Banbridge Academy 1st XV should be very proud of their Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup campaign again this season. The squad qualified for the final 16 of the Ulster Schools’ Cup after finishing top of their qualification group. Victories against Royal School Dungannon, Dalriada School and Omagh Academy ensured their final 16 spot and a unique opportunity to play Sullivan Upper at the Kingspan Stadium. The Banbridge Academy 1st XV battled hard in some of the worst conditions imaginable at the home of Ulster Rugby, but a couple of missed opportunities allowed Sullivan Upper the win which meant Banbridge Academy now entered the quarter final of the Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield, along with some top seed teams such as Campbell College and Methodist College. Banbridge Academy were drawn at home against Enniskillen RGS. This turned out to be an enthralling match with two sides who desperately wanted to keep their season alive. It was a well worked team try, finished off by Peter Lewis that sealed the semi final spot for Banbridge Academy in the last play of the match. A home draw against Methodist College was the next challenge and one that the coaches and players were excited about.

With plenty of home support behind them, Banbridge Academy took an early 5-0 after a clever cross field kick from Andrew Jackson was caught by Ethan Houston as he dived over the line. MCB responded with a try at the other end to equalise. Further pressure from the visiting side meant they took a 10-5 lead but Banbridge Academy did not drop the heads and sustained pressure allowed Miles Mawson over and the conversion from Andrew Jackson gave control back to Banbridge Academy. The experienced MCB side fought back hard and  the lead changed hands again. At 12-17 Banbridge Academy were mounting another attack after defending a period of sustained pressure, but a breakaway try for MCB gave them a 12-24 lead and the pressure was now on Banbridge Academy to try and find a  way to turn the scoreline around. MCB scored their fourth try, however the Banbridge team refused to give up on a place in the final, fighting back to close the gap to 19-29 with a Noah Haughey try. Unfortunately for the home side, there was no more time left for any further attacks and MCB sealed their win and a place in the final against Campbell College.

It is great to see Banbridge Academy continuing to build on their quarter final Ulster Schools’ Cup achievements last season and new coach Gareth McClintock is excited at the prospects coming through the different year groups of the school, guided by the dedicated coaching staff at all ages.

1st XV Squad

1. Alex Andersson
2. Calum Little
3. Adam Jones
4. Conor Patton
5. Jonny Howard
6. Miles Mawson/Noah Bell
7. Noah Haughey
8. Ryan Hanna
9. Max Ireland
10. Andrew Jackson
11. Ethan Houston
12. Arturs Jonuss
13. Caleb Cromie
14. Peter Lewis
15. Sam Leslie
16. Luke Wills
17. William Kennedy
18. Calum McMurray
19. Fynn Niblock
20. Gordon Porter
21. Jonny Reid
22. Nazie-James Mulligan
23. Theo Wan
24. Matthew Christie

Coaches:

Gareth McClintock

Charlie Farrell

Robert Ervine

James Campbell