Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 28th January 2023

Due to the number of postponed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ competition games on Saturday 21st January there were quite a few rearranged games played in the week leading up to the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Group of Sixteen and Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Group of Sixteen games played on Saturday 28th January.
On Monday 23rd January Belfast High School and Dromore High School played their long delayed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy 2nd Round game.
Following a very exciting close encounter the Dromore High School team emerged as 31-26 winners. Dromore High School will now travel to play Portadown College in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy.
On the same afternoon Friends’ School, Lisburn 2ndxv hosted Royal School, Armagh 2ndxv in their previously postponed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate 1/4 Final game.
The Royal School, Armagh 2ndxv team won the game by 40-10.
Meanwhile, at Pirrie Park Methodist College, Belfast 2ndxv played Royal Belfast Academical Institution 2ndxv in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup.
This was a very closely contested game which the Methodist College, Belfast team won by 13-10.
On Tuesday 24th January quite a few Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ previously postponed Medallion Shield Round of Sixteen games were played.
Ballyclare High School played Royal School, Armagh in a game the Royal School, Armagh team won by 22-6.
Dromore High School played Larne Grammar School and won the game by 26-12.
Foyle and Londonderry College played Bangor Grammar School in a game that saw the Bangor Grammar School team return home with a 22-19 victory.
Methodist College, Belfast played Campbell College, Belfast in a game the Campbell College, Belfast team won by 26-12.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution played Wallace High School and recorded a very impressive 40-0 victory.
Royal School, Dungannon played Regent House School in a game the Regent House School team won by 22-7.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl 1/4 Final games, which were postponed on Saturday 21st January, Coleraine Grammar School played Omagh Academy and won the game by 28-8.
Limavady Grammar School played Lurgan College and won the game by 40-0.
In two of the postponed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/4 Final games Grosvenor Grammar School played Craigavon Senior High School and won the game by 10-7.
Strabane Academy played Ballyclare Secondary School and won the game by 22-7.
When the results of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield, Bowl and Trophy games were known the draws for the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield and 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate were released.
The results of the draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield 1/4 Finals.
1/Campbell College, Belfast v Regent House School
2/Friends’ School, Lisburn/Ballymena Academy v Bangor Grammar School
3/Dromore High School v Belfast Royal Academy
4/Royal School, Armagh v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 4th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate 1/4 Finals.
1/Sullivan Upper School v Royal School, Dungannon
2/Wallace High School v Friends’ School, Lisburn/Ballymena Academy
3/Larne Grammar School v Methodist College, Belfast
4/Foyle and Londonderry College v Ballyclare High School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 4th February
The draws for the 1/2 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl and the 1/2 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy were also released.
The results of these draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl 1/2 Finals
1/Coleraine Grammar School v Rainey Endowed School/Down High School
2/Antrim Grammar School/Belfast High School v Limavady Grammar School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl 1/2 Finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 4th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/2 Finals.
1/Dalriada School/Banbridge Academy v Grosvenor Grammar School
2/Strabane Academy v Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/2 Finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 4th February.
On Wednesday 25th January the first of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Round of Sixteen games took place when Strabane Academy hosted Omagh Academy.
The Omagh Academy team, despite having players away with a school trip, played an expansive game and secured a 47-7 victory.
The Strabane Academy team had good performances from a number of players including Tom Logue, Brian Browne, Reuben Darragh, Max Mealiff and Nathan Russell.
The Omagh Academy team had strong performances from players such as Andrew Johnston, Ben Henry, Isaac Rainey, Peter Clements, Joshua Robinson, Conrad Hale, Jamie Mitchell and Sam Busby.
On the same afternoon one game took place in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate and two games took place in the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy.
In the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate Enniskillen Royal Grammar School travelled to and defeated Lurgan College by 40-0.
In the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy Foyle and Londonderry College hosted Royal School, Dungannon and won the game by 36-14.
Rainey Endowed School played Dalriada School and won the game by 17-10.
Once these Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv competition results were known the draws for the 1/2 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate and Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy were released.
