Schools Rugby returned after the Halloween break with a a full programme of games in the Danske Bank Schools Cup group stages as well as a number of high profile challenge matches.
And it's in the North-West where Schools PRO Barney McGonigle begins his round-up this week with a clas between Coleraine Grammar School and Dublin's Belvedere College.
Coleraine Grammar School was strengthened by the return of experienced players such as Austin Henry and scored seven tries in the course of the game.
Joe Coates, Austin Henry, Luke McMillan, with two, Feidhlim Penfold, Alec Doherty and Joshua Chambers touched down for the Coleraine Grammar School tries.
Adam Moore had a fine game off the tee with all seven successful conversion kicks.
Belvedere College contributed a lot to the game and scored three tries through Conor Cahill, Tommy Mealy and Dan Sweeney.
Hugo Stafford was successful with two of his conversion kicks, with the final score bing 42-19 in favour of Coleraine Grammar.
On Wednesday 4th November, Grosvenor Grammar School played Bangor Academy in a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Qualifying League game which the Grosvenor Grammar School team won by 38-5.
James Campbell, Lemmy Black, with two, Obi Symington, Dexter McCabe and Daniel Baillie scored the Grosvenor Grammar tries to which James added three successful conversion kicks.
The Bangor Academy points came through an unconverted try from the talented Jamie Frazer.
In the same competition, Strabane Academy hosted Lurgan College in a game Lurgan College won by 40-12.
Strabane Academy scored two tries through Andrew McGarrigle and Mark Robinson with Sam Hannan adding the extras to one of the tries.
Reuben Wellwood, Alexander McMeekin, Daniel Emerson, Will Cunningham, with two and Noah Roderick scored the Lurgan College tries.
Will Cunningham capped a fine personal performance with four successful conversion kicks with Max Blair adding a fifth successful conversion kick.
Meanwhile, at Templeogue Road in Dublin 6, Sullivan Upper played Terenure College in a game Terenure College won 35-27.
Terenure College scored their points through tries from Frank Maher, Davis O’Sullivan, Adam O’Donohoe, Cillian McKetterick and Max Murray.
Jamie Sharpe was successful with all five of his conversion kicks.
The Sullivan Upper School points came through tries from Ross Alderdice, Finn McGrath, Lucan McKeown, Oliver Long and Sebby Gorman.
Henry Calvert was successful with one of his conversion kicks.
On Friday 6th November, Methodist College, Belfast travelled to Lancashire where they played Kirkham Grammar School. In a closely contested game Methodist College emerged as 24-22 winners.
Tom Lawson, with two, Chris Oxley and James Gerrard scored the Kirkham Grammar School tries with Chris Oxley adding one successful conversion kick.
Methody scored three tries through Alex Turkington, Tristan McKay and Brodie McGowan-Gould.
McGowan-Gould was successful with all three of his conversion kicks as well as one penalty goal.
On Saturday 7th November, the third series of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group Stage games took place.
In Section A, Larne Grammar School played Banbridge Academy in a game the Banbridge Academy team won by 31-19.
The Larne Grammar points came through tries from the impressive Rory Meldrum, Benji Dobbin and Jamie Jones.
Zak Duncan added one successful conversion kick.
Banbridge Academy, on the back of a great performance from Patrick McElroy, scored five tries through Sam Leslie, Dawson Knox, Theo Wan, Seth Martin and Finlay Mathers.
Daniel Byrne was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
Royal School Dungannon played Bangor Grammar School in a game the Bangor Grammar won by 26-7.
Alex Tomaszowski touched down for Royal School Dungannon try to which Cauan Robe added the conversion.
The Bangor Grammar points came through tries from Luke McKenzie, Bruce McClure, Tom Posner and Albie Scott.
Bruce added the extras to three of the Bangor Grammar School tries.
In Section B, Coleraine Grammar School played Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. In a closely contested game, Coleraine Grammar School won 17-15 with a penalty in the final few minutes deciding game.
Adam Moore and Feidhlim Penfold, who took full advantage of some great work from Austin Henry, ran in for the Coleraine Grammar School tries with Ben Todd adding two conversions as well as his match winning penalty goal.
Torin Sholes and Matthew Mannix touched down for the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School tries with Harry Breen adding one successful conversion kick as well as one penalty goal.
Friends’ School, Lisburn hosted Portadown College. In another closely contested game, the Lisburn team came through with a 22-21 bonus point win.
