Match Report: Dalriada School 24-10 Bangor Grammar School

Dalriada School vs Bangor Grammar School

Former players have often described Dalriada in Ballymoney as one of the toughest venues to play away from home. Bangor Grammar School know this all too well, having missed out on a Subsidiary Shield final in 2012, and a Schools' Cup semi final in 2016; both after away defeats to Dalriada.

On Saturday morning, Bangor Grammar School again travelled to St James' Road in Ballymoney, and discovered the full extent of the challenge ahead of them, as Dalriada opened their account only two and a half minutes in. Their centre Jacob Fleck found space to touch down in the corner. Henry Ross' conversion kick pulled wide.

After a quarter of an hour, Dalriada were again on the attack. Caleb Bartlett doubled their score after powering ten metres through (and over) several Bangor bodies. The try was unconverted.

All through the first half, Bangor struggled to get a foot in the match, as handling errors led to squandered opportunities. But the visitors were not undeterred and struck back through super centre Conor Lusty, diving for a small gap and his twelfth try of the season.

Dalriada's third try of the game soon followed, as Bangor's defence couldn't stop a driving maul from a lineout. Flanker Will Scott had the easy job of grounding the ball. Ross' conversion saw the Ballymoney side hold a 17-5 half time lead.

After half time, Bangor Grammar looked like a completely transformed team. They enjoyed the lions' share of second half possession, and looked to be back in the match after Ben McCrossan racked up his eighth try in eight matches from a quick tap penalty.

Despite this, Bangor couldn't make the most with ball in hand, and grew frustrated as decisions went Dalriada's way.

Dalriada themselves had two tries disallowed for forward passes, but with ten minutes to go were defending hard as BGS pressed hard to even the score.

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Jack Murdoch's intercept try

Whilst passing the ball along the back line, Bangor gifted Dalriada's Jack Murdoch an interception. Murdoch was chased back by three Bangor players but couldn't be caught, and the tense climax was brought to an abrupt conclusion. The conversion kick by Henry Ross was on target, and Dalriada kept a dogged Bangor side out in the final few minutes to secure the victory.

Dalriada were deserved winners, but perhaps the final score was slightly harsh on Bangor.

For BGS: Wallace, Dromore and RBAI lie ahead in the coming weeks before their Schools' Cup campaign gets underway in late January.

Final Score: Dalriada School 24-10 Bangor Grammar School

Teamsheet: 1. Grant, 2. Mahood, 3. McCrossan, 4. Bull, 5. Pyper, 6. Dobie, 7. Murray, 8. Norman, 9. Hamilton, 10. Larmour, 11. Angus, 12. Lusty, 13. Stewart, 14. McCreary, 15. Hatty.

DSB Tries: Jacob Fleck, Caleb Bartlett, Will Scott, Jack Murdoch

DSB Conv: Henry Ross (x2)

BGS Tries: Conor Lusty, Ben McCrossan

BGS Gryphiti Man of the Match: Patrick Dobie