The results of the draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup 1/2 Finals
1/Methodist College, Belfast v Ballyclare High School/Wallace High School
2/Sullivan Upper School v Campbell College, Belfast/Ballymena Academy
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup 1/2 Finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 4th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate 1/2 Finals
1/Royal School, Armagh v Coleraine Grammar School
2/Enniskillen Royal Grammar School v Belfast Royal Academy
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate 1/2 Finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 4th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy 1/2 Finals
1/Portadown College/Dromore High School v Rainey Endowed School
2/Bangor Grammar School v Foyle and Londonderry College
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Trophy 1/2 Finals MUST be played on/before Saturday 4th February
Meanwhile, in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup 1/4 Final Ballyclare High School 3rdxv played Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv in a game the Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv team won by 46-11.
In the same competition Campbell College, Belfast 4thxv played Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv in a game the Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv team won by 35-5.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 2nd Round the last remaining game was eventually played when Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5thxv hosted Royal School, Armagh 4thxv at Shaw’s Bridge, former home of King’s Scholars RFC and current home of Cooke/Instonian’s Rugby Clubs, and won the game by 34-0.
Both teams, and their coaches, would like to thank Cooke/Instonian’s Rugby Clubs for the provision of excellent facilities and hosting the game.
This result ensures that the Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5thxv team will now travel to play Belfast Royal Academy 3rdxv in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate.
In the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl Rainey Endowed School played Down High School and won the game by 26-19.
The Rainey Endowed School Medallion team will now travel to play Coleraine Grammar School in the 1/2 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl.
On Thursday 26th January Friends’ School, Lisburn hosted Ballymena Academy in the last of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round of Sixteen Medallion Shield games.
Following an exciting game of Medallion rugby the Ballymena Academy team emerged as 29-7 inners and will now host Bangor Grammar School in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield.
The Friends’ School, Lisburn team will make the short journey across the Magheralave Road where they will play Wallace High School in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate.
An interested spectator at the Friends’ School v Ballymena Academy Round of Sixteen game was an Old Scholar of Friends’ School, David Kennedy. David is currently Head of Physical Education and Movement Studies at Bangor Grammar School.
On the same afternoon Antrim Grammar School hosted Belfast High School in the last remaining game in the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl.
The Antrim Grammar School team won the game by 31-17 and will now host Limavady Grammar School in the 1/2 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl.
On Saturday 28th January a range of Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round of Sixteen, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Round of Sixteen as well as some Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 1/4 Final, and the one remaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/4 Final games, took place.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round of Sixteen eight games took place.
Ballymena Academy hosted Campbell College, Belfast in a very close game that went right to the wire when the Campbell College team converted a penalty opportunity to secure a hard-earned 13-10 win.
The Ballymena Academy team lost a couple of their original starting XV to injury in the lead up to the game.
Campbell College, Belfast started strongly and took a 10-0 lead following a try from Cameron Faith, which was converted by Matthew Rae, and a Matthew Rae penalty.
The Ballymena Academy replied with a try from Sean McKay which was converted by Tristan Ferguson to leave the half time scoreboard reading Ballymena Academy 7 Campbell College, Belfast 10.
Ballymena Academy controlled a lot of territory and possession in the second half and drew the scores level at 10-10 when Tristan Ferguson converted a penalty opportunity.
However, with the final play of the game the Campbell College team forced Ballymena Academy into conceding a penalty. Up stepped Matthew Rae to coolly slot the ball over the cross bar and between the uprights to secure a very hard-earned 13-10 victory For the Campbell College, Belfast team at the no-side whistle.
Belfast Royal Academy played Methodist College, Belfast and made the Methody team work hard for their 29-22 victory.
The Belfast Royal Academy team scored three tries through Ben Dewhurst, Scott Baxter and Jacob Burton. Ryan O’Hara added one successful penalty kick as well as two successful conversions.
The Methodist College, Belfast team scored four tries through Matthew Gourley, Tyrese Abolarin, who touched down twice, and Matthew Scott, David Armstrong added the extras to three of the tries as well as kicking one penalty goal.
