All senior teams enjoyed good runs in their respective cup competitions. The 1st xv produced an outstanding performance in the second round of the Schools’ Cup to defeat a fancied Rainey side, and lost narrowly 20-17 away to Wallace in the next stage. In the Subsidiary Shield, victories over Omagh and C.A.I. saw the team progress to the final at Ravenhill against B.R.A., losing 16-12 in a highly competitive game. The 2nd xv made the quarter-final and the 3rd xv the semi-final of their respective cups. The Under 14’s progress was duly rewarded when they won the Plate competition at the O’Kane tournament at Ballymena Academy.

Congratulations to Robert Logan who, following a series of trial matches during the Easter holidays, succeeded in being selected for the Ulster Schools’ Development squad to go on a two week tour to South Africa during the summer. Ross Hackney has taken part in regular U16 development training sessions. It is pleasing to note that last year’s captain, Adrian Saunderson, has been capped twice for the Irish U19 team and was included in the squad for the U19 World Cup in South Africa over the Easter period.

Rugby Trophy Winners

John Millar Cup (Highest try scorer) Jordan Annett
Most improved Junior Player Andrew Close
Most Improved xv 1st xv
Craig McMillen Cup - Most dedicated 1st xv player Michael Stevenson
Longwell Cup - Most outstanding 1st xv player Chris Mawhinney/
Jonathan Backus

TSY

Link to the History of Rugby in Ballyclare High School

Reports on Matches 2005 - 2006

1st XV

This was a very much a season of two halves for Ballyclare 1st XV. The season began poorly, for despite playing some good rugby, the team lost their first seven games with the most striking defeat being 57-10 to R.B.A.I.
An allusive first win was obtained at Belfast High when Ballyclare struggled to a 17-16 win. This performance personified the character which would be so prevalent in the second half of the season. The turning point of the season came at Bangor Grammar when wholesale changes were made, particularly in the front row and back line. Jonathan Backus and Matthew Crothers starred on debut as Ballyclare ran out comfortable winners 37-0, playing some excellent rugby. This performance sparked a winning streak of eleven matches, seeing off Foyle, Dungannon and Banbridge.
This took a confident Ballyclare side into their Schools’ Cup second round against Rainey Endowed. It was a very close game with Ballyclare trailing for a large part of the match. However in the dying moments a tremendous driving maul, finished with a try for Robert Logan, gave Ballyclare a narrow 17-14 win. In the third round, Ballyclare played a strong Wallace team and were unfortunate to lose at the last minute 21-18.
This appeared to bring an end to Ballyclare’s season. However, the team recovered from the disappointment of exiting the Cup to reach the final of the Schools’ Shield. They defeated Omagh Academy and Coleraine Inst. to set up a tie against B.R.A. at Ravenhill. This was a great day out for the players and fans alike, but unfortunately Ballyclare lost 15-17. Despite the defeat, it reflected a tremendous improvement for the 1st XV.

Chris Busby Yr14

2nd XV

Ten great victories, seven of which were consecutive wins, the 2nd XV of the 2004-05 played some memorable rugby, with an impressive 302 points scored by the team. The victory against Friends’ School, Lisburn was of particular note, as well as triumphs against Sullivan Upper, Belfast High, Grosvenor and Dalriada. Dedicated team members such as David Knape, Matthew Holmes and Chris Spence, who unfortunately suffered an injury during the season, helped contribute to this successful season.

Stafford Houston Yr14

3rd XV

The ongoing strength in depth of senior rugby at Ballyclare High School was reflected in the performance of the 3rd XV this season.
Only a narrow defeat away to Ballymena Academy in the semi-final prevented the team from playing in the climax of the most prestigious competition in Ulster rugby for this group – the 3rd XV Schools’ Cup.
The basis for the season’s success was a heady mix of wily experience and youthful endeavour. Core squad members emerged after a period of hibernation to enjoy their rugby again in the Upper Sixth year and their weight was most welcome. Allied to this was a group of the previous year’s Medallion squad who recognised the need to prove themselves in the testing arena of senior schools’ rugby; an environment much more demanding than the alternatives presented by clubs in development leagues.
Significant victories against Campbell College, B.R.A., Portora and Down High indicated the potential evident in the growing skills of these players who will offer a great deal to rugby in their sixth form. The progress of the captain, Peter Gamble, was of particular note.
Nevertheless, the most memorable images of the year are the snaking runs of Gary McCourt; the shuddering efforts of Peter Tweed; the rumbling entry late in the game of Adam Finlay and, above all, the audacity of Johnny Guy’s drop-goal.
The season was both competitive and Corinthian – the perfect formula for 3rd xv rugby.

