Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Round Up Saturday 1st March 2008 The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup replay featuring Methodist College and Campbell College took place at Pirrie Park on Wednesday 27th February. Early in the game, both teams had opportunities to put points on the board but, unusually, both Methody’s Paddy Robinson and Campbell’s James Mc Kinney missed penalty kicks. It wasn’t until midway through the first half that the teams were separated when Methody ran the ball from deep in their own half to find hooker, Niall Annett, and Number 8 Adam Macklin in a lot of space. Both players displayed good handling skills to put left winger Ryan Morris away on a charge for the Campbell line. Despite the attentions of the bustling Campbell right winger Andrew Dickson, Morris squeezed over for a try. Once again, Paddy Robinson was wide with his conversion attempt. From the restart, Campbell failed to control the ball allowing Paddy Robinson to attack deep into Campbell territory. His well timed pass sent impressive centre Michael Allen through to score the second Methody try to give his team a 10-0 lead. Despite these setbacks, the Campbell team displayed great commitment and started to gain some territory. From a driven line out close to the Methody line Campbell came close to scoring but were held up just short. A James Mc Kinney penalty attempt fell just short close to half time leaving Methody 10-0 ahead at the break. After the restart the strong Methody pack started to deny Campbell any worthwhile possession, allowing their backs the keep pressure on the Campbell line. Sean Conway, Michael Scholes, Andrew Dickson and Philip Lunn all displayed heroics in defence but it was only a matter of time before the Methody team scored again. This time it was Paddy Robinson who picked a great line to score a try close to the posts. This time he added the conversion leaving his team deserved 17-0 winners at the no side whistle. The Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield Semi Final game involving Banbridge Academy and Coleraine AI was played on Saturday 1st at Banbridge. With both teams at full strength the scene was set for an entertaining game. Jonathan Simpson, Eddie Pepper and Ryan Bentley worked tirelessly for the home team but the Coleraine team, with Angus Warwicker, Jason Bloomfield, Jonny Shiels and Richie Mc Master all in top form, proved too strong for them. Coleraine AI won by 32-7 to reach the final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield competition. The second semi final involving RBAI and Sullivan Upper will be played on Monday 3rd March @ 2-30pm. Friends’ School, Grosvenor GS and Carrickfergus GS got together to play an U17 tournament in Lisburn. All three teams were looking towards next season and took part in a very enjoyable morning’s rugby. Despite losing the services of star outhalf Keith Allen to injury, the Friends’ boys played with great skill and commitment, especially their three Form Four players, Patrick Pringle, Rory Mc Ivor and Michael Cochrane. The experienced Fifth Form trio of David Mc Guigan, Alisdair Trimble and Craig Ross also showed up well. For Carrickfergus GS Andrew Mc Ilroy was their outstanding player with Adam Moore, Chris Patton, Jonny Mc Ilwaine, Russell Stockman and Mark Gordon all playing leading support roles. The Grosvenor team relied heavily on the power and strength of No 8 Andrew Kelly and flanker Aaron Kirkpatrick to give them go forward ball. Half back Michael Dawson and centre Chris Colhoun took advantage of this with some telling runs deep into opposition territory in the course of the morning. Meanwhile, at Cameronian Drive, the Grosvenor GS Medallion squad hosted the Port Perry HS U15 squad from Ontario, Canada. The Canadians are on a short development tour in the Province playing against Grosvenor GS, Regent House, Larne GS and RS Armagh at Medallion level. The squad will have gained much from their game against Grosvenor Medallion despite losing the match. Results from various Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ competitions. Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Cup Semi Final Campbell College 5 Methodist College 36 RBAI 25 Ballymena Academy 10 Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield Semi Finals Regent House 10 Ballymena Academy 8 Methodist College 12 RBAI 21 Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ 2nd XV Plate Semi Finals Limavady GS 12 v Wallace HS 17 Sullivan Upper 8 v Portora RS 16 Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Trophy Semi Finals Larne GS 22 Cambridge House 5 Antrim GS 19 Downshire School 19 Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate Quarter Finals RS Dungannon 20 Belfast Royal Academy 22 Omagh Academy 6 Wallace HS 13 Coleraine AI 8 RS Armagh 5 Limavady GS 3 Foyle + Londonderry College 10 Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Plate Semi Finals Belfast Royal Academy v Wallace HS This match will be played on Monday 3rd March Foyle + Londonderry College v Coleraine AI This match will be played on Tuesday 4th March Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Medallion Bowl Semi Finals Banbridge Academy 21 Dalriada School 12 Rainey ES 0 Belfast HS 10 The final of the competition will take place on Saturday 8th March