The Ulster U19 and Ulster U18 Clubs teams travelled to play fixtures against Irish Exiles at the weekend.
IRISH EXILES U20s 10 ULSTER U19s 33
The Ulster U19 squad opened their account for the season with a trip to the Oratory School, Reading where they played a game against the Exiles U20 team.
In a game played in excellent conditions the Ulster players were made to work hard for their ultimately well-deserved 33-10 victory.
From the beginning it was clear this was going to be a competitive game with both teams intent on playing the game in a constructive manner. The Ulster team, captained by Tom O’Toole, opened their account ten minutes into the game when James Hume and Jack Barry-Glendinning combined to put Jack in for a try under the Exiles’ posts. James Hume added the conversion to see the Ulster team into a 7-0 lead.
Three minutes later the score extended to 14-0 in favour of the Ulster team when Michael Lowry intercepted a loose pass and outpaced the Exiles defence to finish his run with a try. Once again, Hume was successful with the conversion.
The Exiles team now started to put some phases together and asked questions of the Ulster defence. However, they found the Ulster defence to be well-organised and the only points they were able to put on the board came as a result of a penalty close to the end of the first half. The successfully converted penalty left the score at the break reading 14-3 in favour of the Ulster U19 team.
The Ulster team started the second half strongly with their industrious flanker, Joe Dunleavy, touching down for a try three minutes into the second period of play. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Ulster U19 team now had a 19-3 lead.
The Exiles players never let their heads drop and got some reward for their endeavours when they scored a converted try midway through the second half to reduce the arrears to 19-10.
Both teams made a number of changes and it took some time for these players to impose themselves on the game. With five minutes of the game remaining the Ulster team was awarded a midfield scrum. The ball was skilfully moved through the Ulster back division and Michael Stronge finished off with a fine try in the corner. Cormac Fox was successful with his touchline conversion to extend the Ulster lead to 26-10.
The Ulster team finished the game on a very positive note when a second lung bursting run from replacement hooker, Jesse Iredale, was finished with a try. Cormac Fox was successful with his conversion kick to secure the 33-10 victory for the Ulster U19 team.
The next game for the Ulster U19s will take place at Banbridge Rugby Club on Saturday 20th August when the Ulster team will entertain their counterparts from Italy in a game scheduled to kick off at 1.30pm.
Ulster U19 Squad
Tom O’Toole (Campbell College, captain), Corrie Barrett (RBAI), Paul Mullen (Armagh RFC), Matthew Russell (Campbell College), Alexander Clarke (Ballymena Academy), Jesse Iredale (Belvedere College), John McCusker (Rainey RFC), Josh Kennedy (Enniskillen Royal GS), Zac Ward (Down HS), Joe Dunleavy (Letterkenny RFC), Aaron Hall (Ballyclare Secondary School), David Pogatchnik (St. Conleth’s School), Matthew Agnew (Bangor GS), Jack Barry-Glendinning (Campbell College), Richie Fahy (Blackrock College), Michael Stronge (Ballymena Academy), Rhys O’Donnell (RBAI), Cormac Fox (Armagh RFC), Michael Lowry, Mark Keane (both RBAI), Yannic Marriott, Tom Stapley (both Exiles), Oscar Yandall (Campbell College), James Hume (RBAI), Dennis Posternak (Dalriada School), Lewis Sampson (Exiles), Joseph Finnegan (RBAI).
Management Team
Coaches: Kieran Campbell, James Topping, Willie Anderson, David Creighton, John Creighton
Ulster Age Grade Manager: Michael Black
S&C Coach: Matthew Godfrey
Kit Manager: Andy Weir
Doctor: Dr Ryan Hamilton
Physio: Richard Johnston
Team Manager: Barney McGonigle
IRISH EXILES U18s 20 ULSTER U18 CLUBS 10
The game got under way in dry conditions, with both teams probing for weaknesses in the opposition and players settling into their roles and positions.
Both sides were tentative in the initial stages and after four minutes Exiles were awarded a penalty which was successfully converted by Niall Finn. Ulster came back at them and in the eighth minute they were awarded a penalty, successfully converted by Johnnie Cooke.
Play continued and Ulster were gaining in confidence and were now playing as a team and putting together some very entertaining rugby. This resulted in fullback Rory McParland taking a great pass out on the left wing to score a try in the left hand corner in the 20th minute. The kick out on touchline was successfully converted by Cooke.
Unfortunately after 30 minutes loosehead prop Aaron Kennedy was replaced by Aaron Michaelides [sickness]. The game continued to half time with sides trying to get the upper hand in what was an exciting game.
The second half got under way with both sides competing for everything and Exiles were soon awarded a penalty and elected to go for touch. With territory on the Ulster 22 and after securing possession, they were rewarded by an unconverted try following good rucking and mauling by the forwards. Exiles 8 Ulster 10.
At this point Ulster brought on three replacements, Tyler Miller for Matthew Faulkner, Sam McMurray for Conor Maguire and Lee Culbertson for Jac Lloyd Evans.
The Exiles appeared to take advantage at this period and their number 8 Oscar Riley scored a simple try which was converted by Finn for a 15-10 lead.
Ulster were coming back into the game but the Exiles added a further try by flanker Conor Finch to extend the lead to 10 points.
The game then had to be abandoned for the medical treatment of an Exiles player.
A good entertaining game of rugby was displayed by both sides and a credit to the players’ ability and discipline.
