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Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 9th February 2019
On Monday 4th February Strabane Academy played Wellington College, Belfast in their twice postponed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/4 Final game at City of Derry RFC. The Strabane Academy team won an entertaining game by 24-7. The Strabane Academy points came through tries from Jordan Mealiff, Jamie Browne, Reuben Orr and Gareth Duncan. Harry McCrossan was successful with two of his conversion kicks.
Marcus Smyth scored a converted try for the Wellington College, Belfast team for whom No 8, Adam Savage, had an outstanding game.
Both teams would like to thank City of Derry RFC for the provision of facilities and hosting the game.
Royal School, Armagh 2ndxv hosted Sullivan Upper School 2ndxv in their postponed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup game. The Royal School, Armagh 2ndxv team won the game by 40-14.
On the same day Belfast Royal Academy played Campbell College, Belfast in their postponed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield 4th Round game. Campbell College, Belfast won the game by 38-14.
Due to the high number of postponements of Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield, Bowl and Trophy games, Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup and Plate games and Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup and Plate games on, and during the week leading up to Saturday 2nd February, there were lots of re-arranged fixtures played during the week.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield games played on Tuesday 5th February Wallace High School lost by 5-0 at home to Coleraine Grammar School, Craigavon Senior High School travelled to Sullivan Upper School and lost the game by 38-0, Dromore High School hosted the Royal School, Dungannon in a game the Royal School, Dungannon team won by 17-14, Royal School, Armagh defeated Rainey Endowed School by 28-7, Methodist College, Belfast defeated Bangor Grammar School by 46-3, the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team recorded a hard earned 10-5 win against Ballyclare High School and Grosvenor Grammar School lost by 32-16 at home to Ballymena Academy.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl 1/4 Final games played on Tuesday 5th February Limavady Grammar School defeated Cambridge House Grammar School by 29-7 and Friends’ School, Lisburn lost by 24-12 at home to Portadown College.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/4 Final games played on Tuesday 5th February Ballyclare Secondary School lost by 6-0 at home against Larne Grammar School while Banbridge Academy hosted Regent House School in a closely contested game the Banbridge Academy team won by 15-14. Carrickfergus Grammar School hosted Foyle and Londonderry College in a game played in very difficult conditions which the Foyle and Londonderry College team won by 12-8.
When the results of all these 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, 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate, 1/2 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl and 1/2 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy competitions took place.
The results of these draws are as follows 🙂
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield 1/4 Finals
1/Sullivan Upper School v Coleraine Grammar School
2/Royal School, Dungannon v Methodist College, Belfast
3/Ballymena Academy v Royal School, Armagh
4/Campbell College, Belfast v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate 1/4 Finals
1/Wallace High School v Dromore High School
2/Rainey Endowed School v Craigavon Senior High School
3/Ballyclare High School v Grosvenor Grammar School
4/Belfast Royal Academy v Bangor Grammar School
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl 1/2 Finals
1/Down High School v Portadown College
2/Omagh Academy v Limavady Grammar School
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy 1/2 Finals
1/Larne Grammar School v Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
2/Foyle and Londonderry College v Banbridge Academy
All these Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield, Plate, Bowl and Trophy games are scheduled to be played on/before Saturday 16th February.
On Wednesday 6th February Ballymena Academy 2ndxv played Royal Belfast Academical Institution 2ndxv in their postponed Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup game. Following a closely contested game the Royal Belfast Academical Institution team emerged as 7-6 winners.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate Coleraine Grammar School 2ndxv played Cambridge House Grammar School 2ndxv and won the game by 63-0.
In the same competition Grosvenor Grammar School 2ndxv hosted Foyle and Londonderry College 2ndxv and won the game by 33-12.
When the results of the postponed games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup and Plate games were known the draws for the next stages of the competitions took place. The results of these draws are as follows 🙂
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup 1/2 Finals
1/Campbell College, Belfast v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
2/Methodist College, Belfast v Royal School, Armagh
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Plate 1/2 Finals
1/Regent House School v Portadown College/Belfast High School
2/Coleraine Grammar School v Grosvenor Grammar School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 2ndxv Cup and Plate 1/2 games are scheduled to be played on/before Saturday 16th February
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup Belfast Royal Academy 4thxv hosted Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv in a game the Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv won by 79-0.
Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv played Methodist College, Belfast 5thxv and won the game by 52-5.
When the results of the postponed games in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup and Plate games were known the draws for the 1/4 Final Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup and the next stages of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate competitions took place.
