Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 19th November 2011.
Once again a few midweek games were played midweek before a full list of fixtures on Saturday 19th November.
Regent House continued their recent run of good form when they hosted a very committed Bangor Grammar School team on Wednesday 16th.
Regent House played into a stiff breeze in the first half and opened the scoring after fifteen minutes when their second row, Matthew Carlton, scored far out on the right hand side of the pitch following some good work from the Regent pack. The try was not converted but the Regent House team had a 5-0 lead. After a number of phases involving forwards and backs, Regent House prop and captain, Stephen Deering, barged his way over the Bangor Grammar School line to touch down for a try. Alan Sinnamon added the conversion to put his team into a 12-0 lead. Regent spent the latter part of the half in the Bangor 22m area but unforced errors cost them a couple of scores leaving the score board reading 12-0 in favour of the home team at the interval. Bangor Grammar School began the second half in determined mood and were only prevented from scoring by some last gasp Regent House defence. The Bangor forwards achieved good field position on a number of occasions but the Regent defence held firm. Late in the game a Regent surge resulted in a try their open side flanker, Jamie McKnight. Alan Sinnamon added the conversion to bring the final score to 19-0 in favour of the Regent House team.
Wallace High School hosted a very committed Omagh Academy team minus some seven players of their regular starting XV.
The loss of these players provided the Wallace coaches with the opportunity of giving some of their fringe squad players a start on the 1stXV. Wallace High School dominated proceedings in the first half and ran in four tries with Callum Irvine, Matthew Ballantyne, Mark Gilkinson and Jordan Grattan all touching down. One conversion attempt from Peter Weir was successful to give them a 22-0 halftime lead. The Omagh team made the Wallace players work hard for possession as well as territory in the second half. Wallace High School scored one second half try through Jordan Grattan with Richard Moore adding the conversion. The Omagh team scored a try through Michael Gibson which was converted by Andy Allen to leave the final score reading 29-7 in favour of the Wallace High School team.
The Omagh Academy team toured recently in Edinburgh and played against two of the leading rugby schools in Scotland. They lost narrowly by 22-18 against Merchiston Castle School and by 24-18 against George Watson College. The tour games saw players such as Linley Ewing, Michael Gibson, Andy Allen and John Graham develop strongly in the course of the two games. The Omagh Academy squad had the opportunity to visit the Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Castle as well as take part in some rock climbing activities at the Ratho Indoor Climbing Centre.
Royal School, Dungannon played an Ulster U17 Development squad under lights at the fabulous new facilities at the Queen’s University playing fields at the Dub.
Both squads took the opportunity of playing extended squads in the course of the four sessions with the RS Dungannon players responding positively to the promptings of their captain, Andrew Clingan, and his fellow Ulster U19 player, Stephen Rodgers. The Ulster U17 players provided a stern test of the RS Dungannon credentials but could do little to stop tries from Andrew Clingan, who touched down for a hat trick, Mark Wright, Matthew Montgomery, David Davidson, William Graham and Peter Cashel. Jack Milligan weighed in with a number of conversions as did David Davidson.
Ballymena Academy made several changes to their starting XV for the visit of Belfast High School on Wednesday 16th November.
These changes seemed to affect the home team in an error-strewn opening fifteen minutes as Belfast High enjoyed some early dominance of possession as well as territory. Darren Geddis opened the scoring with a penalty to give his team a 3-0 lead. Moments later the Ballymena full-back, Jordan Foster, scored the first try of the afternoon following an excellent break from the half-way line. The try was not converted but the home team had an 8-0 lead. Ten minutes later, Ballymena secured possession from five-metre lineout and Matthew Rea touched down to extend the Ballymena Academy. This was the final score of the half and the referee’s whistle sounded with the score reading 13 – 0 to Ballymena Academy. The second half was much more one-sided as Ballymena gained control of territory and possession. Brien Mulholland started and finished an excellent move and converted his own try to put his team into a 20-0 lead. Shortly afterwards Nicholas Stirling scored an unconverted try in the corner to extend that lead to 25-0. Four more tries were scored through Calvin Kernohan, Thomas Gaston, George Hargy and Darren Geddis and, with Brien Mulholland adding three conversions, the final score read 51 – 0 to Ballymena Academy.