Coleraine Grammar School played Limavady Grammar School and had built up a 10-0 lead by the break, before going on to record a 15-7 win.
Unconverted tries from Matthew Curry and Igor Zielinski gave the Coleraine Grammar School their 10-0 first half lead.
The Limavady Grammar School team, raised their game in the second half. On the back of good performances from Odhran Clenaghan and Ben Nutt, they reduced their deficit to 10-7 when Ethan Mullan ran in for a try which was converted by Benjamin Howe.
The Coleraine Grammar School team then scored their third unconverted try of the game when Jordan McAuley touched down to secure their 15-7 victory.
Dromore High School played Down High School in a high scoring game the Dromore High School team won by 34-22.
The Dromore High School team scored tries through Jonny Scott, Callum Bradley, Livai Naga, Ethan Dickson and Jack Allen. Nathan Hook was successful with three of his conversion kicks as well as one penalty kick.
The Down High School team scored three tries through Rhodri Philips, Ross McKee and Fionn Carey. Rhodri capped a fine personal performance with two successful conversions as well as one successful penalty.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School played Royal Belfast Academical Institution and made one of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup favourites work hard for their 29-15 victory.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team scored their points through an unconverted try from Karl Bothwell, and a converted try and penalty from Tadhg Hambly.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team scored three tries through James Clark, Josh Gibson and Alex Place. The Belfast Inst team was also awarded a penalty try. Josh Eagleson weighed in with two successful conversions as well as one successful penalty goal.
Royal School, Dungannon hosted Ballyclare High School in a very exciting game played on the WK Armstrong pitch in front of a large gathering of enthusiastic supporters.
The Royal School, Dungannon team took an early 3-0 lead and never went behind in the game they won by 24-18.
Jacob Clarke enjoyed a good day both with the ball in hand and with the ball off the tee. Jacob, Cameron Cummings and Reuben Gibson each scored a try with Jacob adding the extras to all three tries as well as successfully converting a penalty kick.
The Ballyclare High School team contributed a lot to the game. Their points came through tries from Tom McAllister and Angus Catherwood with Joel Flynn adding the extras to one of the tries as well as converting two penalty kicks.
Sullivan Upper School played Royal School, Armagh and, following a closely contested game, emerged as 8-7 winners.
The Sullivan Upper points came through a penalty from Harry McKeown and a try from Ryan Drain.
The Royal School, Armagh team scored one try through Thomas Dougan with Josh Watterson adding the conversion.
Wallace High School hosted Foyle and Londonderry College and recorded a reasonably comfortable 43-5 victory.
“Man of the Match” Sam Warwick recorded a hat trick of tries with Matthew Crowe, Charlie Beattie, Ben Armstrong and Noah McCluskey each touching down for one try. Charlie Beattie added the extras to four of the Wallace High School tries.
The Foyle and Londonderry College team played with great effort and determination throughout the game. They got some reward for their endeavours when Chris Boyd ran in for an unconverted first half try.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Round of Sixteen seven games took place.
Bangor Grammar School played Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College and recorded an impressive 43-3 victory.
Noah Courtney-Gardner, Zane Hanna, Michael Skelly, Jack Mason, Daniel Onstwedder and Alex Shaw all impressed with their performances for the Bangor Grammar School team.
Bangor Academy contributed a lot to the game. Josh Hunter, Josh Stewart, Kailen Cantley, James Montgomery and Tyler Mahaffey all impressed with their performances for the Bangor Academy team.
Dalriada School played Antrim Grammar School and won the game by 45-5.
The Dalriada School team scored seven tries through Charles Verner, who ran in for a brace, Stephen McCamphill, Angus Graham, Adam Nesbitt, Oliver Hughes and Gabriel Stubbs-Carton. Gabriel was also successful with five of his conversion kicks.
Friends’ School, Lisburn played Belfast High School and, despite going 5-0 down early in the game, got back to winning ways with a 29-17 victory.
Joel Collins, Sushruth Ramesh, Angus Crawford, James Arnold and Sam Rowlett-McCormick each scored a try for the Friends’ School, Lisburn team. Paddy Moore added the conversions to two of the tries.
