Match Preview: Bangor Grammar School vs Belfast Royal Academy - 08/11/2014

Bangor Grammar School vs Belfast Royal Academy

Sometimes things which seem negative turn out to be blessings in disguise. Take the 2011 Schools' Cup Fourth Round match between BGS and Belfast Royal Academy for example. Defeat that day, and the Bangor team and players had hit rock bottom or so they though. Little did they know that some three weeks later they would be lining up at Ravenhill for a shot at the Subsidiary Shield.

Now three and a half years have passed and there is very little in common between the BGS teams then and now. The same can be said for Belfast Royal Academy who have been underwhelming to say the least since then.

Match Preview

Belfast Royal Academy's 2013/14 season reads played 17, won 6, lost 11. This doesn't really mean much until you look into the calibre of teams that they beat: Larne Grammar, Banbridge Academy, Regent House, Grosvenor Grammar, Portadown College, and perhaps most tellingly, Bangor Grammar School. The team crashed out of the Schools' Cup to Rainey Endowed in the second round, and the side will be looking for massive gains 12 months on.

It's difficult to say whether the 13-10 defeat to BRA last season will hurt Bangor more than the 45-7 defeat to Campbell that they suffered earlier on this week (having beaten them last year), but the test of a good team is how they are able to fight back after tough performances. The team will be looking to improve defensively as they've been hemorrhaging tries to the big teams, but its unlikely they will be tested as much tomorrow in that regard.

Team News

In addition to the loss of Adam Brennan (Abscess Wound) to a short to mid term injury, Bangor will have to contend with the loss of Chris Goldthorpe (Lower Back). In addition, Aaron Corbett has been dropped to the 2nd XV this week with Alexander Stephenson stepping in to take his place.

The side are suffering from a lack of flankers, and Ross Maxwell has had to drop back from the second row to fill the number 6 jersey. Ryan Miskelly joins Bryn Crawford in the second row. Also Patrick Eves replaces Finn Garbutt in the front row, with the latter available as a substitute if necessary.

Match Details

Venue: Bangor Grammar School 1st XV Pitch, Gransha Rd, Bangor

Kick off time: 10.00 am

Last Season: BRA 13-10 BGS

BGS 2014 Form: P7 / W2 / L5

We'll have a round up of all of the action following the match on the Gryphiti Twitter Account, Facebook page and here on the Gryphiti website. Best of luck to all B.G.S lads involved, in any of the junior or senior teams in action.

Simon Hull