The Belfast High School team hosted a very strong Royal School, Armagh team on Saturday 19th November.
CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES (kindly taken and donated by Gary Benson)
Despite a very spirited display from players such as Lewis Benson and Jason Garford, there was little they could do to prevent the RS Armagh team from registering another big win. The visitors were 17-0 up at halftime with tries from Stuart Hooks, Daniel Ewart and Matthew Clarke. Alistair Wright added one conversion. In the second half the Armagh team continued in the same vein running in tries with Daniel Reaney scoring twice Daniel Ewart, Matthew Clarke and David Spratt all touching down once each. Alistair Wright converted three of the tries with Matthew Clarke converting his own try. The Belfast High School team ran in a consolation try in the course of the second half. This try was converted to leave the final score reading 50-7 in favour of the Royal School, Armagh team.
Two former school mates and Physical Education colleagues got together at Larne Grammar School when Grosvenor Grammar School came to play the Larne Grammar School team.
Jonny Lowe, the Larne Grammar School, was hosting his good friend and opposition coach, Kyle McCallen. In a scrappy first half encounter the visitors opened the scoring when their impressive No 8, Matthew Cahoon, broke from the base of a scrum close to the Larne Grammar School 22m area. His speed outfoxed the static Larne defence and Matthew was able to touch down for a try. Peter Davison added the conversion to give the Grosvenor team a 7-0 leads. Both teams were guilty of numerous handling errors which affected the flow of the game. However, the visitors did manage a second score when their captain, Stuart Smyth, took advantage of good work from his pack at a lineout. He managed to scramble over the Larne line for a try which was converted by Peter Davison to see his team into a 14-0 halftime lead. Midway through the second half, the Grosvenor team made a number of changes which seemed to spark some life into their endeavours. Paul Kennedy made an outside break from the centre of the pitch to score a try in the corner which was converted by Peter Davison to put his team into a 21-0 lead. Peter then scored a try which he converted to increase that lead to 28-0. Replacement scrum half, Stuart Baillie then got in on the act with a fine individual try which Peter Davison converted to see his team into a 35-0 lead. An intercept try from Peter Davison and a first of the season from Nick Jones, both converted by the deadly accurate Peter Davison, ensured a 49-0 victory for the Grosvenor Grammar School team.
Regent House achieved two notable victories against Sullivan Upper and Bangor Grammar School in their last two games.
However, these wins came at a cost with the Regent team picking up a number of injuries to key players. This seemed to upset the team when they travelled to play a hard working Down High School team. Down High kicked off playing with the breeze behind them and after two minutes were awarded a penalty when Regent strayed offside. Justin Rea converted the kick to give the home side a 3–0 lead. From the restart, Down High committed a similar offence to allow Regent to tie the score with a penalty in front of the posts which was converted by Alan Sinnamon. Down High regained control of the match but mistakes prevented them from adding to their total until the 23rd minute when Justin Rea kicked a second penalty from long range to give Down High a 6–3 lead, a lead they maintained until the half time whistle. In the second half Down High faced a stiffening breeze and conceded an early penalty after infringing at a ruck. Alan Sinnamon converted the penalty for Regent House to tie the score at 6-6. This seemed to act as a trigger for the Down High boys to up their game and they strung together a few excellent phases of play, retaining the ball and eventually working their way into the Regent 22m area. From a lineout, the forwards worked an impressive catch and drive and released the ball for the backs to run a well-rehearsed move which, after good work from Justin Rea, resulted in a simple try in the corner for Jamie Thompson. Justin Rea added the conversion to give Down High a 13-6 lead. Down High regained possession from the restart and, following good carries by Jack Calvert and Kelvin Hamilton, they worked their way deep into Regent territory. The home team was awarded a 5 metre scrum from which Ricky Gill danced his way over the line for a fine score which was converted by Justin Rea to take the score to 20-6. Down High played very sensible rugby to close out the game and were very good value for their 20-6 victory after an excellent team performance.
Methodist College travelled to play Coleraine Academical Institution determined to get back to winning ways following their recent defeat at home to Rockwell College.
