Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 28th October 2023.
Despite the onset of a well-deserved October Half Term break, there were some games played both midweek and on Saturday 28th October.
Strabane Academy took the opportunity to take their senior squad players to Spain where they played games against age grade teams from Rugby Badalona and Rugby Grenoller, close to Barcelona.
Following a very closely contested game, the first game against Rugby Badalona saw the home team emerge with a 25-24 victory.
The Strabane Academy points came through tries from Cahair McGrath, Nathan Russell, Thomas Logue and Calum Kelly. Chrissy McBride was successful with two conversion kicks.
In the second game, against Rugby Grenoller, the final score was a 5-5 draw with Thomas Logue scoring the unconverted try for the Strabane Academy team.
Everyone involved in both these games really enjoyed the experience of playing against the Spanish teams. Both games were played with great spirit and a high degree of skill. The Strabane Academy players and staff were treated to tremendous hospitality both before and after the games.
With their extended senior squad away on a training camp on Monday 23rd October, a Ballymena Academy “Select” xv played the Ulster Clubs’ U17 team at the Meadowbank Stadium.
The Ballymena Academy team won the game by 27-0 and scored five tries through Tauren McCartney, Luke McCloskey, Jacob Casson, Will Coffey and Leo Kidd. Zak Fleming was successful with one conversion kick.
It was a busy afternoon if rugby on Wednesday 25th October when Belfast Royal Academy played Bangor Grammar School at 1st and 2ndxv level and Belfast Royal Academy also fielded 3rd and 4th xv teams against their Methodist College, Belfast counterparts.
The Belfast Royal Academy teams recorded comprehensive wins against Bangor Grammar School and honours were even in the games against Methodist College
At 1stxv level players such as Connor McVicker, Frank Davis, Josh Manson, Matt McLaughlin, Adam Hewitt, Aaron Brolly and Matthew McQuiston impressed with their performances against Bangor Grammar School while Paddy McClure, Cal Banyard, Adam Bickerstaff, Bryn Watson and Frazer Fulton all put in good performances for the Bangor Grammar School team.
Foyle and Londonderry College played Dalriada School in an exciting game from which the Dalriada School team emerged as 41-26 winners.
The scoreline during the game was always close until the final ten minutes of the game when the Dalriada School team ran in a number of late tries to secure their win.
The Foyle College team scored four tries through Robbie Patterson, Marcus Smith, Robert Rankin and Oliver Allen. Darwyn Nutt was successful with three conversion kicks.
The Dalriada School try scorers were Luke Stewart, Adam Bustard, Paddy Cramsie, Ben Stewart, Zach McIlhagga and Isaac Moore, who touched down twice. Three of the tries were converted by Gabriel Stubbs-Carton.
Rainey Endowed School and Cambridge House Grammar School held a 3×20 minute training game which gave both teams the opportunity to use extended squads of senior players. Everyone involved found this to be a very useful exercise with all the players involved getting plenty of pitch time.
On Friday 27th October Sullivan Upper School entertained the touring Ampleforth College team from Yorkshire.
The Ampleforth College team had already recorded impressive victories this season against schools such as Bradford Grammar School, Pocklington School, Hymers College, Hull and King Edward V1 School, Morpeth.
However, at the end of this game, it was the Sullivan Upper School team that emerged as comprehensive 38-0 winners.
The Sullivan Upper School team scored six tries with 2nd Row, Jacob McKeown, touching down for two, and centre, Harry McKeown, hooker, Josh Davidson, prop, Jake Thompson and scrum half, Ollie Keown, each running in for one try apiece. Harry McKeown was successful with four of his conversion kicks.
The Ampleforth College team will now travel to Coleraine where they play the Coleraine RFC U18 team at the Lodge Road venue on Sunday 29th October.
On Saturday 28th October Campbell College, Belfast hosted Royal School, Armagh and won the game by 14-0.