The results of these draws are as follows 🙂
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup 1/4 Final Draw
1/Royal Belfast Academical Institution 4thxv v Campbell College, Belfast 3rdxv
2/Methodist College, Belfast 4thxv v Omagh Academy 3rdxv
3/Methodist College, Belfast 3rdxv v Royal School, Armagh 3rdxv
4/Ballymena Academy 3rdxv v Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3rdxv
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Cup 1/4 games are scheduled to be played on/before Wednesday 13th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 1/4 Finals Qualifying Round
1/Banbridge Academy 3rdxv v Enniskillen Royal Grammar School 3rdxv
2/Royal School, Armagh 4thxv v Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 1/4 Finals Qualifying games are scheduled to be played on/before Wednesday 13th February
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 1/4 Final games
1/Limavady Grammar School 3rdxv v Wallace High School 3rdxv
2/Rainey Endowed School 3rdxv v Royal Belfast Academical Institution 5thxv
These two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 1/4 Final games are scheduled to be played on/before Wednesday 13th February
3/Royal School, Armagh 4thxv/Sullivan Upper School 3rdxv v Belfast Royal Academy 4thxv
4/Banbridge Academy 3rdxv/Enniskillen Royal Grammar School 3rdxv v Down High School 3rdxv
These two Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ 3rdxv Plate 1/4 Final games are scheduled to be played on/before Saturday 16th February.
On Thursday 7th February Omagh Academy hosted Portadown College in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl competition at Omagh Academicals RFC. The Portadown College team won the closely contested game by 10-7.
Both teams would like to Omagh Academicals for the provision of facilities and hosting the game.
On the same afternoon Down High School hosted Dalriada School in the remaining 1/4 Final game of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl competition. Down High School won the game by 22-17.
In the remaining 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy Belfast High School played Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in a game the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team won by 52-5.
On Saturday 9th February there were eight Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round games played.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School hosted Down High School in a game the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team won by 19-3. The Enniskillen RGS team took a 7-0 lead in the first half when a clever inside pass from John Allan resulted in Ryan Phair making a line break. Ryan was tackled but the ball was recycled quickly and a flowing Enniskillen RGS attack was finished off when Alex Parke ran in for the try. Eddie Keys added the conversion with an excellent kick. Down High School had a number of opportunities to reduce the arrears and one of these was successfully completed when Greg Hutley converted a penalty kick to leave the scoreboard reading 7-3 in favour of the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team at the break .
The second half saw the game hang in the balance for the first twenty minutes. That was until an Enniskillen RGS maul was driven from the 10m line and stopped just short of the Down High School line. From the ensuing ruck Callum Smyton got the ball in his hands and he barged his way over the Down High School line for the try. Eddie Keys added the conversion to see his team into a 14-3 lead. With just minutes remaining John Allan took full advantage of good work from his team mates before touching down for an unconverted try in the corner which secured the 19-3 victory for the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School team.
Royal Belfast Academical Institution recorded an impressive 38-0 win against a very committed Royal School, Dungannon team when the sides met in the fourth round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. The Royal Belfast Academical Institution team ran in six tries through Max Preston, Bradley McNamara, Jude Postlethwaite, Jared Waite, Rory Adair and Josh Patterson. Robin McIlveen added three conversions with Ronan Boyle adding a fourth.
Royal School, Armagh recorded a comprehensive 66-12 win against Bangor Grammar School in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. The RS Armagh team had built up a commanding 31-7 lead by the break with tries from Nicholas Jennings, Peter Taylor, Benji Boyd and Ryan Finlay. Charlie Worth converted all four tries as well as a penalty. In reply the Bangor Grammar School team scored a penalty try on the stroke of half time.
The Royal School, Armagh team started the second half strongly. With Charlie Worth and Benji Boyd dictating the course of play they scored three tries early in the half through Aaron Woods, Peter Taylor and James Brown. Charlie Worth added all three conversions to extend the RS Armagh lead to 52-7. A brief respite from constant attacks allowed the Bangor Grammar School team to break out of defence and their endeavours were rewarded with an unconverted try scored through their winger, Michael McCreery, which reduced the Royal School, Armagh lead to 52-12. However, the Royal School, Armagh team had not finished with their try scoring exploits. Michael Campbell and Jonny Agnew both touched down for one try apiece before the end of the game. Romain Morrow added the conversions to both tries to see the Royal School, Armagh team finish the game as impressive 66-12 winners.