Zac Wilson, Harry Mehaffey and Charlie Cleland, with two, were the Friends’ School, Lisburn try scorers.
John Hall was successful with one of his conversion kicks.
Isaac Moore, Harry Ritchie and Callum Doak ran in for the Portadown College tries to which Charlie Rodgers added three successful conversion kicks.
In Section C Antrim Grammar School played Limavady Grammar School in another close game which Antrim Grammar won 21-19.
Ethan Lucas, Daniel Blair and Calum Lavery scored the Antrim Grammar tries with Isaac Lynn adding three successful conversion kicks.
Raiden Turner and Jack Howe, with a brace, were the Limavady Grammar try scorers with Howe adding the extras to two of the tries.
Ballyclare High School played Rainey Endowed School in a high scoring encounter the Ballyclare High School team won by 34-19.
The Ballyclare High tries came from Jude Semple, Daniel Montgomery, with two, Luke Kennedy, Austin Adair and Daniel Jenkins.
Jack Smyth was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
Rainey Endowed contributed a lot to this game in terms of the pace their players displayed at times.
They got some reward for their endeavours when Rafe Hastings, Adrian Martin and Zak Wilkinson touched down for tries with Adrian adding two successful conversion kicks.
In Section D, Down High School played Regent House School in a game the Regent House won by 35-7.
Ruben Watson scored the Down High School try which was successfully converted by Harry Johnston.
Mackinnon Wilkinson was the hero of the day for the Regent House with a hat-trick of tries to which Matthew Brittain and Calum Megarity added one try apiece.
Brittain added the extras to two of the tries with Zach McMinn converting three.
Dalriada School entertained Dromore High School in a game Dalriada won 17-11.
Archie Graham, Matthew Rea and Matthew Nicholl scored the Dalriada School tries with Chris Finney adding one successful conversion kick.
Dromore High scored one try through Harry Cantley with Alfie Clarke adding two successful penalty kicks.
The Ulster Schools’ Committee would like to thank the USRFR for the provision of referees for all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group Stage games played on Saturday 7th November.
As well as the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group Stage games played on Saturday 7th November, a number of 1st XV friendly games took place.
Ballymena Academy played Campbell College, Belfast in a game Campbell College won 28-17.
The Ballymena Academy team scored two tries through George Gamble and Reuben Skelly.
Daniel Johnston converted both tries as well as adding one penalty goal.
Zach Thompson, with two, David Nelson and Peter Young were the Campbell try scorers.
The trusty boot of Jack Best added the extras to all four of the Campbell College tries.
Belfast High School played Cambridge House Grammar School and won the game 26-12.
Daniel Ringland ran in for a hat-trick of tries for the Belfast High School team with Adam Porter touching down for a fourth.
Matthew McCabe was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
The Cambridge House points came through tries from Ethan Mills and Charlie Turtle with one conversion from James Johnston.
Belfast Royal Academy travelled to Dublin 4 where they played a Blackrock College XV in a game the Blackrock College won 31-17.
Lucas Hill, Donnacha Walsh, Julian Browne, Harry Clancy and Felix Burke scored the home team tries with Michael Stronge adding three successful conversion kicks.
BRA scored three tries through Oscar Colley, Blake McCloskey and Conor Doyle.
McCloskey was successful with one of his conversion kicks.
Foyle College hosted Wallace High School in a very close game with Wallace High winning 15-12.
John O’Connor and Cal Eakin touched down for Foyle tries with Ethan Gallick adding one successful conversion.
The Wallace High School points came through tries from Will Rodgers and Peter Megarrell to which Harry Walker added one successful conversion kick as well as one penalty goal.
Omagh Academy played Royal School, Armagh in a game that finished 21-7 in favour of the Armagh school..
Lewis McIvor scored the Omagh Academy try which was successfully converted by Sami Braden.
Ayrton Pienaar ran in for two Armagh tries with Charlie Reaney touching down for a third.
Joel Clarke was on target with all three of his conversion kicks.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution made their way to Kenilworth Square in Dublin 6 where they played St Mary’s College, Dublin in a game St Mary’s College won 24-14.
Cian Dunphy, Patrick Crane and Joe Dunne scored the St Mary’s College tries with Jack Fogarty adding two conversions. Will Kelly also added one conversion as well as one penalty goal.
RBAI scored two tries through Reuben Gibson and Jack Coulter with Johnny Kennedy successfully converting both tries.