Ulster Rugby vs Llanelli Scarlets

DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP: THE STORY SO FAR…

PRELIMINARY ROUND In a pre-Christmas match, Antrim GS brushed aside the challenge of Strabane Academy to register a 26-7 triumph and book themselves a place in the competition. FIRST ROUND There were impressive results for Banbridge Academy (45-0 v Antrim GS), Portadown College (5-16 v Friends’) and Foyle College (37- 10 v Larne GS). RS Dungannon crashed out at the first hurdle at the hands of another previous winner, Regent House (13-7), while Limavady GS just edged Wellington College (10-5) SECOND ROUND A young Down HS side showed their potential in gaining a 24-5 win over Rainey Endowed, with the impressive Zac Ward, son of former Ireland international, Andy, notching two tries. BRA suffered a surprise second round exit at the hands of Carrickfergus GS, going down 17-8, while Portora RS recorded a narrow 6-0 win over Banbridge Academy. THIRD ROUND The eight top seeded teams entered the competition at this stage, with Ballymena Academy pitted against title holders Methodist College and last year’s beaten finalists Sullivan Upper playing host to Campbell College. Methody trailed at one point but fought back with a powerful display to win 10-18. Campbell surprised many with a 0-13 win over Sullivan, with captain Rory Butler to the fore. Another seeded side, RBAI, demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned with by brushing aside Regent House 36-0. Wallace also entered the competition with a bang, coming away from Enniskillen with a comprehensive 0-30 win over Portora.

Coleraine AI had to work hard for their away win against Down HS, recovering from a 22-7 deficit to triumph 28-34. Oliver McDowell got two second half tries to complete the comeback. A late missed conversion by Limavady GS meant RS Armagh scraped a 12- 14 win and progress to the last eight. Ballyclare HS proved too strong for Bangor GS (17-5) and the same was true of Omagh Academy at Tries from skipper Lewis McNamara, Ethan Harbinson, Ben McGavock saw RBAI register a 23-0 over RS Armagh at Osbourne Park. The result means that they progress to the semis having scored 61 points and conceded none following their previous win over Regent. Coleraine Academical Institution, playing in their last home Schools’ Cup game before the amalgamation with Coleraine HS to form Coleraine Grammar School, held off a strong Omagh Academy challenge to win 22-9. Daniel Coulter, Robert Lyttle and captain Saul Herdman crossed the whitewash to seal a 14-20 win for Methody away to Belfast rivals Campbell College. The visitors had raced into a 0-15 lead but tries from Campbell’s Jack Barry Glendinning and Malcolm Corry were reward for a better second half showing. Wallace HS remain undefeated this season after grinding out an away win against Ballyclare HS. Two Andrew Cardosi penalties and a try by Andrew Irvine was enough to secure a 3-11 success. Carrickfergus GS (7-26) QUARTER FINALS

SCHOOLS’ CUP

UlsterBranch

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