Sullivan Upper School made Campbell College, Belfast work hard for a 19-13 victory which secured a place in the draw for the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup for the current holders of the Ulster Schools’ Cup. The Campbell College, Belfast team started the game in the best possible way. They took a 7-0 lead with only one minute on the clock when Harry Owens slipped off a couple of tackles before touching down for a try. Conor Rankin added the conversion to see the Campbell College team into the 7-0 lead. Midway through the half the Sullivan Upper team came back into the game when Conor McKee charged down an attempted Campbell College clearance kick. Conor regathered the ball and touched down duly for a try in the corner. With a superb touchline conversion Conor drew the scores level at 7-7. Further Sullivan Upper pressure forced the Campbell College team into conceding a penalty. Up stepped Conor, once again, to slot the kick successfully through the Campbell College posts and see the Sullivan Upper School team into a 10-7 lead; a lead they held until the break.
The teams turned round and the Sullivan Upper team now had any wind advantage there might have been. However, it was the Campbell College team that started the second half the stronger of the teams. Danny Williamson touched down for an unconverted try in the corner to give the Campbell College team a 12-10 lead early in the second half. This seemed to spur the Campbell College team and Conor Rankin crossed the Sullivan line for a try following a series of phase plays from the Campbell College team. Conor added the conversion to his try to extend the Campbell College lead to 19-10. Conor McKee gave the Sullivan Upper team a glimmer of hope when he converted a penalty opportunity, to reduce the Sullivan Upper arrears to 19-13, going into the final quarter of the game. However, that was to have been the last score of the game and it was the Campbell College, Belfast team that celebrated their hard earned 19-13 win at the no-side whistle.
Cambridge House Grammar School played Wallace High School in the 4th Round of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. The Cambridge House team worked very hard but there was little they could do to prevent the impressive Wallace High School team from recording a well-deserved 55-7 victory. Two tries from Luke Allison, one try each from Ben Carson, Dillon Sedge, Joel Dundas, Jack Dillon, Scott Wilson and Harry Long, plus a penalty try and four Nathan Doak conversions, accounted for the Wallace High school points.
The Cambridge House Grammar School points came through a first half try from Reece Ervine which converted by Rory McCandless.
Ballymena Academy hosted Belfast Royal Academy and had to work hard before recording their 17-12 win at the end of this Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round game. The Ballymena Academy team started the game with the wind in their backs and good game management by their half back pairing of James Wright and Ross McKay kept them on the front foot. Their attacks forced the Belfast Royal Academy into conceding penalties and Ross McKay was successful with kicks in the fifteenth, twentieth and thirtieth minutes to see the Ballymena Academy team into a 9-0 lead. Just before the break it might have been more when the outstanding Ballymena Academy full back, Matthew Corr, cut through the Belfast Royal Academy defensive line. However, a great tackle from his opposite number, Brendan Hasson, denied Matthew the opportunity of scoring and the teams turned around with the Ballymena Academy team 9-0 ahead at the break.
The Ballymena Academy team started the second half well with big carries from Harry Andrews and Adam Lamont taking them deep into opposition territory. Ross McKay added another penalty to see the Ballymena Academy team into a 12-0 lead. Then, following a well organised driven maul, the ball was recycled and released to Alex McKinney. Alex then powered over the Belfast Royal Academy line before touching down for an unconverted try which increased the Ballymena Academy lead to 17-0. The Belfast Royal Academy team then came into the game when they started to display more attacking options. Daniel Logan scored an unconverted try to reduce the arrears for the Belfast Royal Academy team to 17-5. This seemed to inspire the BRA team and they got some reward for their endeavours when Ollie Parkes ran in for a try, which was converted by Harry Warke late in the game, to reduce the deficit to 17-12. However, time was running out and it was the Ballymena Academy that went through to the draw for the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup following their 17-12 victory against Belfast Royal Academy.
Dalriada School hosted Methodist College, Belfast, the team that most people would see as favourites to lift the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup this season. Despite the best intentions of the Dalriada School team it was the Methodist College team that emerged as 47-7 winners. The Methodist College team had built up a 28-7 lead by the break with tries from Chris Larmour, David Boden, Dan Humphries and Thomas Armstrong. Ethan McIlroy converted all four tries. In reply the Dalriada School team scored a try through the impressive James McCormick which was converted by Paddy Carson.
The Methodist College team went on to dominate proceedings in the second half. They scored three tries to through Ethan McIlroy, Dan Humphries and Stephen Millar, two of which were converted by Ethan McIlroy, to secure their 47-7 victory.
Rainey Endowed School defeated Ballyclare High School by 15-12 in a close 4th Round Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup game. The Ballyclare High School team took a 5-0 lead twenty minutes into the game when Ethan Crawford crashed over for an unconverted try following a clever play off a 5m lineout. The reponse from the Rainey ES team was swift and they levelled the scores at 5-5 when Callum Donnelly crashed over the Ballyclare HS line for an unconverted try. The Ballyclare team might have scored again just before the break but good Rainey Endowed defence ensured their line was not crossed.
