There was one postponed Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 3 game involving Cambridge House and Ballyclare H.S. played on Saturday
2nd February.

It took a Robert Smyth inspired performance to safely guide his Ballyclare team through a potentially tricky encounter with Cambridge House in the postponed 2nd Round game in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup. Despite missing some very influential back row players through injury, it was the home team who set the early pace in this intriguing encounter. Star full back, Roger Mc Burney displayed all his strength and pace, running in from 50 metres, to score a try for his team after only seven minutes. This try was converted by Glenn Scott to put the Ballymena team 7-0 ahead. Both teams worked hard in difficult underfoot conditions to keep the ball alive but the game was mainly contested in the middle of the pitch. In the closing stages of the first half, Ballyclare H.S. levelled the score when centre Craig Andrews ran in for a well worked try which was converted by out half Robert Smyth.

In the second half the visitors pack started to wear down their Cambridge House counterparts, providing the quality ball for the Ballyclare backs to work with. Out half Smyth had a hand in all three Ballyclare 2nd half tries, scoring one himself in the latter stages of the game, after team mates Matthew Hopper and Jim Neill had scored one try each. Smyth completed his tally for the day with a conversion and penalty to leave his team as deserved 27-7 winners. This was a good performance from the Ballyclare team who will fancy their chances of an upset when they travel to play Rainey ES in the 4th Round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup on Saturday 9th February.

The 3rd Round replay involving Limavady GS and Down HS was postponed due to problems with the Limavady GS pitch. This replay will now take place on Wednesday 6th February at the Ballyquin Road venue.

Despite the sudden snowfalls on Friday evening, which affected some games, there were still a number of friendly fixtures that took place on Saturday. Ballymena Academy travelled to Holywood to play Sullivan in a controlled game. This plan worked out well for both teams with each side getting valuable preparation time prior to their Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 games on Saturday 9th. Ballymena outscored their Sullivan hosts in a series of 3 x 20 minute games.

Bangor GS entertained Wallace H.S. at Ballymacormick Road. With good conditions underfoot the Wallace team was able to record a convincing 24-5 win against the Bangor team. Wallace scored their tries through Chris Knox, James Thompson, Robin Harte and Connor Mc Bride. Wayne Hughes added two conversions. Bangor had a converted try scored by Peter Mc Bride in reply.

Meanwhile in nearby Newtownards, Regent House entertained Larne GS and recorded a hard earned 12-5 win. In a closely contested first half Regent took the lead through a Johnny Patterson try. Neil Armstrong was just short with his conversion attempt. After the restart Larne came back strongly and scored a fine unconverted try through fullback Lee Miller. Just as things looked as if the game was heading for a draw, a Regent player charged down an attempted Larne clearance kick and the Regent pack rumbled over for a converted try to ensure the Regent team a home win against a very determined Larne GS team.

Belfast HS played Antrim GS and won a close encounter by 18-12. It took a converted try in injury time for the High school team to be assured of victory.

Methodist College against Rainey ES, RS Dungannon against Carrickfergfus GS and RS Armagh against Omagh Academy were all games which fell victim to the sudden snow fall on Friday evening.