Our thought and good wishes go out to Charlie for a quick and successful recovery.
IRISH EXILES U20s 10 ULSTER U19s 33
The Ulster U19 squad opened their account for the season with a trip to the Oratory School, Reading where they played a game against the Exiles U20 team.
In a game played in excellent conditions the Ulster players were made to work hard for their ultimately well-deserved 33-10 victory.
From the beginning it was clear this was going to be a competitive game with both teams intent on playing the game in a constructive manner. The Ulster team, captained by Tom O’Toole, opened their account ten minutes into the game when James Hume and Jack Barry-Glendinning combined to put Jack in for a try under the Exiles’ posts. James Hume added the conversion to see the Ulster team into a 7-0 lead.
Three minutes later the score extended to 14-0 in favour of the Ulster team when Michael Lowry intercepted a loose pass and outpaced the Exiles defence to finish his run with a try. Once again, Hume was successful with the conversion.
The Exiles team now started to put some phases together and asked questions of the Ulster defence. However, they found the Ulster defence to be well-organised and the only points they were able to put on the board came as a result of a penalty close to the end of the first half. The successfully converted penalty left the score at the break reading 14-3 in favour of the Ulster U19 team.
The Ulster team started the second half strongly with their industrious flanker, Joe Dunleavy, touching down for a try three minutes into the second period of play. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Ulster U19 team now had a 19-3 lead.
The Exiles players never let their heads drop and got some reward for their endeavours when they scored a converted try midway through the second half to reduce the arrears to 19-10.
Both teams made a number of changes and it took some time for these players to impose themselves on the game. With five minutes of the game remaining the Ulster team was awarded a midfield scrum. The ball was skilfully moved through the Ulster back division and Michael Stronge finished off with a fine try in the corner. Cormac Fox was successful with his touchline conversion to extend the Ulster lead to 26-10.
The Ulster team finished the game on a very positive note when a second lung bursting run from replacement hooker, Jesse Iredale, was finished with a try. Cormac Fox was successful with his conversion kick to secure the 33-10 victory for the Ulster U19 team.
The next game for the Ulster U19s will take place at Banbridge Rugby Club on Saturday 20th August when the Ulster team will entertain their counterparts from Italy in a game scheduled to kick off at 1.30pm.
Ulster U19 Squad
Tom O’Toole (Campbell College, captain), Corrie Barrett (RBAI), Paul Mullen (Armagh RFC), Matthew Russell (Campbell College), Alexander Clarke (Ballymena Academy), Jesse Iredale (Belvedere College), John McCusker (Rainey RFC), Josh Kennedy (Enniskillen Royal GS), Zac Ward (Down HS), Joe Dunleavy (Letterkenny RFC), Aaron Hall (Ballyclare Secondary School), David Pogatchnik (St. Conleth’s School), Matthew Agnew (Bangor GS), Jack Barry-Glendinning (Campbell College), Richie Fahy (Blackrock College), Michael Stronge (Ballymena Academy), Rhys O’Donnell (RBAI), Cormac Fox (Armagh RFC), Michael Lowry, Mark Keane (both RBAI), Yannic Marriott, Tom Stapley (both Exiles), Oscar Yandall (Campbell College), James Hume (RBAI), Dennis Posternak (Dalriada School), Lewis Sampson (Exiles), Joseph Finnegan (RBAI).
Management Team
Coaches: Kieran Campbell, James Topping, Willie Anderson, David Creighton, John Creighton
Ulster Age Grade Manager: Michael Black
S&C Coach: Matthew Godfrey
Kit Manager: Andy Weir
Doctor: Dr Ryan Hamilton
Physio: Richard Johnston
Team Manager: Barney McGonigle
IRISH EXILES U18s 20 ULSTER U18 CLUBS 10
The game got under way in dry conditions, with both teams probing for weaknesses in the opposition and players settling into their roles and positions.
Both sides were tentative in the initial stages and after four minutes Exiles were awarded a penalty which was successfully converted by Niall Finn. Ulster came back at them and in the eighth minute they were awarded a penalty, successfully converted by Johnnie Cooke.
Play continued and Ulster were gaining in confidence and were now playing as a team and putting together some very entertaining rugby. This resulted in fullback Rory McParland taking a great pass out on the left wing to score a try in the left hand corner in the 20th minute. The kick out on touchline was successfully converted by Cooke.
Unfortunately after 30 minutes loosehead prop Aaron Kennedy was replaced by Aaron Michaelides [sickness]. The game continued to half time with sides trying to get the upper hand in what was an exciting game.
The second half got under way with both sides competing for everything and Exiles were soon awarded a penalty and elected to go for touch. With territory on the Ulster 22 and after securing possession, they were rewarded by an unconverted try following good rucking and mauling by the forwards. Exiles 8 Ulster 10.
At this point Ulster brought on three replacements, Tyler Miller for Matthew Faulkner, Sam McMurray for Conor Maguire and Lee Culbertson for Jac Lloyd Evans.
The Exiles appeared to take advantage at this period and their number 8 Oscar Riley scored a simple try which was converted by Finn for a 15-10 lead.
Ulster were coming back into the game but the Exiles added a further try by flanker Conor Finch to extend the lead to 10 points.
The game then had to be abandoned for the medical treatment of an Exiles player.
A good entertaining game of rugby was displayed by both sides and a credit to the players’ ability and discipline.
Our thought and good wishes go out to Charlie for a quick and successful recovery.