Match Preview: Bangor Grammar School vs Belfast High School - 29/09/2018

Bangor Grammar School vs Belfast High School

After travelling to Ballymena last Saturday, tomorrow morning Bangor Grammar return to Gransha Road, where Belfast High School will be the visitors.

Match Preview

This is Bangor Grammar School's third match of the season, having suffered two defeats (Royal Armagh and Ballymena Academy) and enjoyed one victory (Belfast Met) so far.

Despite the mixed results, the early signs have been largely positive for Bangor: the team has looked excellent in both attack and defence, and new players have stepped up to fill the positions vacated by the experienced Zach Kerr, Daniel Young et al. In addition there are still more players to return from provincial duty for Bangor (more on that in a second).

Belfast High School, led by captain Jay Doyle, have also had a positive start to the season. They have also played three matches: winning two (Carrick Grammar School and Limavady Grammar School), but were last week beaten by Portadown College 43-23.

Last Time

In recent years, Bangor Grammar have often had the upper hand over Belfast High School. The one outlier came in 2014, where a rare try from Shaun Fair and penalty by Jamie Fulton weren't enough to prevent Belfast High from securing the win.

Last season, Bangor dominated proceedings and the names of Rhys Larmour, Daniel Young, Conor Lusty, Tim Webb and Lewis Hatty all featured on the scoresheet. Belfast High recorded a converted try of their own in response.

Team News

A Duke of Edinburgh expedition means that there are quite a few changes in the Bangor side this week. However, the the unchanged front three and back five have started every match this season.

Chris Pyper debuts in the second row, whilst Patrick Dobie drops into the back row to replace Adam Pritchard. With Gareth Wells unavailable this week, Riley Westwood will make his first BGS start of the season at number 8, now having returned from Ulster U19 duties. He will take up the captaincy in the absence of Rhys Larmour. Ben McCrossan and Oliver Hamilton are also unavailable.

In the absence of others, this week's team features a new half-back pairing: Ewan McKenzie and Harry Blaney - both making their 1st XV debuts.

With no 2nd XV match scheduled, there is a full compliment of substitutes. Included among these is Angus Christie who continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Finally, Aaron Sexton remains unavailable for selection due to his continued participation in the Celtic Cup for the Ulster As.

Match Details

Venue: Bangor Grammar School 1st XV pitch, Gransha Road, Bangor

Kick off time: 10.00 am

Last Encounter: BHS 07-54 BGS

BGS 2018-19 Form: P3 / W1 / D0 /L2 (Points for: 80 / Points against: 48)

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.

Finally best wishes to last season's captain Zach Kerr, as he sets off for a year playing in New Zealand.