The Danske Bank Ulster U18 Schools team have won the Schools Inter-Provincial Championship for the first time, thanks to a 18-17 win over Leinster in Donnybrook on Saturday afternoon.
Nathan Doak opened the scoring for the Ulster team with a well struck penalty in the fifth minute to give his team a 3-0 lead. This became 8-0 eleven minutes later, when Ryan O’Neill crashed over for an unconverted try following a series of multiple phase plays.
The Leinster team replied midway through the half when, following a rare appearance into the Ulster half, Mike O’Gara converted a penalty opportunity which reduced the deficit to 8-3.
The last few minutes of the first period of play saw the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team extend their lead to 15-3 when an Aaron Sexton run took play deep into Leinster territory. The resultant ruck produced the quality possession which enabled James Nelson to finish with a try. Nathan Doak added the extras.
With the final play of the half the Leinster team reduced the arrears to 15-10 when Ross McInnes scored a try which was converted by Mike O’Gara.
Six minutes into the second half more Ulster pressure saw the Leinster team concede a penalty which Nathan Doak converted to extend the Ulster lead to 18-10.
Back came the Leinster team and, six minutes from the end, Sam Dardis scored a try, which Mick O’Gara converted, to see the scoreboard read 18-17 in favour of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team.
A vital turnover towards the end of the game by the Ulster forwards, and the ability to run the clock down, ensured the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team finished the game as deserved winners of the 2017/18 IRFU Schools’ U18 Championship.
It was a delighted John McKee, captain of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team, who lifted the Inter-Provincial Championship Cup at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Nathan Doak opened the scoring for the Ulster team with a well struck penalty in the fifth minute to give his team a 3-0 lead. This became 8-0 eleven minutes later, when Ryan O’Neill crashed over for an unconverted try following a series of multiple phase plays.
The Leinster team replied midway through the half when, following a rare appearance into the Ulster half, Mike O’Gara converted a penalty opportunity which reduced the deficit to 8-3.
The last few minutes of the first period of play saw the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team extend their lead to 15-3 when an Aaron Sexton run took play deep into Leinster territory. The resultant ruck produced the quality possession which enabled James Nelson to finish with a try. Nathan Doak added the extras.
With the final play of the half the Leinster team reduced the arrears to 15-10 when Ross McInnes scored a try which was converted by Mike O’Gara.
Six minutes into the second half more Ulster pressure saw the Leinster team concede a penalty which Nathan Doak converted to extend the Ulster lead to 18-10.
Back came the Leinster team and, six minutes from the end, Sam Dardis scored a try, which Mick O’Gara converted, to see the scoreboard read 18-17 in favour of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team.
A vital turnover towards the end of the game by the Ulster forwards, and the ability to run the clock down, ensured the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team finished the game as deserved winners of the 2017/18 IRFU Schools’ U18 Championship.
It was a delighted John McKee, captain of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team, who lifted the Inter-Provincial Championship Cup at the post-match presentation ceremony.