Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 30th October/6th November 2021
Despite all our schools taking a well-deserved half term break some 1stxv friendly games were played over the holiday period.
On Tuesday 26th October Dalriada School hosted the Austin Friars School team from Carlisle in Cumbria and the Dalriada School team won a closely contested game by 27-24.
The Dalriada School team scored tries through Peter Donaldson, Jack Adair, Aaron Johnston and Adam Nesbitt with one conversion each from Paddy Cramsie and Gabriel Stubbs-Carton, who also kicked one penalty.
On Wednesday 27th October Foyle and Londonderry College then welcomed Austin Friars School to the Maiden City.
The Austin Friars team won this game by 26-19 with the Foyle College points coming through tries from Finn McDonnell, Alan Thomas Mason and Sam Robinson. Adam Killeen was successful with two conversions.
On Saturday 30th October Foyle and Londonderry College played Dalriada School in a game the Foyle and Londonderry College team won by 25-19.
The Foyle and Londonderry College team scored four tries in the course of the game. Robbie Patterson touched down for two with Sam Robinson and Tyreece Smith each touching down for one try. Adam Killeen added the extras to one of the tries as well as kicking a penalty goal.
Peter Donaldson scored an excellent individual try to open the Dalriada account with Luke Stewart adding the conversion. Peter then scored a second try for the Dalriada School team but this one went unconverted. Charles Verner took advantage of some great work from the Dalriada pack before he touched down for a try which was converted by Luke Stewart.
Meanwhile, in Enniskillen, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School hosted Wallace High School in another closely contested game the Wallace High School team won by 21-14.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team opened their account with a try from Jack Courtney, which was converted by Darragh Love, to give his team a 7-0 lead.
Wallace High School replied with a try from Ben Armstrong and the Charlie Beattie conversion drew the scores level at 7-7.
The Enniskillen RGS team then gained a 14-7 lead when Reece Holmes ran in for a try, which was converted by Darragh Love.
The Wallace High School team once again responded positively to the second Enniskillen Royal Grammar School try.
A Philip Kennedy try, converted by Charlie Beattie, levelled the scores at 14-14. This was followed by a fine individual try from Ethan Dunbar, once again converted by Charlie Beattie, which secured the 21-14 victory for the Wallace High School team.
On Wednesday 3rd November six Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup games took place.
In a Section 1 game Ballyclare High School hosted Belfast Royal Academy in an entertaining game the Ballyclare High School team won by 31-20.
Ballyclare High School scored five tries through Jacob Scarlett, who touched down for a hattrick, Daniel Graham and Charlie Lloyd. Matthew McCourt was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
The Belfast Royal Academy team scored three tries through Matthew McQuiston, who scored a brace, and Jonathan Beck. Rex Henderson added two conversions as well as a penalty.
Wallace High School and Campbell College, Belfast played their final Section 1 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup group stage game on a cool afternoon at the Magheralave Road venue. Campbell College won the game by 24-7.
Jack Dougherty scored the Wallace High School try with Lewis Stevenson adding the conversion.
Campbell College scored three tries with Josh Bunting touching for two and Joshua McGimpsey running in for one. Ryan Davies added three conversions as well as a penalty.
Meanwhile, in Magherafelt, the Rainey Endowed School U16 team played the Royal School, Armagh team in a Section 2 game.
The final score ended up as Rainey Endowed School 11 Royal School, Armagh 17. The Rainey Endowed School points came through a try from Rossa Bell and two penalties from James Cappell.
The Royal School, Armagh points came through tries from Kai Sterritt, Jack Walbran and Ashton Clark with one conversion coming from the boot of Archie Johnston.
Dalriada School played Banbridge Academy in the other Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup U16 Section 2 game and, following another closely contested game, it was the Dalriada School team that emerged as 15-10 winners.
Adam Bustard scored two tries for the Dalriada School team with Gabriel Stubbs-Carton adding one penalty as well as a conversion.
The Banbridge Academy U16 team points came through a try from Luke Charman with Daniel Hutchinson adding one conversion as well as a penalty goal.
Down High School and Dromore High School played out the last of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Section 2 games with the Down High School team emerging as 24-10 winners.
The Down High School team scored four tries in the course of the game. Matthew Foster ran in for a brace with Carter Burns and Alex Carville each scoring one. Jonathan Russell was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
Dromore High School scored one try through Chris McBride with Sam McElroy adding one conversion and one penalty goal.
In another Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Section 2 game Enniskillen Royal Grammar School played Omagh Academy in a game the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team won by 31-14.
The Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team scored tries through Jamie Brown, James Trotter, Toby Newman, who touched down for two, and Cameron Smyth. Tadhg Hambley was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
The Omagh Academy team put in a very committed performance and got some reward for their endeavours with two tries from Callum Doherty both of which were converted by Isaac Rainey.
