Match Report: Royal Belfast Academical Institution 40-17 Bangor Grammar School

Royal Belfast Academical Institution vs Bangor Grammar School

On the Saturday before Christmas, Bangor Grammar School traveled to Osborne Park for their traditional Christmas fixture against Royal Belfast Academical Institution.

RBAI set off fast, and an early unconverted try and penalty, courtesy of Bradley McNamara and Robin McIlveen respectively, gave the hosts an 8-0 lead after ten minutes played.

As the first half progressed, Bangor Grammar were given opportunities to advance to the RBAI try line. They responded to RBAI's lead with Finn Ritchie charging down the right hand side of the pitch. A perfect pass found Aaron Sexton who ran the final few metres with tackles flying in all around him, before diving over the line for the try. Rhys Larmour's conversion reduced the RBAI lead to a single point.

Almost immediately from the restart, a penalty against Bangor Grammar give Inst an opportunity to rebuild their lead. The kick by Robin McIlveen sent the ball between the sticks, and the score was now 11-7 in favour of the Belfast side.

At this point, with Bangor pushing hard to get back on terms, the match opened up and RBAI were given more space to run. On one attack, Inst full back Bradley McNamara looked to be clear, breaking for the corner. However, Aaron Sexton was on hand to snuff out any danger, with a firm tackle sending his opposite number rolling into touch.

Only a few minutes later, following a series of pick and go's, Ewan Magee scored the second Inst try, converted by Robin McIlveen. A Rhys Larmour penalty then reduced the gap to six points.

The match was swung with two tries immediately before and after the break - both from Inst. The first was again scored by Ewan Magee in the corner. Bangor players protested a possible forward pass and foot in touch in the lead up, but the referee ensured that the try would stand. The half time score was 23-10 to the hosts.

The next RBAI try was added by flanker Zac Simpson, finding space in the BGS defence to reach out for the line.

The writing was on the wall for the BGS team, but they fought valiantly all through the match and enjoyed a second try, this time from Ben McCrossan. McCrossan has been one of the most consistently excellent Bangor Grammar performers this season. Ultimately, Larmour's conversion would be the last Bangor score of this match.

With replacements on the pitch, RBAI were now in full flow and scored two further tries before the final whistle at the hands of Zak Davidson and Robin McIlveen.

Bangor Grammar put up a good fight throughout, but just didn't have an answer for RBAI's attack on this occasion.

In January, BGS head down to Dublin to face King's Hospital before the Schools' Cup commences on the 26th.

Final Score: Royal Belfast Academical Institution 40-17 Bangor Grammar School

Teamsheet: 1. Grant, 2. Mahood, 3. McCrossan, 4. Wells, 5. Pyper, 6. Westwood, 7. Norman, 8. Dobie, 9. Hamilton, 10. Larmour, 11. Christie, 12. Lusty, 13. McCreary, 14. Ritchie, 15. Sexton.

Subs: 16. Moore, 18. Cavan, 21. Hatty, 23. Simpson

RBAI Tries: Ewan Magee (x2), Bradley McNamara, Zac Simpson, Zac Davidson, Robin McIlveen

RBAI Conv: Robin McIlveen (x2)

RBAI Pens: Robin McIlveen (x2)

BGS Tries: Aaron Sexton, Ben McCrossan

BGS Conv: Rhys Larmour (x2)

BGS Pens: Rhys Larmour

BGS Gryphiti Man of the Match: Aaron Sexton