The first Saturday of the 2026/27 season saw quite a few friendly games taking place at schools across the province.
Ballymena Academy played Ballyclare High School in a high scoring game the Ballymena Academy team won by 46-23.
George Gamble, Reuben Skelly, with a hat trick, Archie Graham, with a brace and Billy Wylie, with a brace, were the Ballymena Academy tray scorers.
Matthew McKean was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
The Ballyclare High School points came through tries from Daniel Montgomery, Jude Semple, who touched down twice and Zach Thompson.
Jack Smith added one successful penalty goal.
Belfast Royal Academy hosted Campbell College, Belfast in a 3x20 minutes close encounter from which the Campbell College, Belfast team emerged as 26-21 winners.
The Belfast Royal Academy team scored three tries through Rory Brooks, Ryan Pavlovic and JJ McVeigh.
Blake McCloskey was successful with all three of his conversion kicks.
Isaac Crawford, Oliver Allen, Will Stewart and Jack Best each touched down for a Campbell College, Belfast try.
Jack Best was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
Coleraine Grammar School hosted Foyle College and Sullivan Upper School in an early season blitz tournament.
Thomas Hassan, a debutant No 8, Joe Coates and Luke McMillan all impressed with their performances for the Coleraine Grammar School team.
The highlight score of the morning came from Austin Henry who displayed great skill and determination when he finished off a flowing Coleraine Grammar School backline move with a try in the corner against Sullivan Upper School.
For Foyle College team, Vadim Khodacov and George Rough impressed with their performances.
Sullivan Upper School players such as Jay Topping, Henry Calvert, Edan Polley, Noah Cassidy and Ben Boreland were the team points scorers in the course of the morning’s activities.
Down High School played Regent House School in a 3x20 minutes scenario with both schools using extended squads.
The Down High School team scored 19 points with three tries through James Morton, Matthew Horner and Joe Bailie.
Barry Cooke was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
The Regent House School scored 21 points which came through two tries from Matthew Brittain and one try from Matthew Turkington, alongside two successful conversions from Matthew Brittain and one successful conversion from Zack McMinn.
Friends’ School, Lisburn played Bangor Grammar School in a game from which the Friends’ School, Lisburn team emerged as 24-12 winners.
Aidan Lough, Marc Conn, Eddie Hall and Max Warwick each scored one try for the Friends’ School, Lisburn team with John Hall adding the extras to two of the Friends’ School, Lisburn team tries.
The Bangor Grammar School team scored two tries through Scott Alexander and Bruce McClure with Tom Posner adding one successful conversion kick.
Grosvenor High School hosted their annual Ian H Graham Trophy blitz tournament at the Cameronian Drive venue with teams from Antrim Grammar School, Banbridge Academy, Cambridge House School, Dromore High School and Larne Grammar School all taking part.
Two groups of three teams played the group stage games before the final placings saw Grosvenor Grammar School contest the final with Banbridge Academy.
In the course of the group stage games, Isaac Lynn, Rio McKee, Jonah Woolley, Ethan Lucas and Daniel Blair impressed for the Antrim Grammar School team.
Daniel Byrne, Patrick McElroy, Zach Watson and Dawson Knox all put in great performances for the Banbridge Academy.
For Cambridge Hose Grammar School, Ethan Mills, Jack Hyndman, Thomas Sittlington, James Frew and Ronan Carr were all to the fore with their performances.
Grosvenor Grammar School had James Campbell to thank as his group stage performances saw the host team into the final alongside Banbridge Academy.
In the final game of the Ian H Graham Trophy, Banbridge Academy defeated Grosvenor Grammar School by 19-0 with their points coming through two tries from Seth Martin and a third from Jesse Macauley.
Daniel Byrne and Zach Watson each added one successful conversion kick.
Limavady Grammar School played Dalriada School and recorded a 22-0 victory winning the inaugural Madden Cup in the process.
Man of the Match, Graeme Rossborough, scored the first of the Limavady Grammar School tries with Charlie Blair touching down for two more.
Jack Howe was successful with two conversion kicks as well as one penalty goal.
Lurgan College and Portadown College played a controlled game scenario involving both U16 and 1stxv teams. at the Lough Road venue.
For the Lurgan College team, Max Blair, David Emerson, 1stxv debutant, Noah Roderick, Will Cunningham and Alex McMeekin all impressed with their performances.
The Portadown College team captain, Callum Doak, led his team by example and he received great support from players such as Sammy Walsh, Thomas Kenny and Ben McBurney.
Omagh Academy entertained Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in a closely contested encounter the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team won by 17-12.
The Omagh Academy team scored two tries through Sami Braden with Lewis McIvor adding one successful conversion kick.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team scored three tries through Adam Little, Harry McKenzie and Ben Wallace.
Jake Hinchcliffe the extras to one of the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School tries.
Rainey Endowed School played Methodist College, Belfast in a 3x20 game scenario which saw the final score read Rainey Endowed School 12 Methodist College, Belfast 35 with both teams using extended squads.
The Rainey Endowed School points came through tries from Zak Wilkinson and William Hunter with William adding one conversion.
Peter Lindsay scored two tries for the Methodist College, Belfast team with Paul Stevenson, Jack Largey and Michael Melo touching down for one try apiece.
Brody Magowan-Gould was successful with four conversion kicks with Alex Turkington adding a fifth conversion.
Wallace High School played St Gerard’s School, Bray in a game the St Gerard’s School team won by 38-5.
The Wallace High School points came through a first half unconverted try from Caleb Johnston.
The St Gerard’s School team scored three first half tries through Joey Costigan, Ben Willis and Nino Leddy to which Ethan Bradshaw added one successful conversion.
The second half saw the St Gerard’s School team run in three further tries through Joseph Liu, Ben Willis and Evan Kenny.
Aubrey Desmond was successful with all three of his conversion kicks.