Match Preview: Bangor Grammar School vs Belfast Metropolitan College - 15/09/2018
Bangor Grammar School vs Belfast Metropolitan College
It was a pretty decent start to the season, last week for Bangor Grammar's 1st XV. Royal School Armagh may have left with the win, but it was the confident style in which Bangor defended that impressed the coaches and fans.
This week BGS were meant to travel to Killicomaine Road to face Portadown College, but sadly that match was cancelled. Instead it is Belfast Metropolitan College who will be lining up opposite the Grammar.
Match Preview
Normally this section is where we reveal a bit of the context behind the match, however as these two teams have only ever faced once, there isn't a great deal. In fact, one might even go so far to say that this will be the least important match that Bangor will play all year. That isn't intended to be a swipe at Belfast Met, but as they don't play in the Schools' Cup, they play very few other school teams and ply their trade against the U18 teams of local rugby clubs.
This is also the hardest match of the season to predict. History might point to this being a comfortable Bangor win, but it is known that Belfast Met have made big improvements over the last few seasons.
Last Time
I mentioned that these two teams have only played once. In fact, I struggled to recall if they had ever played. Thanks to the fountain of BGS Rugby knowledge that is Zach Kerr for filling in the gaps...
It was the 13th January 2016, a week or two before Bangor Grammar's first Schools' Cup match against Limavady Grammar. The final score was 43-5 to Bangor with tries from Jamie Fulton, Lewis Bret, Chris Goldthorpe and the afforementioned Zach Kerr. Zach was on fine form that day bagging 28 points in total.
The match was marred by a serious injury to Chris Goldthorpe late in the first half. He broke his leg and was ruled out for the rest of the season (and the start of the next). The match was called to an early close not long after.
Team News
With interpros still in full swing, Aaron Sexton (Ulster A), Ben McCrossan, Riley Westwood (both Ulster U19s) and Gareth Wells (Ulster U18s) are still unavailable for selection.
It's an unchanged starting XV this week. Kristen McNeice and Ross Campbell may make their 1st XV debuts as substitutes where they are joined by Munroe Kerr, a returning player from last season.
Match Details
Venue: Bangor Grammar School 1st XV Pitch, Gransha Road, Bangor
Kick off time: 10.15 am
Last Encounter: BGS 43-05 BMC
BGS 2018-19 Form: P1 / W0 / D0 /L1
Follow the match with live updates on the Gryphiti Twitter Account, plus more reaction and photographs on our Facebook page and here on the Gryphiti website. We'll be videoing the match and will have highlights later in the season. Best of luck to all B.G.S lads playing for the 1st XV, and all our other teams tomorrow.