The results of these Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Section 2 Cup games ensured that the Dalriada School U16 team will play the Royal School, Armagh U16 team in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Section 2 competition on Wednesday 17th November. The venue will be the excellent Belfast Royal Academy pitch at Roughfort with a 2-00pm kick off.
On Friday 5th November Royal School, Dungannon hosted Rainey Endowed School on the excellent floodlit Stevenson Park pitch at Dungannon RFC. The Royal School, Dungannon team continued their impressive start to the season with a 55-0 victory against a very committed Rainey Endowed School team.
The game was played in front of an enthusiastic group of supporters which included Keith Patton, a true King’s Scholar, who has coached to good effect, over many years, at the Royal School, Dungannon, Ulster Schools, Irish Schools and Queen’s University RFC.
The Royal School, Dungannon team scored nine tries in the course of the game. Alfie Lewis, with two, Alex Kennedy, James Girvan, Jacob Clarke all scored in the first half of the game, with three James Girvan conversions giving the RS Dungannon team a 31-0 lead at the break.
In the second half of the game, despite the best efforts of Rainey Endowed School players such as Nathan Quigley, Mikki Kelly and Jack McCavana, the Royal School, Dungannon team went on to score four more tries. Alfie Lewis completed his hattrick, James Girvan completed his brace and Ethan Carberry and Ryan Evans touched down for one try apiece. Two more James Girvan conversions secured the 55-0 victory for the impressive Royal School, Dungannon team.
Bothy teams would like to thank Dungannon Rugby Club for the use of changing facilities and the excellent floodlit pitch at Stevenson Park.
On Saturday 6th November the two semi-finals in Section 3 of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup took place.
Limavady Grammar School hosted Portadown College and won a closely contested game by 17-12.
The Limavady Grammar School points came through tries from Ethan Mullen, Ethan Taylor and Scott Hawthorne. James Laird was successful with one conversion.
The Portadown College U16 team scored two tries through Jamie Jackson with John Speers adding one conversion.
In the second semi-final Regent House School played Foyle and Londonderry College and won the game by 17-13.
David Hunter took advantage of good work from his pack before touching down for a try which Matthew McBride converted to see the Regent House team into a 7-0 lead. Foyle College replied with a try from James Benbow, which was converted by Robert Rankin, to see the scores draw level at 7-7. A successful Robert Rankin penalty then put Foyle College into a 10-7 lead. This became 10-10 just before the break when Matthew McBride was successful with a penalty kick for hid Regent House team.
The start of the second half saw the Foyle College team regain the lead when Robert Rankin put them 13-10 ahead with another successful penalty kick. Strong pressure from the Regent House pack then paved the way for a try from Zeki Kaya and the successful conversion from Matthew McBride secured the 17-13 victory for the Regent House School team.
The results of these Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Section 3 semi-finals ensured that Limavady Grammar School will play Regent House School in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Section 3 competition on Wednesday 17th November. The venue will be neutral and will be confirmed as soon as possible.
Both teams would like to thank Ards Rugby Club for the use of changing facilities and an excellent pitch at Hamilton Park.
In a Section 1 Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup game Ballyclare High School and Ballymena Academy played the last of their group stage games.
The Ballymena Academy team dominated proceedings against a very committed Ballyclare High School team and won the game by 49-0. Tom Coulter and Mark Glenn each scored a brace of tries with Reece Williamson, Callum Mustoe, Hayden Smyth, Michael McLean and Sean McKay each running in for one try. Robbie Coleman and Ali Carson each added one conversion.
Belfast Royal Academy played Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the last of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Section 1 group stage games and, despite the best efforts of a very committed Belfast Royal Academy team, it was the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team which emerged as 17-5 winners.
Ethan Pavlovic scored a superb unconverted try for the Belfast Royal Academy team.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team scored three tries through Toby Stewart, who touched down twice, and Ethan Clydesdale. Angus Carson added the extras to one of the tries.
Sullivan Upper School and Methodist College, Belfast met in their final Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Section 1 group stage game and it was the Methodist College team that emerged as convincing 47-7 winners.
Thye Sullivan Upper School points came through a converted try from Jake Thompson which was converted by Harry McKeown.
The Methodist College team scored seven tries through Jack Tindal, Lewis Doherty, Ben Gillen, Dylan Torrens, Gabe McConkey, Oliver Neill and Harry Malangani. Jack Tindal was successful with six of his conversion kicks.
The results of these Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Section 1 group stage games ensures that Ballymena Academy will play Methodist College, Belfast in the final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U 16 Cup Section 1 competition on Wednesday 17th November at the Kingspan Stadium.
At 1stxv level a series of friendly games took place on Saturday 6th November.