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The Methody pack, with James Harrison, Mark Campbell, Rory Winters and Chris Gracey all working showing good form, laid the foundations for a clinical win against the Coleraine Inst team. Five minutes into the game Mark Gribben scorched in for a try which was converted by Rudolph Benade to put his team into a 7-0 lead. Five minutes later, Methody flanker David Rea, capitalised on good work from his pack to touch down for a try. Rudolph Benade added the conversion to take the score to 14-0. Midway through the first half Mark Gribben scored his second try of the game. Rudolph Benade was successful with the conversion to see his team into a 21-0 lead. Four minutes later James Gallagher added to his growing reputation when he ran in for an unconverted try to take the score to 26-0. Just before the interval Connor McKee scored another unconverted try to leave the score reading 31-0 in favour of the Methodist College team at the interval. The Coleraine AI team started the second half strongly with Thomas Pethwick and Jonathan Crowe working hard to provide quality possession. Peter Kidd and his impressive half back partner, Conor Shields, tried hard to prise open the Methody defence but it was all to no avail. Dan Bingham, the Methody 2nd Row, scored a try somewhat against the run of play early in the second half. Rudolph Benade was successful with his conversion kick to put his team into an unassailable 38-0 lead. Three minutes later James Gallagher scored his second of the game and the successful Rudolph Benade conversion took the score to 45-0. Methody No8, Chris Gracey, then got in on the try scoring act with a fine try after sixty minutes. Rudolph Benade was successful, once again, with the conversion to leave the final score reading 52-0 in favour of the Methodist College team.
Despite not having played for a few weeks, the Limavady Grammar School team managed to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a victory against Sullivan Upper in Holywood.
Both teams were missing players due to injury and non-availability which ensured that during the first half the standard of play from both teams was somewhat lethargic. The Sullivan team took the lead when the Limavady team was penalised for ill-discipline at the breakdown. Chris Hayes was successful with the penalty opportunity to give his team a 3-0 lead. Following this setback, the Limavady team took play deep into Sullivan territory and, when the home team strayed off- side, Luke Faulkner converted a penalty opportunity to draw the scores level at 3-3. A dull finish to the first half, with neither team able to create much in the way of scoring opportunities, ensured the scoreline remained at 3-3 at the interval. The second half was an all-together livelier affair. Both teams moved the ball with greater confidence and the game became a much more interesting spectacle. Sullivan won good lineout ball through their captain, Owen Glenn, on the right hand side of the pitch. The ball was moved swiftly through the hands of their back division. Ross Adair hit a great line and ghosted through the Limavady midfield defence. Unfortunately for his team, his inside pass was picked by a Limavady player who switched the direction of play to find Limavady winger, Aaron Rainey in space. Aaron set of on a run leaving a trail of despairing Sullivan defenders in his wake. He touched down for a fine individual try which was converted by Luke Faulkner to give his Limavady Grammar School team a 10-3 lead. John Fallows then ran in for a second Limavady try to give the visitors a 15-3 lead. Oliver Matthews was causing problems for the Limavady defence and following a number of missed tackles, play was taken deep into Limavady territory. From a scrum, Ross Adair hit another good attacking line to send his centre, Michael Cartmill, in for a try in the corner. The try was converted by Ross Adair to see the Sullivan team reduce the arrears to 15-10. A loose kick from the Sullivan team was dealt with effectively by the Limavady team who counter attacked from deep. A series of plays involving both forwards and backs led to Robert Lamberton seizing the opportunity and score a fine try in the corner. Luke Faulkner added the conversion to see the Limavady Grammar School team into a 22-10 lead. With little time remaining, the Sullivan team threw everything into attack and a combination of good play involving Oliver Matthews, Ross Adair, Dave Cave and Scott Finlay eventually led to a try from Robbie Montgomery which was converted by Ross Adair. It was a case of “too little, too late” for the Sullivan team, and there was no time left to prevent the Limavady Grammar School team recording their thirteenth successive victory of the season by 22-17.
Bangor Grammar School hosted Royal School, Dungannon in a game that saw the home team get back to winning ways after a series of recent defeats. Bangor Grammar School kicked three first half penalties to open up a 9-0 interval lead. The RS Dungannon team staged something of a comeback in the early stages of the second half. Peter Cashel added to his impressive play this season with another try which was converted by Jack Milligan. Jack added a penalty as well to put the RS Dungannon team into a 10-9 lead. However, slack RS Dungannon defence allowed the home team into for an unconverted try to take the score to 14-10. This was increased to 17-10 when the Bangor team converted a late penalty opportunity to leave the final scoreline reading 17-10 in favour of the Bangor Grammar School team.
