The opening match, in the sunshine at Ravenhill was the U13 Development Cup.
Between Monaghan U13s and Lurgan U13s, Monaghan had previous success in the visits to Ravenhill. This was Lurgan first trip, and a good size crowd had followed them to the final.
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The first few moments of the game saw Monaghan gain the ascendancy, but no points. Lurgan started to settling into their game, and slow ease themselves back to the halfway line.
Lurgan stole the ball at a maul and three quick sets of hands released James Paterson to score the first try on 9 minutes. Matthew Turner added another try after another 7 minutes of play. Monaghan responded with Michael Savage evaded several tackles to score, converted by Darragh Hughes. The game was picking up pace and Harry Simpson touch down to regain the gap. Harry Simpson completed a brace with another try four minutes later, to which Matthew Turner added almost immediately. The first half finishing Monaghan 7 Lurgan 25.
The speed and the pace of the game didn’t let up in the second half with Lurgan’s Dylan Mooney scoring soon after the referee Stephen Crooke had restarted the game.
Monaghan were finished just yet, with a try by David McConkey – the conversion attempt by Oisin Campbell coming back off the post. Monaghan 12 Lurgan 30.
Unfortunately Monaghan were chasing the game, and Lurgan wanting desperately to win.
James Paterson scored his second and Matthew Turner scored his third. With James Paterson converting Matthew’s try. Monaghan 12 Lurgan 42.
Fair play to Monaghan they never gave up and were rewarded with a try by Oisin Campbell.
There was no more scoring from either side, with Lurgan deservingly winners on their first trip to Ravenhill. Monaghan 17 Lurgan 42.
The Second match of the day, RB Fleming U15s Cup – between City of Derry and Banbridge. City of Derry have not had any success at Ravenhill before today, they were hoping to make amends. However Banbridge opened the scoring with a try by Matthew Beck and were controlling the game. It took a while for City of Derry to shake the journey off, but Daniel O’Driscoll crossed the line to level the scores. Following shortly by Lorcan McLaughlin try to take the lead. On the 20 minutes mark Michael Moore converted a try by Cameron Cromie to retake the lead for Banbridge. City of Derry nearly went ahead again before half time through a charge down, but in trying to gather the ball off the ground knocked on.
Five minutes into the second half City of Derry sneak into a 1 point leave with a Penalty kicked by Danny Seaman. After a passage of play around the middle of the park Danny Seaman chased a kick through, managed to win the race, kick on a bit further – before a neat pick up and a short run in for a try, which he converted himself. Robert Olphert ensure the result with a fine try to complete the game. City of Derry 25 Banbridge 12.
The third and last game of a feast of rugby was and Banbridge playing for the U17 CE Bowman Cup. The two supporting act prove a display of excellent rugby, however the headline act was a thriller.
The deadlock of the first ten minutes was broken by a successful penalty kick by Matthew McClelland for Ballynahinch. Then Banbridge took the lead through a try by Adam Doherty. Ballynahinch regained the lead when Christopher Orr scored a try converted by Matthew McClelland (Ballynahinch 10 Banbridge 5). Peter Cromie level ed the score with a unconverted try. Ballynahinch closed the first half with a try by Daniel Stanfield converted by Matthew McClelland (Ballynahinch 17 Banbridge 10).
Five minutes into the second half with Ballynahinch under pressure a poor clearance kick was snapped up by Peter Cromie to score his second try. ( Ballynahinch 17 Banbridge 15)
Both teams battled extremly hard, with very entertaining rugby – giving the game a very exciting finish. With 5 minutes of the game remaining Ben Cross edged Banbridge into the lead, the conversion kick coming back of the post. Ballynahinch pressured the Banbridge line, but Banbridge held the defensive line and manage to hang on to the slim lead.
Ballynahinch 17 Banbridge 20.
The medals for the games were presented by Mr Bobby Stewart (Chairman of the Youth Committee) and the trophies presented by Mr. Lawrence Caldwell (Vice-President of the IRFU Ulster Branch)
