Match Preview: Friends' School Lisburn vs Bangor Grammar School - 24/11/2018
Friends' School Lisburn vs Bangor Grammar School
It's not often that you come across friends in an opposing rugby team, but tomorrow Bangor Grammar School will face a full team of them (loosely speaking): Friends' School of Lisburn are the hosts.
Match Preview
Before we look at both sides, this match will be unusual in that it will be played behind closed doors. Due to AQE exams at Friends', spectators won't be permitted at the game, so please don't make the trip to Lisburn if you were planning to watch.
Aside from an opening day defeat to Royal School Dungannon (and a repeat result two weeks ago), Friends' have been on a rich vein of form beating Cambridge House, Dromore High School, Larne Grammar, Grosvenor Grammar, Omagh Academy and Belfast High School. Of these sides, only Dungannon and Omagh are currently ranked above Bangor Grammar by the Front Row Union.
Bangor Grammar Schools' season had started to take a downward turn after the narrow defeat to Campbell, but last week's strong win over Ballyclare High School is hopefully a sign that things are back on track.
The Front Row Union produce the best form of ranking system for local schools' rugby. Out of 33 teams, Friends' are currently ranked 11th, and Bangor ranked 20th (up 1 place from last week). The system is geared up to take both results and quality of opposition into consideration.
https://thefrontrowunion.com/2018/11/ulster-schools-rugby-rankings-2018-19-week-3)
Last Time
Last season, these two sides faced each other in a midweek match at Gransha. Aaron Sexton scored a hat-trick, and Ben McCrossan, Zach Kerr and Will Simpson were also on the score-sheet as Bangor emerged with a 31-19 victory.
Our cameras weren't at that match, so here's a photo of Ireland & Ulster star Stuart McCloskey playing in our Schools' Cup Rd 3 victory over Friends' in 2011.
Team News
Some encouraging news this week as we can confirm the return of Aaron Sexton (concussion) and Sam Murray (foot). Chris Pyper and Harry McCracken are the players making way.
Adam Pritchard still remains unavailable as he continues to recover from concussion.
Also returning this week is Dylan Moore to the number two jersey.
Match Details
Venue: Friends' School Lisburn 1st XV pitch, Magheralave Road, Lisburn
Kick off time: 10.00 am
Last Encounter: BGS 31-19 FSL
BGS 2018-19 Form: P10 / W4 / D0 /L6 (Points for: 274/ Points against: 230)
Unfortunately we won't be at tomorrow's match so no live updates this week. We'll have a full roundup on our Facebook page and here on the Gryphiti website. Best of luck to all B.G.S. lads playing for the 1st XV, and all our other teams tomorrow.