Angus Crawford, and his brother, Finlay, were outstanding with their performances for the Friends’ School, Lisburn team.
The Belfast High School team was awarded an early penalty try and scored two more tries through Joey Ashby and Matthew Carvill. Daniel Bennett added the extras to one of the tries.
Grosvenor Grammar School played Lurgan College and finished the game as 26-0 winners.
Sam Bailie, Jude Anderson, Noah Price and Adam Lowey scored the Grosvenor Grammar School tries with Ross Millar adding three successful conversions.
For the Lurgan College team players such as Harry McMeekin, Aaron Geddis, Matthew Conn and Peter Bird all played with great commitment throughout the game.
Larne Grammar School played Banbridge Academy in a game the Banbridge Academy team won by 40-0.
Players such as Cian Ferguson, Sam Jackson, Thomas Patton and Jonny Dallas impressed with their performances for the Larne Grammar School team.
For Banbridge Academy Jonny McCrum, Callum Little, Ryan Matthews, Daniel Hutchinson, Andrew Jackson, Noah Bell, Ryan Hanna, Elijah Dempsey and Conor Magee all worked hard to secure the Banbridge Academy victory.
Portadown College played Rainey Endowed School in a game the Rainey Endowed School team won by 22-10.
The Portadown College team scored two unconverted tries through Mike Flack and Nathan Thornton.
The Rainey Endowed School points came through one try from Jayden Shiels with one conversion and five penalties from Owen O’Kane.
Regent House School played Cambridge Grammar School and recorded a 34-5 victory.
Nathan Bell, Caleb Lowe, Hayden Hamilton, with two, and Ben McCready scored the Regent House School tries. Zach Campbell converted two of the tries as well as one penalty goal. Josh Colville added the conversion to a third Regent House School try.
The Cambridge House Grammar School team got some reward for their efforts when Jack Oliver ran in for an unconverted try.
When the results of all these games came through the draws for the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield, the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy were made.
The draws were organised by Chris Webster from Ulster Rugby and Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Chairman, Richard Clingan.
Also in attendance were the members the Royal School, Dungannon 1stxv squad who were taking a great interest as the proceedings got round to the draw for their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/4 Final game.
The draws were conducted by Terry O’Doherty, Area Manager, Danske Bank, Dr Michelle Rainey, Principal, Ballyclare High School and Dr David Burnett, Principal, Royal School, Dungannon.
The results of the draws are as follows:-
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/4 Finals
1/Royal Belfast Academical Institution v Dromore High School
2/Wallace High School v Coleraine Grammar School
3/Sullivan Upper School v Campbell College, Belfast
4/Royal School, Dungannon v Methodist College, Belfast
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 11th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield 1/4 Finals
1/Foyle and Londonderry College, v Royal School, Armagh
2/Ballymena Academy v Ballyclare High School
3/Down High School v Limavady Grammar School
4/Belfast Royal Academy v Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 11th February

Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Finals
1/Grosvenor Grammar School v Friends’ School, Lisburn
2/Omagh Academy v Dalriada School
3/Regent House School v Rainey Endowed School
4/Bangor Grammar School v Banbridge Academy
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 11th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Round 1
1/Bangor Academy v Carrickfergus Grammar School
This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Round 1 game MUST be played on/before Saturday 4th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Finals
1/Portadown College v Belfast High School
2/Antrim Grammar School v Cambridge House Grammar School
3/Lurgan College v Larne Grammar School
4/Strabane Academy v Bangor Academy/Carrickfergus Grammar School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Final games MUST be played on/before Saturday 11th February.
In the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate Wallace High School 3rdxv overcame the challenge from Rainey Endowed School 3rdxv
Regent House School 3rdxv played Methodist College, Belfast 4thxv and won the game by 26-0.
In the one remaining Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/4 Final game Dalriada School played Banbridge Academy in a game that finished as a 7-7 draw. Hero of the day for the Banbridge Academy team was the talented Sam Leslie.
The replay of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/4 Final game should be scheduled for Tuesday 31st January with the winners at home to Grosvenor Grammar School on Saturday 4th February.