While this weekend mainly saw action from the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 and the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy and Bowl competitions, there were also a number of important games played during the week.

In the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy replay, involving Friends’ and Lurgan College on Monday 4th February, it was Friends’ who emerged as eventual winners after a tough uncompromising game. They took the lead after only three minute when their centre, Matthew Nesbitt, powered his way over the Lurgan line for a try that was converted by Keith Allen.  Both teams played through an entertaining first half with no further scores, until close to half time, when Friends’ No 8 John Vance picked up from the base of a scrum to score a try that was again converted by Keith Allen. This gave the home team a 14-0 half time lead.

After the restart Lurgan came storming back to take advantage of some poor Friends’ defence. Full back, Gregg Harrison kicked a penalty, which was closely followed by a Brett Kirk try as a result of a charge down. Harrison subsequently converted to reduce the arrears to 14-10. After 25 minutes, Friends’ enjoyed some well- used possession, enabling right wing Ryan Robinson to run in unopposed for a try, which Keith Allen then converted to give his side an eleven point lead. Undeterred, Lurgan once again attacked the home line and eventually James Andrews stormed his way over for a try which Gregg Harrison converted. This saw the arrears reduced to just four points. The Lurgan team laid siege to the Friends’ line, but the home defence held firm despite the best efforts of James Andrews, the Lurgan centre. The result was a place in the semi final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy for Friends’ where they will travel to play Dalriada.

In the replay of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Round 3 game, involving Limavady GS and Down HS, Down HS stormed into a 14-0 half time lead in a game witnessed by a large crowd at the Ballyquin Road venue. However, Limavady came back strongly in the second half, and 5 minutes after the restart, replacement outhalf Matthew Haslett, (filling in for the injured Mark O’Connor) put points on the board when he kicked a penalty.

The Limavady pack then began to control proceedings and this paved the way for an Andrew Moore try midway through the second half. Haslett converted the try to reduce the arrears to 14-10. The same player then made a break through a static Down defence to score a try which he converted himself to leave his team as winners. Limavady will now travel to play Grosvenor GS in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Round 4 game.

In the “Match of the Day” between RBAI and Campbell College at a packed Osborne Park, it was Campbell College who emerged as winners after a tough encounter with the Inst team. It was a case of both defences coming out on top in the opening stages of the game, with both packs and half backs aiming to provide a territorial advantage for their backs to work from. Patrick Irwin had an opportunity to open the scoring for Inst, but his penalty attempt fell just short. Shortly after this, Irish Schools’ squad member, James Mc Kinney missed with a long range penalty attempt. Just before half time Campbell College scored a try through Matthew Armstrong, as a result of some good work from skilful centre, Michael Scholes and bustling winger Andrew Dickson. James Mc Kinney was deadly accurate with his conversion from the touchline to give Campbell College a 7-0 half time lead.

Mc Kinney controlled the game in the second half, keeping his pack going forward, and bringing his backs into play when the circumstances were right. The Inst team had several opportunities to score in the latter stages of the game, but a well- organised Campbell defence; in which Ben Mc Donnell was outstanding, kept the Campbell line intact, and allowing them to progress to the quarter final stage of the Cup.

Royal School Armagh hosted Banbridge Academy in Armagh, and it was their first half performance that laid the foundation for a well-earned victory. Playing into the elements in the first half, the Armagh boys scored two tries through left wing Chris Colvin. Richard Reaney added one conversion to give his team a 12-0 half time lead.

Banbridge Academy came back strongly in the second half and put pressure on the Armagh defence. Eddie Pepper and Jonathan Simpson were stopped just short on a couple of occasions, allowing the home team a number of opportunities to clear their line. Richard Reaney displayed his full range of kicking skills when the opportunity arose, successfully converting three penalties for his team leaving the Armagh boys worthy 21-0 winners.

