Larne GS took the opportunity to go on tour to British Columbia on the beautiful west coast of Canada. The Larne team got the tour off to a good start when they won their first game against Mc Robert’s High school in Vancouver by 38-15. Following this successful start the tour party made the short but spectacular ferry journey across to Vancouver Island where they would play the remaining two games of the tour. In the first of these games the squad members were the quests of Cowichan Rugby Club, a club well known to the famous King’s Scholar’s RFC tour squads of ’69, ’75 and ’80. The Larne team was playing against the Cowichan U18 team who are current British Columbia champions and would provide a stern test for the Co Antrim team. The Larne team responded magnificently to the challenge and full back Lee Miller put on a man of the match performance when he scored four tries. Daniel Garston and James Mitchell added one try each with Miller converting five of the six tries to leave the Larne team as convincing 40-0 winners. The tour party having experienced the tremendous hospitality provided by the Cowichan Club, moved on to the Velox RFC. The visitors put on yet another fine display of attacking rugby to win the final game of their tour by 33-0. Lee Miller helped himself to another three tries with Brian Blair and James Mitchell adding one try each. Miller completed his impressive tour tally when he kicked four conversions. The Larne team received tremendous hospitality throughout their tour and all members of the party returned home with a lifetime of memories. All their games were watched by big numbers of ex pats, including quite a few former pupils of the school. The players and management were delighted with the support and hospitality they received throughout the tour. Coaches Jonny Lowe, Stephen Snoddy (himself a visitor to Cowichan with KSRFC) and Jimmy Christie will now endeavour to make best use of this successful tour to enable the Larne team to mount a serious challenge in the forthcoming Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup competition.

Limavady GS travelled to play Dalriada in Ballymoney. Both teams were less than full strength due to the holiday break. It was the home team who took an early lead with a well struck penalty after ten minutes. The visitors responded positively to this setback when centre Jonathan King cut through the home defence to score at the posts leaving Mark O’Connor with the relatively simple task of converting the try to give his team a 7-3 lead. Limavady further increased their lead when Ryan Johnston was obstructed as he was chasing a kick through and the referee awarded a penalty try. This was converted by Mark O’Connor to put Limavady 14-3 ahead. The last ten minutes of the first half produced a try for Dalriada when their winger crossed on the left hand side for an unconverted try. Limavady then crossed on the right hand side through centre Josh Lewis for an unconverted try to leave them 19-8 in the lead at half time. The second half was played at a much slower pace. With Limavady well in control there was only one further score when the visitor’s full back Ryan Johnston cut a good line to outpace the home defence to score a try. Mark O’Connor converted to leave Limavady GS comfortable 26-8 winners.

Methodist College had a well deserved break from action following their defeat of Munster lynchpins Rockwell College by 20-8 the previous week. This game was marked by the return to action of Adam Mackiln who had picked up a hamstring injury some four weeks ago. This injury kept Adam  from participating in the recent U19 Interprovincial series but doubtless the Irish U19 management team will follow Adam’s progress with keen interest. MCB full back Michael Allen is making a very good recovery from his injury sustained against Munster Schools’ U18’s. It seems that it will not be long before Methody have a full squad to choose from.

Wallace HS hosted a Portadown College team that has had a successful recent run of results. Wallace won comfortably by 35-12 to halt the progress of the Co Armagh team.

RBAI and Foyle & L’Derry College were able to play with their returning Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 and U19 players. The Foyle team, with Ulster Schools’ U19 scrum half Andrew Semple displaying impressive form, made the Belfast team work hard for their 34-15 win.

RS Armagh recovered sufficiently from their recent defeat at the hands of RBAI to inflict a rare defeat on the ever improving Sullivan Upper.The Armagh boys won narrowly by 19-16.