bangorgrammarschool.org.uk

2014 DANSKE BANK SCHOOLS’ CUP SECOND ROUND

- - - - - - - - 25 / 01 / 2014

GROSVENOR PLAYING FIELDS, BELFAST

VS

Grosvenor Grammar School

Bangor Grammar School

Programme Credits

Editor: Simon Hull

Pictures & Analysis: Giles Strutt

Columnists: Jamie Fulton, Jason

Morgan, Phil Broderick,

Contributors: Adam Brennan,

Roger Sexton

5 MINUTES TO SPARE?

The coaching staff couldn't be

happier with the way this young side

has developed over the course of the

season.

We have taken confidence in some

credible victories, and have also

learned valuable lessons in closing

out matches and letting a couple go

we should have won.

Grosvenor are a side we respect, and

we will respect them by trying to

play to our potential and deliver a

performance worthy of the occasion

that the Schools’ Cup presents each

of our teams.

Jason Morgan

1st XV League Rankings

POS SCHOOL PL PTS

1. Coleraine 18 24pts 2. Rainey 16 24pts

3. Sullivan 14 22pts 4. R.B.A.I. 12 22pts

5. Armagh 15 22pts 6. Belfast High 13 20pts

7. Limavady 13 19pts 8. Wallace 14 18pts

9. Ballymena 16 18pts

10. Bangor 17 17pts 11. Banbridge 18 17pts

12. Down High 12 16pts 13. Dalriada 15 15pts

14. Lurgan 10 15pts 15. Methody 08 14pts

The season has had its ups and downs

this year. Some great wins against

some of the best sides in Ulster Schools

have shown us what we can achieve

during our School’s Cup Campaign.

Also, the Newcastle Tour around 2

weeks ago has helped us to prepare for

a hopefully successful School’s Cup.

Looking ahead to Saturday, I feel this

is a match that we can perform well

at, and come away with a win.

Grosvenor have also had an up and

down season, and with us yet to play

them so far this year, there is nothing

much that I can say about them. I

know all the boys will be up for the

match and will put in a full perfor-

mance.

It is always difficult to travel away for

a Schools Cup fixture, however, the

support that should hopefully show up

for us on the day will give us a boost

of confidence and pride. I hope that all

the boys are back from injury, and

everyone is up for the game, to help

secure ourselves a stop in the 3rd

round of the Cup.

Phil Broderick

The 2014 season sees the

first major structural

change to the Danske

Bank Schools’ Cup since

its reformatting ahead of

the 2004 event.

The old first round saw

two teams drawn in a

p r e l i m i n a r y s t y l e

qualifier, before joining

eight more teams in the

second round. This time,

the first two rounds have

been merged.

The Ulster Schools’ Cup

is the second oldest

rugby competition in the

world, having been

staged on 137 occasions.

The competition has

shown itself to be the

perfect platform for any

aspiring player to put

themselves in contention

for a future rugby career.

The holders Methodist

College, the most

successful team in the

competition’s history,

are the clear favourites

for success on St.

Patrick’s Day. The

contenders, led by

R.B.A.I. will undoubted-

ly give them a run for

the currently navy

ribbon clad cup.

This season has seen a

changing of the guard

behind the top two.

Campbell, cup winners

as recently as 2011 are a

team in trouble having

suffered defeats at the

hands of Wallace,

B a n g o r , R . B . A . I ,

Sullivan and Ballymena.

At the other edge of the

spectrum, Belfast High

have put in some fine

performances including a

margin of victory

against Regent of 90 pts.

But, the pressures of

knockout rugby can do

strange things to a good

team.

We wish each school and

player the best as they

embark this journey. All

participants deserve

credit for the relentless

training and sleepless

nights which the

Schools’ Cup brings each

year.

