Banbridge Academy 1^st XV defeated Limavady Grammar 36-9 on Sat 9^th December to qualify for the last 16 of the Schools’ Cup. The five try win meant a try bonus for the Academy and as a result they topped Group E of the Schools Cup.

Going into the game the Academy and Limavady were tied on 9 points so this was a group decider and was always going to be a tight affair. The 36-9 victory was hard won however as Limavady got out to an early lead and it took 30 minutes for the Academy to fight their way into the game and then press home their advantage in the 2^nd half to take the win. Tries from Noah Bell x 2, Luke Charman, Noah Haughey and Darragh Knox alongside 4 conversions and a penalty from Andrew Jackson accounted for the 36 points.

In the previous group games Banbridge Academy had beaten Carrick Grammar 40-0 away from home and then Ballyclare High 21-0 at home to set up this group decider against Limavady.

The Academy now go into the draw for the last 16 knockout stages of the Schools Cup. The open draw will take place on Tuesday 12^th December with the fixture to be played on Sat 27^th January 2024. Whoever comes out of the hat will be a tough game as the last 16 of Ulster Schools rugby is a very competitive environment, some 36 school started out in the Schools Cup through the qualifiers and the group stages and the last 16 are all strong, competent sides so it is sure to be a great contest come late January.