Ulster Rugby v Munster

DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP UPDATE

The Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup continues this week, with seven games due to be played in Round 2 of the famous competition.

of the home defence which somehow managed to survive the early onslaught. Then it was the turn of the Carrickfergus GS team to go the offensive. They took the game to Strabane and forced the visitors into conceding a lot of territory, possession and penalties, but were unable to capitalise, leaving the sides deadlocked at the interval. The second half saw a similar situation develop with both sides experiencing difficulties in putting any meaningful phases together in the opening exchanges. However, with just ten minutes or so remaining the game really came to life. The Strabane Academy team won possession at the breakdown and threw the ball around to good effect. A slick backline move finished off when their full back, Jamie Brown, hit a great line to finish the attack with a try close to the posts. Jordan Mealiff added the extras to see his Strabane Academy team into a 7-0 lead. This setback seemed to spark some life into the Carrickfergus GS team. Good interplay involving both forwards and backs presented Jack Leathem with the opportunity to run in for a try, which was converted by Daniel Curley, to draw the scores level at 7-7. With time running out it was the Carrickfergus GS team that was next to score. Josh Irvine took advantage of some good work from his pack and rumbled over the line to touch down for the try. Daniel Curley was, once again, successful with the conversion to give the Carrickfergus GS team a 14-7 lead with just a minute remaining on the clock. The last play of the game saw the gallant Strabane Academy team mount one last attack. They moved the ball around to good effect and Michael Doherty capped a fine personal performance with a try in the corner. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, the final whistle blew and it was the Carrickfergus GS team that celebrated their hard earned victory.

Following some weather disruption, the 2017/18 competition eventually kicked off on Wednesday 13th December when Belfast High School recorded an away win over Wellington College. ROUND 1 The Belfast High School team took an early 3-0 lead when Brandon McMinn converted a penalty opportunity. Wellington College then took a 5-3 lead when Marcus Smyth took advantage of good work from Jake Hamilton before touching down for an unconverted try. Midway through the first half the Belfast High School team took a 10-5 lead when Thabiso Madlala cut a great line and ran in for a try which was converted by Brandon McMinn. There were no further points scored in the first half. Two early second half tries from Ethan McConkey and Jack Ferguson, one of which was converted by Brandon McMinn, gave the Belfast High School team a 22-5 lead. The Wellington College team then went on to control the final quarter of the game and got some reward for their endeavours when James Milligan scored a fine try. Jake Hamilton converted the try with a touchline conversion to leave the final score reading Wellington College, Belfast 12 Belfast High School 22. ROUND 1 CARRICKFERGUS GRAMMAR SCH 14 STRABANE ACADEMY 12 WELLINGTON COLLEGE 12 BELFAST HIGH SCHOOL 22

SCHOOLS' CUP UPDATE In the other Round 1 fixture, Carrickfergus Grammar School accounted for Strabane Academy on Monday 18th December, in a repeat of a game that took place at the same stage of the competition last season.

The Strabane Academy team started the game strongly and forced the Carrickfergus GS team into making a lot of early mistakes. Ralph Mealiff, Jordan Mealiff and Michael Doherty all asked questions

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