ADVERTISEMENT

RED CARDS 2013/14: 2

YELLOW CARDS 2013/14: 4

13 5

7

1

FOUNDED: 1945

PRINCIPAL: Mr R. S. McLoughlin

SCHOOLS’ CUP RECORD

WINS: 1 (83)

RUNNERS UP: 0

2014 1st XV KEY PEOPLE

COACHES: Mr K. McCallan

Mr A. White

CAPTAIN: Jamie McMullan

LAST SEASON

ROUND 3: Grosvenor 10-14 Dalriada

THIS SEASON

ROUND 1: Grosvenor 43-12 Cambridge

KEY PLAYER

Jamie McMullan

Captain

1856 :FOUNDED

Mrs E. Huddleson :PRINCIPAL

SCHOOLS’ CUP RECORD

(69, 78, 85, 86, 88) 5 :WINS

(79, 81, 87, 95) 4 :RUNNERS UP

2014 1st XV KEY PEOPLE

Mr J. Morgan :COACHES

Mr P. Cartmill .

Phil Broderick :CAPTAIN

LAST SEASON

Portadown 3-20 Bangor :ROUND 3

Bangor 17-5 Belfast High :ROUND 4

Bangor 0-25 Royal Armagh :QT FINAL

KEY PLAYER

Ross McCloskey

Inside Centre

16 8

1

7

FOUNDED: 1945

PRINCIPAL: Mr R. S. McLoughlin

SCHOOLS’ CUP RECORD

WINS: 1 (83)

RUNNERS UP: 0

2014 1st XV KEY PEOPLE

COACHES: Mr K. McCallan

Mr A. White

CAPTAIN: Jamie McMullan

LAST SEASON

ROUND 3: Grosvenor 10-14 Dalriada

THIS SEASON

ROUND 1: Grosvenor 43-12 Cambridge

KEY PLAYER

Jamie McMullan

Captain

1856 :FOUNDED

Mrs E. Huddleson :PRINCIPAL

SCHOOLS’ CUP RECORD

(69, 78, 85, 86, 88) 5 :WINS

(79, 81, 87, 95) 4 :RUNNERS UP

2014 1st XV KEY PEOPLE

Mr J. Morgan :COACHES

Mr P. Cartmill .

Phil Broderick :CAPTAIN

LAST SEASON

Portadown 3-20 Bangor :ROUND 3

Bangor 17-5 Belfast High :ROUND 4

Bangor 0-25 Royal Armagh :QT FINAL

KEY PLAYER

Ross McCloskey

Inside Centre

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With such an impressive

record in the preceding

years, it is perhaps not

surprising that the start of

the ’88 Schools Cup

campaign began with the

usual mixture of high

hopes, expectation and

confidence despite some

patchy performances

earlier in the year.

With myself and seven

other players surviving

the team who had been

narrowly beaten in the

previous year’s final,

there was an added

resolve and determination

to bring the cup back

home.

After a bye in the first

round we comprehensive-

ly beat local rivals

Sullivan 32-5 scoring a

hatful of tries in the

process. Next came a

hard fought 9-3 win

away to Campbell

College which was

particularly pleasing

since they had been

one of the early

season defeats. This

set up yet another

semi-final trip to

Ravenhill where we met

Omagh Academy in a

repeat of the ‘85 final.

Although we were the

stronger team and

dominated possession

throughout, it took two

late tries to secure the

17-4 victory, resulting in a

fourth successive final.

To play in the St.

Patrick’s Day Schools

Cup Final has to be the

m o s t m e m o r a b l e

achievement for any

rugby playing schoolboy.

And so, on the 17th March

1988, I was fortunate

enough to play in my

second final against

Coleraine A.I.

The noise created by both

sets of supporters as the

teams took to the pitch

was deafening. And yet

there were no signs of

nerves, rather an air of

calmness, confidence and

determination that we

wouldn’t lose this one.