The “Game of the Day” was played on the excellent Osbourne Park pitch where Royal Belfast Academical Institution hosted their cross town rivals from Campbell College.
The game was an open affair with both defences having to work hard for the duration of the game. Belfast Inst scored first with a penalty from Mark Lawlor which gave his team a 3-0 lead. Both teams brought a degree of physicality to the game and this paid off for the visitors when they scored an unconverted try close to half time. With the score reading 5-3 to Campbell College at the interval the next score was going to be important. Campbell College kicked two early second half penalties to put them into an 11-3 lead. The Belfast Inst team responded in a tenacious manner and scored an excellent try through their elusive winger, Jonny Martin. The try was converted by Mark Lawlor to reduce the Belfast Inst arrears to 11-10. The same player then put his team into a 13-11 lead when he converted a penalty opportunity with just a few minutes remaining. From the restart, the home team conceded a penalty at the contact area. The Campbell College kicker was successful with his penalty kick to see his team through to a narrow 14-13 victory in this exciting game.
A weakened Friends’ School team travelled to play Antrim Grammar School and found themselves 12-0 down early in the game.
Mark Lyttle barged over for an unconverted try for the Friends’ team after a number of good phases of play from his pack to take the score to 12-5. Antrim Grammar School ran in for a third try to increase their lead to 17-5. Shortly after this Paul Wyatt scored an excellent individual try for the Friends’ team. Peter Ferguson converted the try to take the score to 17-12. The Antrim team responded with a converted try to see the score board read 24-12 in their favour. The Friends’ team responded with a try from Peter Ferguson which he converted himself to reduce the arrears to 24-19. The Friends’ team threw everything into attack in an attempt to win the game. Ben Palmer, Andrew Spence and Jack McMullan all came close to scoring. However, the Antrim Grammar School defence held firm to ensure their 24-19 victory.
Ballyclare High School travelled to Dublin 4 to play a Blackrock College U17 Development team.
Ballyclare coach, Daniel Soper, took the game as an opportunity to play a number of his senior squad fringe players in the course of the game. The home team scored from the kick off by recycling the ball on a number of occasions and making good use of their superior physicality to crash over the Ballyclare High School for a try. The try was converted to put the Blackrock team into an early 7-0 lead. The Ballyclare High School team game into the game after this early setback but found the Blackrock College defensive set up to be both well organised and aggressive. Eventually the Ballyclare High School team found a way through when they counter attacked following a loose Blackrock College kick. An exchange of passes involving both forwards and backs opened up space for the Ballyclare High School winger, James Greer, who finished off the opportunity in style with a fine try. The try was not converted but the Co Antrim boys had reduced the arrears to 7-5. Both teams attacked at every opportunity bit there were no further scores in the course of the first half. Shortly after the restart the Ballyclare team lost their prop, Jonny Craig, to injury. The home team was penalised for an infringement and Jack Irvine made no mistake with his penalty kick to give his team an 8-7 lead. The score remained at 8-7 until the final ten minutes of the game. The Blackrock College backs made good use of possession to create an overlap in the Ballyclare High School 22m area. The home winger did not need another invitation and he touched down for an unconverted try in the corner to give his team a 12-8 lead. Undeterred, the Ballyclare High School team responded positively and Jack Irvine kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears to 12-11. With still time on the clock, Jonny Douglas made a great break through the Blackrock College defence. He was bundled into touch in the act of scoring and the opportunity appeared to be lost. However, the Ballyclare pack, with Paddy Reid working hard, stole the ball from the ensuing lineout enabling Matt Dailly to trundle over the Blackrock line for a try. Jack Irvine converted to give the Ballyclare team an 18-12 lead with just minutes remaining. The Blackrock College team mounted one last attack and scored a spectacular try in the corner. The conversion attempt shaved the outside of the upright. The no side whistle blew and the Ballyclare High School team celebrated their narrow 18-17 win in this entertaining game. Paddy Reid, Jonny Douglas, Marc Logan and Scott Barr all featured strongly for the Ballyclare High School team throughout the game.
