Match Preview: Regent House School vs Bangor Grammar School - 26/01/2019
Regent House Grammar School vs Bangor Grammar School
After five months of friendlies and training, the Schools' rugby season reaches a crescendo with round 3 of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup - the second oldest rugby competition in the world. No other competition in domestic rugby comes close to this, and its history is filled with incredible stories.
Match Preview
Regent House are two time winners of the Schools' Cup (well, one outright in 1994 and one shared in 1996 to be precise). They last made the final in 2008, where they were beaten by Methodist College.
They are coached by former Scotland and Northampton Saints flanker Budge Poutney, who was part of the Saints' Heineken Cup winning side of 1999/2000.
Regent have played 11 matches so far this year, winning 5 and losing 6. They already have some experience in this year's Schools' Cup, grinding out a tight away win against Dromore High School in round 2, two weeks ago.
Bangor Grammar School are five times winners of the Schools' Cup - (1969, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1988). Their last final appearance was 1995, when R.B.A.I. won 18-9.
The BGS 1st XV is coached by Mr Kennedy and Mr Hunter with help from old boys Stuart McCloskey (Ulster) and Matthew Agnew (Ulster Academy).
Amongst the Bangor ranks is 18 year old Aaron Sexton, who has already played once for the Ulster seniors (earlier this season). He raised eyebrows for the Ulster As in the Celtic Cup, where he scored seven tries in six matches, and recorded the fastest ever speed for any player representing an Ulster team. He has also represented the Ireland U19s this season. Sexton's speed is his golden weapon, he is the fastest school boy in Irish 100m history.
Elsewhere in the Bangor squad are forwards Ben McCrossan, Gareth Wells and Riley Westwood, who all have interprovincial age-grade experience (through the Ulster U18s and U19s).
Centre, Conor Lusty is the top Bangor Grammar scorer this season so far, with 13 tries in 16 starts. Not too far behind is Ben McCrossan with 11 tries in 12 starts.
The Bangor Grammar School captain is Rhys Larmour, who's kicking has secured 73 points this season.
Not helped by having players so frequently unavailable for selection, Bangor Grammar have had quite an inconsistent season, but there have been flashes of brilliance: the home & away victories over Ballyclare, the incredible match at Campbell were Bangor could have won if a late try hadn't been cruelly disallowed, and the 47-29 win over Friends', to name but a few.
However, the profile of the Schools' Cup is such that previous results are quickly forgotten, and seasons are defined by only this competition.
The Front Row Union produce the best form of ranking system for local schools' rugby. Regent House currently sit 20th out of 33, whilst Bangor Grammar are ranked one place higher, in 19th. The system is geared up to take both results and quality of opposition into consideration. With both teams so close, we could be set for a very dramatic match tomorrow.
https://thefrontrowunion.com/2019/01/ulster-schools-rugby-rankings-2018-19-week-8/
Last Time
Bangor Grammar and Regent House met each other last season at Gransha. On that day in history, skipper Zach Kerr scored two tries, with Riley Westwood, Aaron Sexton, Cameron Stewart, Conor Lusty and Angus Christie all touching down as well. Rhys Larmour scored 5 conversions bringing Bangor Grammar's final total to 45 points without reply.
Video highlights of that match can be found below:
The most memorable match in recent years between these two schools came the previous season. Bangor Grammar were knocked out of the Schools' Cup by Grosvenor Grammar in round 3, so had transferred to the Schools' Bowl competition, where Regent were the last team in their path to victory. Final score was 41-3 to Bangor Grammar. Again, video highlights can be found below.
Team News
Keep an eye out on our Facebook & Twitter pages tomorrow morning. The team will be published just before kickoff.
Match Details
Venue: Regent House Grammar School 1st XV Pitch, Circular Road, Newtownards
Kick off time: 10.30 am
Last Encounter: BGS 45-00 RHS
BGS 2018-19 Form: P17 / W6 / D0 /L11 (Points for: 407 / Points against: 435)
* BGS player statistics don't include the tour match in January vs King's Hospital.
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 members of the B.G.S. 1st XV team, and all the other teams in action.