Rainey started the second half well and Harry Evans gave them an 8-5 lead when he converted a penalty kick opportunity. Rainey continued to dominate but it took some time before they were able to outwit a resolute Ballyclare High School defence. However, going into the last quarter of the game, Bryn Davies took advantage of a line break from Bryan Hall and he powered over the Ballyclare line for a try. Harry Evans added the conversion to put the Rainey Endowed School team into a 15-5 lead. With little time remaining the Ballyclare High School team scored a try through Jack Gamble. Adam Clarke added the conversion to take the score board to 15-12 in favour of the Rainey Endowed School team. No further scores ensured it was the Rainey Endowed School team that went into the draw for the 1/4 Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Final games Larne Grammar School played Coleraine Grammar School in a game the Coleraine Grammar School team won by 19-7. The Larne Grammar School points came through a try from Jack Withers which was converted by Euan Glenn.
Coleraine Grammar School scored three tries through Conor Potts and Cameron Leighton who ran in for two tries. Pierce Crowe was successful with two conversions.
Regent House School and Friends’ School, Lisburn played out a 44 point thriller which the Friends’ School team by 24-20. Matthew Gibson, Aaron Bailie and Samuel Attipoe each scored a try for the Regent House School team to which Stuart Martin added one conversion as well as a penalty.
Reece Malone, Fergus McEwan, Harry Reid and Jack Harte each scored a try for the Friends’ School team with Reece adding one conversion as well as one penalty.
Omagh Academy played Portadown College on Thursday 7th February in the 1/4 Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl. The Omagh Academy team took a 7-0 lead when they scored a try through Ryan Armstrong which was converted by Rory Ritchie. Portadown College then kicked a first half penalty through Adam Speers to reduce the Omagh Academy lead to 7-3 at the half time break.
The Portadown College team then sealed their 10-7 victory when, following a lineout close to the Omagh Academy line, Scott McDowell barged his way over the whitewash to touch down for a try. Adam Speers added the extras to secure the win.
Lurgan College hosted Belfast High School in a Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Final game the Belfast High School team won by 26-7. Alex Dixon scored a try for the Lurgan College team which was converted by Harry Bird.
Cameron McKimm scored two tries for the Belfast High School team with Jacob Ogle and Patrick Johnston each touching down for one try. Aaron Douglas was successful with three of his conversion kicks.
In the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/2 Final games Foyle and Londonderry College hosted Dromore High School in a game the Dromore High School team won by 17-3. Keelin Coyle gave the Foyle and Londonderry College team a 3-0 lead in the first half with a well struck penalty.
In the second half Dromore used the conditions to their advantage with half backs, Rhys Dale and Xander Lowham, putting them in the right areas of the pitch. Josh Patterson scored the first try after a great break from the half way line and Rhys Dale converted the try to give the Dromore High School team a 7-3 lead. A second try followed with Aaron Lyttle diving in the corner after good work from Richard Dickson. Rhys Dale converted excellently from the corner to increase the Dromore High School lead to 14-3. A late penalty from Rhys Dale closed the game out with a 17-3 win for the Dromore High School team.
The game involving Strabane Academy and Limavady Grammar School was postponed due to flooded pitches. This Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy 1/2 Final game has been rescheduled for Wednesday 13th February.
The final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy is scheduled for Wednesday 20th February. The venue will be decided upon when the result of the postponed semi-final game between Strabane Academy and Limavady Grammar School is known.
When the results of all the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 4th Round games and Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/4 Final games were known the draws took place for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/4 Finals, the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield 1/4 Finals and the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/2 Finals.
The draws were made by Elaine Haire, Danske Bank Brach Manager, Knock, Chris Peel, Principal of Sullivan Upper School and Chris Webster, Head of Rugby Development at Ulster Rugby.
The results of the draws are as follows 🙂
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup 1/4 Finals
1/Rainey Endowed School v Wallace High School
2/Methodist College, Belfast v Royal Belfast Academical Institution
3/Ballymena Academy v Royal School, Armagh
4/Campbell College, Belfast v Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield 1/4 Finals
1/Bangor Grammar School v Ballyclare High School
Sullivan Upper School v Cambridge House Grammar School
3/Down High School v Royal School, Dungannon
4/Belfast Royal Academy v Dalriada School
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl 1/2 Finals
1/Portadown College v Friends’ School, Lisburn
2/Belfast High School v Coleraine Grammar School
These Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup, Subsidiary Shield and Bowl games are scheduled to be played on/before Saturday 23rd February.
