Northern Bank Schools' Cup Quarter Final - Match Report

Ballyclare High School - Omagh Academy

Venue: Ballyclare

Final Score: Ballyclare 17 - Omagh Academy 5

On Saturday 23 rd February, Ballyclare High School played host to Omagh Academy at the quarter final stage of the Northern Bank Schools' Cup. Both sides, having surpassed even their own expectations of getting this far in the cup, were aware of the fantastic prize awaiting whoever triumphed, a semi-final spot at Ravenhill.

The game got underway at 11am and Omagh got off to the perfect start, scoring a try after just 19seconds. Omagh kicked off, Ballyclare caught the ball, but after a horror pass from scrumhalf Stevenson to the feet of Smith, star Omagh flanker David McFarland kicked through and scored to the right of the posts. An easy conversion was poorly executed by the Omagh lock. Ballyclare, having been on the end of conceding early tries plenty of times this season, but on this occasion, they came straight back at Omagh.

After an error stricken opening 10 minutes, the ‘Clare side began to find their feet. The trusty boot of Robert Smith, putting the strong wind to good use gave Ballyclare an excellent platform from which to attack. Ballyclare were awarded a penalty out wide, which Smith missed narrowly, however he made amends slotting two tricky ones to leaving his side 6 - 5 in front. After winning a penalty inside the Ballyclare half Smith struck a beauty, putting the ball into touch 5m from the Omagh line. Ballyclare used a training ground move to send hooker Matthew Hopper in at the corner, to bring the score to 11 - 5, in favour of Ballyclare High.

Ballyclare dominated the remainder of the half and a further two well struck penalties, won by an on form Jonathon McKimm gave Ballyclare a 17 - 5 half time lead.

Omagh, with wind advantage in the second half, laid siege to the Ballyclare line. The never say die attitude shown by Omagh for the whole second half was matched only by a passionate and hardworking display shown by one to fifteen in the Ballyclare defence. Around the fringes Adam Best, Mark Wilson, Fabian Beickhorasani and Ryan Tweed worked tirelessly knocking back Omagh time after time. Rory Henderson did brilliantly managing to come out of mauls with the ball so many times when Omagh had taken it in and were threatening to score a try.

In the centre Craig Andrews, and captain Paddy Irvine were rock solid, backed up by the rest of the backline. Despite never being out of their own half the very disciplined defence won Ballyclare the game and the half backs closed the game out kicking the ball up-field relieving pressure. The joy on the faces of Ballyclare at the end of the game, told the story of a tough game and the excitement of the prospect of running out at Ravenhill. Ballyclare will face Regent House, with the possibility of a Saint Patrick’s Day final should they win! Congratulations are also due to Omagh Academy for helping to make this a memorable match for both players and spectators alike.