Match Preview: Bangor Grammar School vs Belfast Royal Academy - 03/11/2018

Bangor Grammar School vs Belfast Royal Academy

After two matches on the road, Bangor Grammar School return to Gransha Road tomorrow morning to face Belfast Royal Academy.

Match Preview

Up until last Saturday, Bangor Grammar's season had been following a pattern, LWLWLWL. Defeat against Coleraine Academy saw the first consecutive defeats this year.

Before that, things had been progressing nicely in the Bangor Grammar School camp, and the return of Aaron Sexton was a great boost. As they say, one swallow doesn't make a summer, so let's just call it a bad day at the office.

Belfast Royal Academy, the 1997 Schools' Cup winners, have so far this season only beaten Limavady Grammar School, with defeats coming at the hands of high calibre opposition - Ballyclare High, Methody, Sullivan, Wallace and Ballymena.

On paper this tie is a close call so could result in an exciting and eventful encounter.

Last Time

This time last year, Bangor's match against B.R.A. was one of the most dramatic, ending in a 29-29 draw. Captain Zach Kerr scored a hat-trick, and Daniel Young was the other B.G.S. try scorer. Rhys Larmour added 9 points from the kicking tee.

Unfortunately we didn't have our cameras at last year's match, so here's a photograph from two years before, under the floodlights at Upritchard Park. That one ended 24-7 to Belfast Royal Academy.

Team News

A couple of changes to note this week. James Mahood starts at hooker, in place of Dylan Moore.

Aaron Sexton is unavailable for selection, having picked up concussion last Saturday in Coleraine. Harry McCracken moves from the wing to cover at full-back and Harry Angus returns to the starting XV on the other wing. Michael McCreary has switched sides.

Gareth Wells is still in India with Saphara.

Finally, worth mentioning that the Bangor Grammar replacements' bench contains a lot of 1st XV experience.

Match Details

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

Kick off time: 10.30 am

Last Encounter: BRA 29-29 BGS

BGS 2018-19 Form: P8 / W3 / D0 /L5 (Points for: 220 / Points against: 177)

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.