Match Report: Bangor Grammar School 26-33 Belfast Royal Academy

Bangor Grammar School vs Belfast Royal Academy

Bangor Grammar School suffered defeat on Saturday morning against a well drilled Belfast Royal Academy side.

Throughout the match, a strong wind blew from one end of the pitch to the other. Belfast Royal Academy, coached by Brian McLaughlin, had the wind in the first half and set off fast. Tries from Ollie Parkes and Adam Keed, both converted by Harry Warke, saw them hold a 14-0 lead after five minutes.

Bangor Grammar were without Aaron Sexton, who picked up concussion last time out in Coleraine. Growing into the match, they progressed towards the B.R.A. try line, with tighthead prop Ben McCrossan driving just short. In the next phase of play, a loose pass was intercepted by an Academy winger dangerously breaking clear. After a 35 metre chase, three Grammarians recovered to snuff out any danger.

On the fifteen minute mark, Bangor were again camped on Belfast Royal Academy's try line. This time McCrossan powered over for the hosts' first score. McCrossan would soon score another in similar fashion with Rhys Larmour adding one conversion to reduce the defecit to two points.

Through the remainder of the first half, Bangor huffed and puffed, but couldn't add to their score. On the brink of half time, B.R.A. executed a nice series of pick and go's to push up the pitch. Prop Patrick Termini finished the move with the crucial touchdown. The score at the break was 19-12 to B.R.A.

Bangor Grammar, with the wind now behind them, began the second half stronger. Darting through bodies on the line, Cameron Stewart's try and Larmour's subsequent conversion levelled the score.

But for every try Bangor scored, B.R.A. quickly responded to regain the lead. Two more tries for B.R.A, scored by Jack Whittley and Adam Keed, were interspersed by an Oliver Hamilton try for Bangor Grammar. With ten minutes to go, B.R.A led 33-26.

Bangor players tried hard to find a score late on, but struggled to master the strong breeze. In the end, the match fizzled out, and B.R.A. clinched victory.

Bangor Grammar School will look to regroup before facing Ballyclare High School again in two weeks' time.

Final Score: Bangor Grammar School 26-33 Belfast Royal Academy

Teamsheet: 1. Grant, 2. Mahood, 3. McCrossan, 4. Pyper, 5. Winters, 6. Westwood, 7. Dobie, 8. Pritchard, 9. Hamilton, 10. Larmour, 11. Angus, 12. Lusty, 13. Stewart, 14. McCreary, 15. McCracken.

Substitute: 23. Simpson

BGS Tries: Ben McCrossan (x2), Cameron Stewart, Oliver Hamilton

BGS Conv: Rhys Larmour (x3)

BRA Tries: Ollie Parkes, Adam Keed (x2), Patrick Termini, Jack Whittley,

BRA Conv: Harry Warke (x4)

BGS Gryphiti Man of the Match: Ben McCrossan