Straight from the kick-

off Coleraine were under

pressure and conceded an

early penalty that was

converted by out-half

Simon McKenna. In the

tenth minute Richard

01 Jonathon Mawhinney 02 Neil Taylor 03 Chris Kerr 04 Garth Beattie 05 Richard Wilson 06 James Hanna 07 Sean Crowther 08 Ian Cook 09 Robert Scott 10 Simon McKenna 11 Gareth Anderson 12 Mark Ellesmere 13 Stephen Mann 14 Roger Sexton 15 Nicky Young

Photographs from left: Stephen Mann scores

the winning try, the victorious Grammarians,

and Roger’s winners medal.

Wilson tapped down

lineout ball near the

Coleraine line that

was gathered by

hooker Neal Taylor

who dived over for

the first try of the after-

noon, giving Bangor a 7-

0 lead. Towards the end

of the first half excellent

pressure from flankers

Sean Crowther (Capt) &

James Hanna on the

Coleraine out-half forced

him to concede a 5-metre

scrum. The resulting

ball was flashed along

the backs to outside

centre Stephen Mann

who glided through the

Coleraine backs to score

the second, and decisive

try, that was converted

by McKenna to make

the score 13-0 at half-

time.

Coleraine came out with

renewed vigour in the

second half but missed a

number of kickable

penalties and despite

some bouts of sustained

pressure and possession,

never really looked liked

scoring as Bangor’s

defence was always up to

the task.

Through the afternoon,

t he Bangor pack

outscrummaged the

heavier Coleraine pack

with the front row of

Chris Kerr, Taylor &

Jonathon Mawhinney

dominating their coun-

terparts. It was ironic

then that Coleraine

should eventually score a

try following a scrum in

the 55th minute. All this

seemed to do was spur

the Bangor team into

action once again. For

the rest of the half, BGS

looked more likely to

score and the remainder

of the game followed a

pattern of astute Bangor

attack and desperate

Coleraine defence and

counterattack as they

tried to chase the game.

BGS ran out comfortable

13-4 winners. The final

whistle was a welcome

sound for both BGS

players and spectators

and heralded the usual

pitch invasion. The sub-

sequent celebrations are

a bit of a blur but the

events of that day have

been and

a l w a y s

will be

one of my

f o n d e s t

memories.

Photographs from left: Stephen Mann scores

the winning try, the victorious Grammarians,

and Roger’s winners medal.

THE ART OF THE TACKLE

The rugby tackle is perhaps one of the most

important aspects of the beautiful game. The

first thing you should aim to do, is hit the ball

carrier, or whoever is in your way of the ball,

with your shoulder. But, if you imagine that

there is a circle around every player, you

must put your foot into their circle before you

make the tackle. If you don't, then the tackle

that you make won't be very strong and

chances are, the person that you are trying to

tackle, will make yards against your team.

The tackle may seem like a simple case of

smashing into your opponent but there is a

surprisingly high degree of physics hidden

behind. You must be low in a tackle or else

you run the risk of not being able to take your

opponent to the deck. Your back should be

straight, your feet shoulder width apart whilst

driving forward with your legs. The aim is to

ensure that the enemy does not get past the

gain line (gain line-rugby lingo) and that you

knock them back so that they stay as far away

from your beloved try line. At the end of the

day, its mind over matter.

Today's game vs.

Grosvenor gives us our

first chance to show our

worth, and put our new

and effective playing

systems into action. We

believe that a high level

of performance will be

needed to overcome

Grosvenor and it is

important to ignite our

Schools’ Cup game with

a bang. With this year's

strong pack, epitomised

by one of our Ulster

representatives Andrew

Shaw, we aim to create a

show of physica l

dominance; along with a

show of flair and skill in

the back line upheld by

our strong centres of

Ross McCloskey and

captain Phil Broderick.

The new integration of

players has worked to

our benefit with added

physicality out of new

team members such as

Connor McKee in the

back row. Aided by our

new facilities on Gransha

Road, we aim to make

this Schools’ Cup a great

success; and to go further

than in previous years.

