Match Preview: Bangor Grammar School vs Ballyclare High School - 13/10/2018
Bangor Grammar School vs Ballyclare High School
In spite of forecasted heavy rain, Bangor Grammar School tomorrow are scheduled to face Ballyclare High School at Gransha Road.
If the pitches are unplayable in the morning, a call will be made on postponement or cancellation. Keep an eye on our social media pages for any news on this.
Match Preview
Bangor Grammar School have had a yoyo season so far: defeats to Royal School Armagh, Ballymena Academy and Sullivan Upper, separated by wins against Belfast Metropolitan College & Belfast High School.
Last time out, Bangor were bettered by Sullivan Upper with a 33-10 scoreline. Considerably behind at half time, Bangor put in a strong second half performance where Gareth Wells and Conor Lusty both scored.
Ballyclare High School are the reigning Subsidiary Shield champions - a title they'll be hoping not to defend. Their season so far has also been mixed with defeats to Ballymena Academy, Campbell College, Wesley College and R.B.A.I. and wins over B.R.A. and Belfast High.
Both teams have beaten Belfast High School by a large margin and bean beaten by a similar score to Ballymena Academy, so this match is very hard to call.
Last Time
Last season BGS fell to a 31-10 defeat in horrendous playing conditions. The scorers on that occasion were Zach Kerr and Daniel Young.
Beyond last season, these two teams have history. In 2015 they played each other in round 3 of the Danske Bank Schools' Cup and Ballyclare came out on top.
The following season, history repeated itself in the exact same round except Bangor Grammar School's 1st XV produced one of their strongest performances in recent years to steal the win and progress.
Team News
All good news this week, as Adam Pritchard returns to the starting XV having fully overcome his foot injury. He returns to number 8, whilst Gareth Wells moves forward to the second row.
Meanwhile, scrum-half Angus Christie has fully shaken off the knock to the head that forced him off the pitch last Saturday and retains his position in the starting side.
Robbie Grant comes into the front row in place of Scott Skelly who will be an available replacement.
As is often the case, players from the 2nd XV will be ready for action if called upon.
Aaron Sexton plays on Sunday for the Ulster As, in their last match in the Celtic Cup against Connacht Eagles. Finger's crossed he'll be in the Bangor team for their next match against Campbell College!
Match Details
Venue: Bangor Grammar School 1st XV pitch, Gransha Road, Bangor
Kick off time: 10.15 am
Last Encounter: BCL 33-10 BGS
BGS 2018-19 Form: P5 / W2 / D0 /L3 (Points for: 156 / Points against: 105)
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 all B.G.S. lads playing for the 1st XV, and all our other teams tomorrow.
