over the line, while a superb tackle from Joe Finnegan prevented Beattie scoring what seemed to be a certain try.
But RBAI secured the victory in the final quarter of the game when two good attacks were finished off by Year 12 winger Kyle McComiskey, whose two unconverted tries ensured his side’s 17-3 win.
CAMPBELL COLLEGE 12 – 15 ROCKWELL COLLEGE
Campbell College were fully tested on Saturday by Rockwell College from Cashel in County Tipperary at Fox’s Field, going down narrowly by 15-12.
Ben Webb and Tom O’Toole scored the Campbell College tries with Jonny Haldane adding one conversion.
WALLACE HS 19 – 10 BALLYMENA ACADEMY
The weekend’s ‘Match of the Day’ was at Cloneven Park in Lisburn where Wallace High School beat Ballymena Academy 19-10, confirming its position amongst the top Ulster schools teams this season.
Wet conditions underfoot and overhead made it difficult for either team to enjoy any extended periods of possession in the early stages of the game, but Wallace gradually adapted much more positively, Jonny Stewart displaying outstanding leadership skills as he orchestrated proceedings for his side.
Michael Smyth, the impressive Wallace hooker, took advantage of some good work from his pack and touched down for the first try of the game which went unconverted but the home side had grabbed an important 5-0 advantage.
Ballymena Academy team hit back with a try from Josh Bill following an attacking maul, Bruce Houston’s conversion and a subsequent penalty putting the visitors into a 10-5 interval lead.
The second half, though, belonged to Wallace who capitalised on a lacklustre display by the visitors. Jonny Stewart struck a drop goal to reduce the deficit, and when Ballymena lost possession in midfield Jamie Manderson raced clear to score an unconverted try.
Manderson then went on to convert two penalties which secured the well-deserved 19-10 victory for the Lisburn school.
*The games involving Coleraine Grammar School and Sullivan Upper, Bangor Grammar School and Down High School, Ballyclare High School and Methodist College, and Regent House’s game with Wellingon College all fell victims to the weather.