We can't extend our

thanks enough for the

spectators supporting us,

as we feel they are one of

the most important as-

pects of us producing the

winning performance we

are more than capable of.

PLAYER PROFILE

THE INSIDE LINE

Josh McKimm has

proved to be a key

player this season so far

for the 1st XV, playing

predominantly at full

back. His handling and

kicking have been spot

on, having gained

experience by playing

out half in previous

years.

Scoring 20 points in 13

games this season, Josh

has shown that he is a

key attributor to the 1st

XV: 15 of those points

coming in one game vs.

Portadown after scoring

a hat trick and the other

five coming via a try

against Dungannon.

Missing a few games in

recent months has been

unfortunate for Josh

after picking up an

injury but we hope to see

him make a return today

and show us why he has

earned his spot on the

Schools' Cup squad.

DOB: 20/09/95

PLAYED: 13

POINTS: 20

By Giles Strutt

If you wish to purchase a photograph from this

page, or any other picture taken by Giles Strutt,

send your enquiry to: gtastrutt@hotmail.co.uk

‘THE SEASON SO FAR’

Giles Strutt

DANSKE BANK ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CUP

First Round Results :

Banbridge Academy 30—07 Larne Grammar Sch 11/01/14

Carr ick Grammar School 03—20 Portadown Col lege 11 /01/14

Grosvenor Grammar School 43 —12 Cambridge House 11 /01 /14

Lurgan Col lege 07—03 Antr im Grammar Sch 11/01/14

Regent House 11—05 Well ington Col lege 11 /01 /14

Royal School Dungannon 14—20 Omagh Academy 11 /01 /14

Bangor Grammar, Belfas t High , B.R.A. , Coleraine A.I., Dalriada,

Down High, Foyle Col lege , Limavady Grammar, Portora Royal , Rainey,

a ll j oined the draw for Round 2.

Second Round Fixtures :

Banbridge Academy v Co lera ine Ac. Inst . 25 /01 /14

Belfast High School v Omagh Academy 25/01/14

Dalr iada School v Portadown Col lege 25 /01/14

Down High School v Lurgan Col lege 25 /01 /14

Grosvenor Grammar School v Bangor Grammar Sch 25 /01/14

Limavady Grammar School v Foyle Col lege 25 /01 /14

Rainey Endowed School v Belfast Royal Acad. 25 /01 /14

Regent House v Portora Royal Sch 25/01/14

Ballyclare High, Ballymena Academy, Campbe ll Col lege , Methodist Col-

lege , R.B.A.I., Royal Armagh, Sullivan Upper and Wallace High wi l l

join the winning teams f rom Round 2 in the draw for Round 3.

2 ND XV CUP

Prel iminary Round Result :

Dalr iada School 48—00 Bangor Grammar 19 /12 /13

MEDALLION SHIELD

Selected Second Round Result s :

Limavady Grammar 08—22 Bangor Grammar 14 /01 /14

Selected Third Round Result s :

Dalr iada School 26—20 Bangor Grammar 18 /01 /14

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NO GROSVENOR TEAMSHEET AVAILABLE AT TIME OF PRINT

REFEREE:

CHRIS

RUSSELL

EVAN McMILLAN

ZACK SLEVIN

ANDREW SHAW

GLENN BURTON

ADAM BRENNAN

CHRIS BOAL

ELLIOT BOYLAN

CONNOR McKEE

SHAUN FAIR

JOSH McKIMM

MATTHEW COFFEY

ROSS McCLOSKEY

(C) PHIL BRODERICK

DAN ORR

AARON CORBETT

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GROSVENOR GRAMMAR

* SUBJECT TO

CONFIRMATION

CORRECT AT TIME OF

PRINTING

SUBSTITUTES

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FINN GARBUTT

ARVIN ANTONY

ADAM BROWN

ROSS MAXWELL

WILL LOGAN

JONNY BAXTER

ALEX STEPHENSON

ROBERT GAMBLE

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