Limavady GS had to make a quick recovery following their tough midweek encounter with Down HS in the Round 3 replay when they travelled to Belfast to play Grosvenor GS. Unfortunately for the young Limavady team, they were unable to control the powerful Grosvenor pack, in which Robin Coates played a Captain’s role. Inspired by their Captain’s leadership, the Grosvenor pack provided an ample supply of ball to bring their backs into action at every opportunity. They led 24-0 at half time, with three tries from Mark Atkinson and two from Simon Fullerton, as well as three conversions and a penalty from Scott Martin. The result now became a foregone conclusion.

In the second half scrum half Matthew Fitzsimmons took full advantage of quick ball supplied by his pack to touch down for a try. Andrew Kelly added a try of his own while Mark Atkinson displayed his running skills to score his second try of the match. Scott Martin added two more conversions, leaving Grosvenor as comfortable 43-0 winners, despite the impressive performances of Limavady GS No 8 Richard Robinson and centre Josh Lewis.

Perhaps one of the biggest upsets of the Round 4 games was witnessed at Coleraine AI. Here, the home team; who have displayed fine form in recent weeks; were beaten by a very committed Regent House team. Regent scored a charge down try through Stephen Hutchinson, with Neil Armstrong adding the conversion. Armstrong also kicked a penalty. Coleraine replied with a Robbie Mc Master drop goal and a Michael Griffith penalty, leaving the Newtownards team deserved 10-6 winners.

Despite the pre – match build up Belfast Royal Academy were unable to handle the strength and speed of the Ballymena Academy team. The first half was fairly evenly contested with Ballymena taking the lead through a Ricky Andrew try, which was then converted by scrum half Alan Mc Cluggage. What appeared to be a perfectly good try for BRA was disallowed near the end of the first half, leaving the Ballymena team 7-0 ahead at half time.

In the second half Ballymena Academy totally dominated proceedings, despite the best efforts of Academy’s Blair Nangle and Ricky Huddleson.
Irish Schools’ outhalf, Luke Marshall scored a try after his team had taken a quick penalty. Mc Cluggage converted this try to put his team 14-0 ahead. 2nd Row powerhouse, Craig Mc Kervill scored his team’s third try which again was converted by Mc Cluggage before Rick Andrew rounded of a good morning’s work when he scored his second try. Luke Marshall added a penalty to leave the Ballymena Academy team 29-0 winners.

Rainey ES were playing their first home match of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign, hosting Ballyclare HS. The Magherafelt boys seemed confident about putting on a good performance, but had not reckoned on the influence that Ballyclare HS winger, Jim Neill would have on the game. Ballyclare dominated the opening exchanges with their pack, providing a good supply of ball that enabled Ballyclare HS outhalf Robert Smyth to dictate the course of the game. Robert kicked a penalty to give his team an early lead. Ballyclare HS maintained their positive start when Jim Neill ran in for the first of his tries.

However, the Rainey team never gave up, and with Paul Heaney and Melvin Scott working hard; the Rainey team were able to gain some territorial advantage in the latter stages of the first half. All the hard work was rewarded when Ben Simpson converted a difficult penalty attempt to reduce the arrears to 8-3 at half time. This boosted the home team who started the second half strongly. However, somewhat against the run of play, Jim Neill scorched in for his second try following good work from Jordan Annett. This put Ballyclare HS 13-3 ahead. In the closing stages of the game, Neill scored his third try, which was then converted by Robert Smyth, to leave the Ballyclare HS team as comfortable 20-3 winners.

Wallace HS started strongly in their tie with Omagh Academy, taking a 12-3 half time lead. Tries from James Thompson and Chris Knox, along with a conversion from Wayne Hughes, put the Lisburn team 12-0 ahead.
Just before half time, Omagh Academy reduced the arrears with a well- struck Stefan Hamilton penalty.

In the second half Omagh came back strongly with Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ U18 squad member and Captain, David Mc Farland leading the way. His two tries gave his team a 13-12 lead. Wallace responded to this setback with a Wayne Hughes penalty to put them back into a 15-13 lead. In an exciting finale it was the Tyrone boys who had the last say, when Stefan Hamilton converted a touchline penalty to leave his team as 16-15 winners.