GML

Medallion XV

Won-11 Lost-6 Drew-0 Points for-342 Points against-219

The 2004-2005 season for the Medallions was a very mixed one. The season didn’t start too well with three losses in our first four games. These losses were to B.R.A, Campbell College and R.B.A.I. However, we did put together our biggest win of the season against Larne Grammar, 66-7, which included three tries for Nigel Black and two tries and eight conversions from Robert Smith. After that, we had three good wins against top schools C.A.I., Belfast High and Limavady Grammar. The next week we took on Grosvenor Grammar School, a top team at this age group so it was going to be a tough game. The team produced their best performance, winning 18-8. Robert Smith was the man of the match.
In November, the team travelled to Dublin to take on a strong Wesley College team. The match was a close encounter but Ballyclare came out on top with a great comeback victory of 22-10. After the match the team went to Lansdowne Road to watch Ireland play South Africa. It was a great day and something the team will never forget. It was the highlight of the season for all the team.
When the team returned from tour we had convincing wins over Dalriada, Friends’ and Carrick Grammar.
In mid-January the team played their first match in the Medallion Shield. It was a second round match away to Limavady Grammar. This match was a very tight contest in which Ballyclare produced a remarkable comeback, to win 10-8. Ballyclare played against the wind in the first half and defended very well and only conceded three points. Just after the second half began, Limavady scored a break-away try. Craig Andrew scored two injury time tries to win the match 10-8. Ballyclare fought back with good performances from Craig Andrew and ‘birthday boy’ Philip Saunderson.
Ballyclare then progressed into the third round. Unfortunately the season ended after this match. We played Rainey Endowed at home and ten minutes into the match one of our players, Andrew Kelly, suffered a serious spinal injury. A scrum collapsed and Andrew was rushed immediately to hospital and underwent surgery. The match had to be abandoned. We wish Andrew a speedy recovery and all the thoughts and prayers of the team are with him.
Many thanks to everyone who came to support the team and most importantly a big thank you to our fantastic and dedicated coaches, Mr Leckey and Mr Dickie. We appreciate their encouragement and support throughout the season and are grateful for the time they gave up for training through the summer months and after school.

Squad- Thomas Baird, Steven McConnell, Andrew Kelly, Craig Bunting, Rory Henderson, Jonathan Gault, Simon Glover, Craig McConnell, Philip Saunderson, Patrick Scott, Mark Wilson, Christopher McGrath, Matthew Luney, Andrew Purdy, Robert Smith, Jim Neill, Luke Totten, Patrick Irvine (Capt.), Nigel Black, John Hanley, Craig Andrew, Daniel Harvey.

Patrick Irvine 11E

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U14 XV

Played: 21 Won: 8 Lost: 13 Drew: 0
Points for: 326 Against: 394
Highest points scorer: Jonathan McKim (67)
Highest try scorer: Jonathan McKim (13)

The U14 rugby squad have had a very encouraging season with close matches against B.R.A, Regent House and Down High School. They were improving in every match and are getting closer every time to being one of the strong teams around. We have had good wins against Wellington, Limavady and Antrim Grammar.
We were also very lucky to be invited to the R.B.A.I. tournament although we were put out in the semi-finals to a well drilled Ballymena side. We started in our group stages with Wallace and Coleraine Inst., beating Coleraine but losing to Wallace.
Every U14 Ballyclare side has gone to the O’Kane tournament and this year we were put into a group with Larne, (who we beat quite convincingly during the season), Cambridge House, Coleraine Inst. and Dungannon. We had a very bad start, losing to all accept Dungannon. We then went through to the Plate where we defeated the Rainey in the semis and went on to beat our biggest rivals, Belfast High in the final.
This was a very impressive and encouraging season. We are looking forward to next season where, as Medallions, we hope we will do the school proud once again.

Matthew Johnston 10C

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U13 XV

The year started out badly with two losses, but soon we started to play much better with our first win against Larne. The next matches were quite difficult as they were against strong teams such as R.B.A.I. but we managed to win some.
The match against Foyle was the start of our match winning streak. We did well but this winning streak was ended with a big defeat against R.B.A.I. and then we lost to Down High and Regent House. An unexpected match to play against the Boys’ Model at the end of the season enabled us to end with a victory.
This year has been a good year but it could have been better with greater fitness levels and basic skills, such as tackling and passing. If we do improve on these for next year, hopefully we will be a hard team to beat.

Matthew Lok 9C

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