Russ Lovo and James McConnell scored the Campbell College tries with Henry Ralston maintaining his 100% successful kicking record for the season when he added the conversions to both tries.
The Royal School, Armagh team made the Campbell College team work hard for their win. Players such as Cameron Cummings, Josh Lowry, Niall Conn and Zakir Majid impressed with their performances for the visitors.
Dromore High School entertained Ballymena Academy at the Barban Hill venue. The Ballymena Academy team was on the road for their third successive game and won this game by 48-0, scoring eight tries in the process.
Ben Neely put on a “Man of the Match” performance with a hattrick of tries while Ali Carson, Mark Glenn, Stevie Bristow, Reuben Allen and Callum Irvine each touched down for one try. Robbie Coleman was successful with four conversion kicks.
Players such as Daniel Ennis-Mc Mannus, Joel Johnston and Callum Bradley impressed with their performances for the Dromore High School team.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School played Wallace High School in a close encounter from which the Wallace High School team emerged as 26-19 winners.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School players made the Wallace High School team work hard for their win.
James Morrison touched down for two tries with Toby Newman running in for a third Enniskillen Royal Grammar School try. Tadhg Hambley added the extras to two of the tries.
The Wallace High School points came through tries from Carter Thompson, Lewis Stevenson, Michael McCavery and Sam Warwick. As well as scoring his try, Lewis Stevenson was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
Foyle and Londonderry College hosted the Letterkenny RFC U18 team and recorded a 34-12 victory.
Robbie Patterson, with a brace, Jack Peace, Cahir McKay, Luke Barr-Hagar and Roco Hurl-Platt scored the Foyle College tries with Thomas Williamson adding two successful conversion kicks.
For the Letterkenny U18 team, players such as Arron Gibson, Jamie O’Carroll, Tony Gallagher, Mark Franklin and Regan Ludick impressed with their performances.
Darragh Murray and Tony Gallagher scored the Letterkenny tries, one of which was converted by Chris McCann.
Larne Grammar School hosted Antrim Grammar School and recorded a 45-5 victory.
Jonathan Dallas, Ryan McDowell, with two, Ethan Anderson, with two, Reuben Marsden and Will Millar were the Larne Grammar School try scorers with Ethan Duncan adding five conversions. Beni Tasnadi impressed with his performance for the Larne Grammar School team.
Jack McNeilly scored the Antrim Grammar School try with players such as Eoin Byrne, Peter Kane and Alexander Lynn working hard throughout the game.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution played Blackrock College, Dublin in a game the Blackrock College team won by 27-0.
Despite losing the game, players such as Blake McClean, Alex Place, Frazer Cunningham and Lorcan Donnelly impressed with their performances for the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team.
Brian O’ Flaherty, Johnny O’Sullivan, Charlie Woodcock and Charlie Moloney scored the Blackrock College tries with Conor O’Shaughnessy adding two conversions as well as one penalty.
The draw for the 1st Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup took place at Omagh Academy.
The results of the draws are as follows: –
GAME HOME AWAY
1/ Banbridge Academy 3rd XV v Methodist College, Belfast 4th XV
2/ Rainey Endowed School 3rd XV v Campbell College, Belfast 4th XV
3/ Methodist College, Belfast 5th XV v Royal School Armagh 4th XV
4/ Our Lady & St Patrick’s College, Knock 1st XV v Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5th XV
5/ Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4th XV v Limavady Grammar School 3rd XV
Bye Campbell College, Belfast 3rd XV
Bye Ballymena Academy 3rd XV
Bye Royal School, Armagh 3rd XV
Bye Belfast Royal Academy 3rd XV
Bye Methodist College, Belfast 3rd XV
Bye Ballyclare High School 3rd XV
Bye Regent House School 3rd XV
Bye Down High School 3rd XV
Bye Wallace High School 3rd XV
Bye Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rd XV
Bye Enniskillen Royal Grammar School 3rd XV
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdXV Cup games MUST be played on/before Saturday 25th November 2023.