It was always going to be a difficult task for Sullivan Upper, when they hosted perennial Schools’ Cup favourites Methodist College in Holywood. Their cause was not helped when they lost influential back row forward Alex Newton with a serious collar bone injury after only ten minutes. It was the Methody pack that laid the foundations for their success. With their back row of Adam Macklin, Fabien Laroche and Stephen Leckey in rampant form, it was very difficult for Sullivan to get any quality “go forward” ball. On the rare occasion that they did, the Sullivan team was not afraid to run the ball against a well- organised Methody defence. Captain, Michael Pennick was at the centre of all the positive aspects of Sullivan’s game.

Methody’s scores included two from Adam Macklin, one each from Fabien Laroche and Stephen Leckey, and two from Irish Schools’ Hooker, Niall Annett. Niall’s second try would certainly be a contender for “try of the season” when he ran from a full sixty metres out, displaying all the evasion skills of a three quarter to score at the Sullivan posts. Centre, Paddy Robinson contributed with four conversions, as well as a penalty to leave Methody worthy 36-0 winners.

In the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Bowl Quarter Final, Cambridge overcame the challenge provided by Portora RS by 24-10. Once again, it was full back, Roger Mc Burney who provided their attacking flair. He scored three tries, with Glen Scott kicking all three conversions as well as a penalty to ease the Ballymena team into the semi final of the Schools’ Bowl competition.

In the remaining Bowl fixtures, RS Dungannon made Foyle + Londonderry College work very hard for their 21-3 win in Dungannon, while elsewhere,  Portadown College defeated a tired Down HS team by 25-18. Carrickfergus GS defeated near neighbours Belfast HS convincingly by 31-13 to claim a semi - final spot.

In the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Semi Final, Dalriada had to work hard to fend off the challenge provided by Friends’ School. The Friends’ team lost their free- scoring centre Matthew Nesbitt to injury just prior to kick off.  Dalriada took the lead after just two minutes when a disorganised Friends’ defence allowed Dalriada outhalf, Lee Ballentine to run in unopposed for a try. Ballentine converted this try to give his team an early 7-0 lead. Despite this setback the Friends’ team never gave in. With their scrum and lineout working well, half- backs Robert Hall and Keith Allen kept the Lisburn team going forward. After ten minutes Keith Allen brought the Lisburn team back into the game with a penalty from the half way line to reduce the arrears to 7-3. Both teams played the ball through the hands, with forwards and backs from both sides well involved.

After the restart it was the Dalriada team who had more of the territorial advantage, and nine minutes into the second half, Dalriada opened up the Friends’ defence to enable prop, William Flynn to trundle in for a well constructed try. Lee Ballentine added the conversion to give his team a 14-3 lead. The Friends’ team came storming back with Captain John Vance and Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ U19 Development squad member, Jonny Scott both leading their team impressively. Replacement Oliver Mairs scored a try after 11 minutes, with Keith Allen adding the conversion. The Friends’ team laid siege to the Dalriada line but the home team was well organised. Following an exciting final quarter, which saw Friends’ come close on a number of occasions; it was Dalriada who emerged as winners to take their place in the final. Both teams contributed highly to an exciting and entertaining game.

Larne GS, current holders of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy, hosted a resurgent Antrim GS in the second Semi Final. Antrim GS started well, playing into the wind, and might have scored on a number of occasions had it not been for a very well organised Larne GS defence. Against the run of play, Larne took a 3-0 lead when Lee Miller converted a penalty. This encouraged his team to take the game to Antrim, and it was now the visitors who were forced to defend. Eventually the Larne team scored through Captain, Rhys Thomas who crashed over for an unconverted try after 30 minutes. In the latter stages of the first half, Larne scored two further unconverted tries through Alex Christie and Stuart Mc Ilwaine, to give them a comfortable 18-0 half time lead.

An injury to an Antrim GS player shortly after the restart did not help their cause and the Larne team was able to score two further tries through Rhys Thomas and Daniel Garston. Lee Miller added the conversion to leave his team as worthy 30-0 winners. Larne GS are now in a good position to contest the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Trophy Final for the second year in succession.