Ballyclare High School played Sullivan Upper School in a game the Ballyclare High School team won by 19-0.
The Ballyclare High School team had built up a 14-0 lead by the interval with tries from Luke McIlwrath and Alex Darragh. Callum Cochrane converted both tries.
An unconverted try from Tom McAllister in the second half secured the 19-0 victory for the Ballyclare High School team.
Bangor Grammar School hosted Belfast Royal Academy in a game the Belfast Royal Academy team won by 38-12.
The Bangor Grammar School team points came through two tries from Callum Campbell and Ben Goldthorpe one of which was converted by Callum Campbell.
The Belfast Royal Academy team scored six tries with Liam Davis scoring two and Ben Lonsdale, Reuben McCrea, Callum Savage and Aaron Gooderham touching down for one try each. Ryan O’Hara was successful with four of his conversion kicks.
Campbell College, Belfast played Royal School, Armagh and won a very competitive game by 17-0. Dillon Parks, Matthew Booth and Zac Solomons each scored a try with Peter Cave adding two conversions.
Carrickfergus Grammar School played against a Ballymena Academy Senior “Select” xv in a game the Ballymena Academy xv team won by 19-12.
The Carrickfergus Grammar School team scored their points through tries from Noel Logan and Noah Downie with one conversion from Ellis Branagh.
The Ballymena Academy team points came through three tries from “Man of the Match”, Lewis Mewha, who scored a hattrick. Connor Cosgrove added the conversions to two of the tries.
Coleraine Grammar School entertained their near neighbours from Dalriada School and recorded a comfortable 60-12 victory.
Rory Telfer scored three tries for the Coleraine Grammar School team and added five successful conversions to his tally. Cian McCullagh and Benji Logan each scored a brace of tries with Toby McClarty, Matthew Curry and Harry Hughes each touching down for one try.
The Dalriada School team scored two tries through Charles Verner and Andrew Gilmore with Gabriel Stubbs-Carton adding one conversion.
Down High School played Banbridge Academy in a game the Banbridge Academy team won by 22-19.
Down High School scored three tries through Ross Graham, Cameron McCaughey and Joe Dooley. Ross Graham added the extras to two of the tries.
The Banbridge Academy points through a penalty from Ryan Matthews, two tries from Matthew Daly, a try from Tom King and two conversions from Ryan Matthews.
Dromore High School travelled to Dublin to play the renowned Belvedere College team and, despite losing the game by 38-14, the players and coaching staff were delighted with the positive performance the team put in against one of the top school teams in Leinster Schools’ Rugby.
In a very even first half Matthew Heasley and Reuben Copes each scored a try for the Dromore High School team with Nathan Hook adding both conversions.
Friends’ School, Lisburn played a Royal Belfast Academical Institution Senior “Select” xv and won the game by 19-7.
Joel Barron, Ben McBurney and Finlay Crawford each scored a try for the Friends’ School team with Paddy Moore adding two conversions.
Limavady Grammar School played Larne Grammar School and recorded a comprehensive 58-0 win.
Ben Nutt scored three tries for the Limavady Grammar School team with Joe Caldwell touching down for two. Dylan Campbell, Eunan McLaughlin, Conor McClelland and Dylan McAuley each scored one try in the course of the game. Benjamin Howe was successful with five of his conversion kicks as well as one penalty.
Methodist College, Belfast made the journey to Clane in Co Kildare where they played against Clongowes Wood College and came away with their undefeated record this season still intact following a 33-25 victory against the Leinster Schools’ kingpins.
The Methodist College team scored five tries with Lorcan Hanratty, Barry White, Michael Crothers, Benjamin Neill and Ben McFarlane all touching down. Ben capped a fine personal display with five successful conversions.
Omagh Academy played Lurgan College on an excellent pitch at the recently refurbished Campsie Playing Fields and won the game by 21-5.
The Omagh Academy team had taken a 14-0 lead into the interval with tries from Reece Braden and Daniel Armstrong both of which were converted by Andrew Johnston.
This became 21-0 after the restart when Henry Dunbar touched down for a try which Andrew Johnston converted.
The Lurgan College team displayed great skill and commitment throughout the game and got some reward for their endeavours when Peter Bird skipped in for an unconverted try in the corner close to the end of the game.
Portadown College played Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in a game the Enniskillen RGs team won by 24-12.
Max Boyce and Sam Herbert each scored a try for the Portadown College team with Adam Neill adding one conversion.
Darragh Love, Harry Ingram and Reece Holmes, with two, were the Enniskillen RGS try scorers with Tadhg Hambly adding two conversions.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution entertained Blackrock College, Dublin at Osborne Park in an exciting game the Blackrock College team won by 19-0.
