In the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 2 game at Carrickfergus GS it was the Carrickfergus team that emerged as close 6-0 winners over a spirited Dalriada team. Dalriada controlled possession for long periods of the game but were unable to break down a well organised Carrickfergus GS defence. The Dalriada team had opportunities to score but their place kicker had an off day. The only score of the first half came from the trusty boot of Carrickfergus GS outhalf and Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ squad member, Andrew Mc Ilroy, when he kicked a penalty following a rare Carrickfergus visit into the Dalriada 22.

In the second half Dalriada continued to control possession but it was that man Mc Ilroy again who kicked a penalty to leave the home team as relieved 6-0 winners at full time. The game was played in difficult conditions but the home team was delighted with their victory while the Dalriada team was left wondering how they did not turn the possession they had into points.

The Round 2 game, involving Larne GS and Grosvenor GS, was billed as the “Match of the Day”. Larne had defeated Grosvenor in Belfast earlier in the season but that result counted for nothing in this Cup match.

The Larne team, following their recent 3-0 victory against CAI, were in confident mood in the days before the cup. However, this confidence did not transfer on to the pitch and after a slow start Larne found themselves 6-0 behind to a well organised Grosvenor team when Scott Martin kicked two penalties in quick succession.

This setback stung Larne into action and following a driving maul from a lineout, Gary Mills crashed over for a try which was converted by full back Lee Miler to give the home team a 7-6 lead.

Shortly after this Miller increased the Larne lead to 10-6 when he converted a penalty following a Grosvenor infringement at the breakdown.

Near the end of the first half Grosvenor came back strongly when their 2^nd Row, Richard Lutton, took advantage of a mix up in the Larne defence to scramble over in the corner for a try which Scott Martin was delighted to convert.

With Grosvenor now 13-10 in the lead at half time, the scene was set for a thrilling second half. However, Larne never really got into the game making far too many unforced errors and the Grosvenor team was only too delighted to capitalise on these errors. In the final moments of the game Scott Martin stepped up to kick another penalty to put the result well beyond the home team, for whom it had been a disappointing morning.

In Downpatrick, the local Down HS entertained Bangor GS, a school with a great Cup tradition. However, this tradition counted for nothing as the home team proved too strong for the physically bigger Bangor GS team.

Patrick Jones opened the scoring for the Down team with a well taken try. However, Matthew Norton was unable to convert. Peter Wilson kicked a penalty for the visitors to keep them in the game but it was Down HS who were enjoying much more possession and who made much better use of the possession. The second half saw Down HS lay siege on the Bangor line and their efforts were rewarded when William Edgar scored a try after good work from the Down HS backline. This try was converted by Matthew Norton who also kicked a late penalty to seal an impressive 15-3 victory for the Down HS team.

Antrim GS have had one of their better recent seasons and came through a competitive Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 1 series of games to earn a home draw with Rainey ES. The large Rainey pack, with Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ U19’s player Paul Heaney to the fore, proved too strong for the determined Antrim team. Rainey took a first half lead when Ronan Mc Kernan scored an unconverted try following good work from his pack.

In the second half the Rainey team moved up a gear and increased their lead when Chris Evans took advantage of some poor home team defence to link with Paul Heaney. The Rainey Captain and Derry Minor Football star evaded a couple of despairing Antrim tackles to run in from 30 metres to score a try. This was converted by Ben Simpson to give Rainey a hard earned 12-0 victory.

The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Round 2 games involving Cambridge House and Friends’ School and Limavady GS and Lurgan College were postponed because of frost. These matches have both been rescheduled for Saturday 19^th January.

During the week, Portadown College achieved a morale-boosting win against a depleted Portora RS side. The Portadown team opened the scoring when centre Robert Reid outpaced the Portora defence to score an unconverted try. Portadown increased their lead to 8-0 when, just before half time, outhalf Ryan Hoey kicked a penalty.

Portora put on a better second half display but resolute Portadown defence restricted the Fermanagh team to a single Paul Galbraith penalty, leaving the Co Armagh team 8-3 winners.

Omagh Academy had morale boosting midweek victory against Belfast Royal Academy by 16-13.  Omagh scored through a Stephen Maclaine try which was converted by Stefan Hamilton. Hamilton kicked three further penalties to ensure an excellent home win for the Co Tyrone boys.

On Saturday 12^th there were a number of schools’ friendly fixtures played.

Ballymena Academy defeated a lively regent team by 17-0. Coleraine AI defeated RS Armagh by 21-12 while Foyle College continued their recent good run of results with a comprehensive 46-0 win against Ballyclare HS.

Belfast Royal Academy recovered from their midweek loss to Omagh Academy with a 24-5 win over Portadown College.

Methodist College recovered from their recent loss to Blackrock College when they defeated Terenure College 13-8. Paddy Jackson scored the Methodist College try which was converted by Paddy Robinson. Robinson added two penalty goals to ensure victory for the Belfast team.

RBAI entertained Sullivan Upper at Osborne Park. The Holywood visitors made Inst work very hard for their 14-10 victory. Indeed, it was Sullivan who were on the attack only to turn the ball over following a lineout which allowed Inst player Nathan Barnett to gain possession and score a runaway try. This was converted by Josh Pentland to put RBAI 7-0 ahead.

Despite this setback, Sullivan continued to attack the Inst line but were thwarted on a number of occasions by a very well organised Inst defence.

Early in the second half Sullivan Captain, Michael Pennick, kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears to 7-3 in favour of Inst.

On a rare incursion into the Sullivan 22, Inst right wing Stuart Mc Allister crashed over for a try which was converted by Josh Pentland to put the Belfast team 14-3 ahead.

Once again Sullivan came back strongly and after a driven maul following a lineout, Sullivan No 8 Alex Newton touched down for a well deserved try which was converted by Pennick. With the score at 14-10 in favour of Inst, the Sullivan team tried their hardest to cross the Inst line in the remaining few minutes of the game. Their efforts were all in vain as the Inst defence held firm to leave Inst as narrow winners at the no side whistle.

Games involving RS Dungannon and Banbridge Academy, Campbell College and St Gerard’s, Bray as well as Omagh Academy against Ulster Youth all fell victim to the overnight frost.