Dromore High School Win Northern Bank Under 16 High Schools' Trophy Final

Dromore HS have beaten Slemish College at Ravenhill today to lift the Northern Bank High Schools' Trophy. They currently hold the record for having won the competition the most times out of any team.

MATCH REPORT

On a day which lended itself more to tight five rugby, both sides played out an exciting game of rugby with Dromore showing more quality in attack to eclipse Slemish College and lift the Cup in front of their large travelling support.

The game started strongly for Slemish with some stellar work in the scrum resulting in a penalty for their side. They elected to have a kick at goal with David McWhirter just missing the target with a well kicked attempt. This early scare sprung Dromore into life and after some astute kicking from scrum half Lee Steenson and a great steal at the lineout they were close to the Slemish try line. After some great ball carrying from Captain Andrew Black, Steenson nipped in to pick up from the ruck and dive over the line before anyone could tackle him. The scrum half then dusted himself off, and converted his own try with a magnificent conversion kick which made the scoreline Dromore 7 - 0 Slemish in the 7th Minute.

Dromore didn't rest on their laurels after the opening try, they pushed on with ferocious work at the breakdown making sure Slemish didn't get any rest. In the 16th minute Dromore won a lineout within the Slemish 22, before they mauled over the line with number eight Tom Jess getting the touchdown to score. The conversion was a tricky one and it was just short of the posts from Steenson.

Steenson was having a fine game, and his kicking was crucial to keeping Slemish pinned back in their half. To his credit Slemish full back McWhirter was assured under the high ball, and looked to run everything back with intent. In the 23rd minute Slemish got a penalty after their man was taken out chasing his own kick, this was within kicking range and McWhirter again was just wide of the mark with his penalty attempt.

The Dromore players again took this as a warning sign and strong mauling from the forwards took them into the Slemish half. The Dromore backline then showed a moment of magic with a lovely switch move involving centre Alastair Lappin and out-half Chris Davidson, before Davidson released full back Harry Warren to sprint over for the try. Another missed conversion left the score line at half time of Dromore 17 - 0 Slemish.

The second half started with both sides looking to feel each other out, with both teams looking to kick for territory. There was some excellent tackling from both sides, and it was after a huge hit from Dromore that caused a Slemish player to knock on in the centre of field. Steenson picked the loose ball up just past the half way line, noticed space down the blind side and took off, outpacing the Slemish players before touching down for his second try of the day.

Support from both sets of supporters was superb, with the Slemish support providing constant backing to their side throughout the game. It was the Dromore crowd which had reason to celebrate again in the 47th minute after a flowing backs move which went right through centre Lappin before coming back left where it was finished by substitute winger Morrison.

Slemish to their credit displayed a never-say-die attitude throughout the game, and they took the fight back to Dromore, storming back up the field and winning penalty after penalty within the Dromore 22. They finally got the score their efforts deserved in the 55th minute with winger Nathan Storer going over for the score after a blindside break from the scrum. A fantastic conversion was kicked by out half Brian Mulholland and the scoreline was Dromore 27 - 7 Slemish.

The final five minutes were played at a breakneck speed with both sides digging deep and showing remarkable stamina and drive. It was Dromore who were to have the final say with a break down the right resulting in a try for centre Jonathan Rowland in the last minute. Steenson capped his fantastic display with another excellent conversion to finish what was a convincing display from the Dromore side.

Dromore were deserving winners of the game with a fantastic display of attacking rugby and it was a very proud Andrew Black who raised the trophy at the end of the game.

Dromore High School Team: 15 Harry Warren, 14 Matthew McDonald, 13 Jonathan Rowland, 12 Alistair Lappin, 11 Ryan Hewitt, 10 Chris Davidson, 9 Lee Steenson, 8 Tom Jess, 7 Andrew Patton, 6 Nathan Jones, 5 Stephen Arneil, 4 Matthew Martin, 3 Andrew Black (Capt), 2 Robert Poots, 1 Luke Gurlett

Replacements: 16 N Bolton, 17 N Allen, 18 R Corbett, 19 J Andrews, 20 A Sleator, 21 L Morrison, 22 R Cobb

Scorers: Steenson - 2 Tries, Jess - Try, Warren - Try, Morrison - Try, Rowland - Try, Steenson - 2 Conversions

Slemish College Team: 15 David McWhirter, 14 Bryan Gourley, 13 Phillip Clements, 12 John Gilkinson, 11 Nathan Storer, 10 Brian Mulholland, 9 David Nelson, 8 James Davidson (Capt), 7 Gareth James, 6 William Smith, 5 James McNee, 4 Andrew Millar, 3 Troy Wilson, 2 Thomas Meehan, 1 Joel Mullan

Replacements: 16 A Burns, 17 S Mackay, 18 C McGlade, 19 C McCambridge, 20 J Houston, 21 G Keernohan

Scorers: Storer - Try, Mulholland - Conversion

Referee: Jonny Gillespie
Touch Judges: Brian Lyle & John King

Report by Colin McGloin