In the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup final played at Ravenhill on Monday 17th March, there was a good crowd present to witness the “Blue Riband” occasion of the Ulster Schools’ Rugby season. Methodist College and Regent House contested this free flowing game in perfect underfoot conditions.

Methody dominated the first half proceedings with a strong scrum, a very effective lineout and a backline willing to move the ball at every opportunity. The Belfast team was well in control by halftime leading by 15-0. Regent found it difficult to deal with the pace of the Methody backline and centre Michael Allen in particular.

Michael opened the scoring for Methody finishing off a fast backline attack where he found himself in possession on a number of occasions. Inspirational powerhouse captain, Adam Macklin added a second Methody try in the first half with the lively Paddy Robinson kicking a penalty and conversion.

Regent displayed a very positive attitude throughout the game but they were living off scraps of possession, especially from their lineout. Jeff Anderson, Paul Armstrong, Jonny Patterson, Craig Mc Coy and Neil Armstrong all displayed great courage in the face of adversity but there was always only going to be one winner, as Methody extended their lead in the second half.

Michael Allen scored his second try with Rory Morris and Paddy Robinson both touching down as well. All three second- half tries were converted by Paddy Robinson, leaving Methodist College as 36-0 winners of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup.

In the last of the schools’ seasons Northern Bank sponsored finals, Wallace HS and Portora RS played out the 2ndXV Plate final at Dungannon Rugby Club on Wednesday 19th March. Both teams seemed to be suffering a little from end of season blues and the game ended with an 8-8 draw.

Larne GS enjoyed their usual end of season trip to the prestigious Yorkshire Schools’ Festival of Rugby Tournament held in Wakefield on Saturday 15th March.
The Larne GS party travelled to Yorkshire on Friday and had sufficient energy to take in the Leeds Rhinos v Harlequins Super League match on Friday evening. The tournament took place on Saturday and the Co Antrim boys found themselves grouped with Silcoates Grammar School, Ermysted’s School from Skipton and Hipperholm GS.

In the first match against Hipperholm, the Larne team recorded a well deserved 24-0 victory. Tries from Ryan Maybin, Rhys Thomas, Lee Millar and Daniel Garston, as well as two Millar conversions accounted for the Larne scores. In their second group game against Silcoates GS, the Larne team suffered a setback going down by 10-0 despite controlling the game in the second half.

In their final group game against Ermysted’s, the Larne team got back to winning ways recording an impressive 39-0 win. The Larne scores came from Alex Christie who scored two tries, Nathan Barry, Stuart Mc Ilwaine, Ryan Maybin, Tom Christie and Jordan Brownlee who all scored one try each. Lee Millar kicked two conversions.

Larne had qualified for the semi finals where they were drawn to play Wilmslow School from Manchester. Larne recorded another very good victory, winning by 27-0. Tries from Ryan Anderson, Ryan Maybin, Lee Millar along with two from Nathan Barry as well as a Lee Millar conversion enabled the Larne team to reach the final.

In the final they met Silcoates School once again. Despite their best endeavours the Co Antrim boys were unable to overcome the challenge from the Yorkshire School who ran out as 20-0 winners at the end of the tournament.

This was another successful venture for the Larne GS team to this tournament. Over recent years the Larne team has appeared in a number of semi-finals and finals as well as winning the tournament on a number of occasions.