Match Preview: Bangor Grammar School vs Ballyclare High School - 23/02/2019
Bangor Grammar School vs Ballyclare High School
Two weeks ago Bangor Grammar Schools' journey in the Schools' Cup ended at the hands of Royal School Armagh. Often in life, as one door closes another opens, and the BGS 1st XV make their bow tomorrow morning in the Subsidiary Shield. Their opposition are Ballyclare High School, with both teams set to play each other for the third time this season.
Match Preview
Bangor Grammar School are four time finalists in the Subsidiary Shield - sharing a win with Belfast High School in 1984, and winning outright in 1989 against Coleraine Academical Institution. Their last final appearance was in 2011, where Ballymena Academy emerged 33-5 winners.
In those days, the Subsidiary Shield final was played at Ravenhill, and offered the perfect motivational opportunity for teams knocked out in round 4 of the Schools' Cup. Since the Ravenhill refurbishment, the final has moved to other grounds, and whilst this year's venue is still yet to be confirmed, it's unlikely to be played at the Kingspan. But let's not let that diminish the Subsidiary Shield - there are big teams in this year's event and it is very difficult to win.
Also competing in this year's Shield competition are Ballyclare High School, Belfast Royal Academy, Cambridge House, Dalriada School, Down High School, Rainey Endowed School and Sullivan Upper School. Of those sides, Sullivan are probably considered the favourites.
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 14 starts. Unfortunately a broken thumb has ruled Conor Lusty out for the rest of the season.
The Bangor Grammar School captain is Rhys Larmour, whose kicking has secured 80 points this season.
Bangor's opposition tomorrow is Ballyclare High School, the defending Subsidiary Shield champions. Last year's triumph was their first in this competition, but they have reached the final on four other occasions (1998, 2002, 2005, 2017).
Ballyclare's Schools' Cup campaign ended two weeks ago in Magherafelt against a very tidy Rainey Endowed team by a slender three point margin. In the previous round, Ballyclare knocked out Friends' School away from home by 25 points to 6.
Ballyclare are coached by Mike Orchin McKeever with help from former player Aaron Playfair. Their 'one to watch' is fly half Adam Clarke.
Ballyclare's season has been very mixed with wins against Belfast Royal Academy, Dalriada and Rainey Endowed the standout result. Their form since Christmas has been very impressive, and they were unlucky not to progress further in the Schools' Cup.
Crucially, Bangor Grammar and Ballyclare High have already played twice this season (both home and away) and both sides ended with Bangor Grammar victors. Both previous matches were very close and with the added pressure of competition, this one could go either way.
The Front Row Union produce the best form of ranking system for local schools' rugby. Royal School Armagh currently sit 15th out of 33, whilst Bangor Grammar are ranked in 19th. The system is geared up to take both results and quality of opposition into consideration. These rankings point towards a very close fixture tomorrow.
https://thefrontrowunion.com/2019/02/ulster-schools-rugby-rankings-2018-19-week-10
Last Time
In the first of this season's two fixtures, Bangor Grammar School and Ballyclare High School faced at a wet and windy Gransha Road. Angus Christie was sent off for Bangor, but his teammates rallied to keep Ballyclare at arms length. Ben McCrossan scored two tries for Bangor, with Rhys Larmour scoring a conversion. Adam Campbell scored Ballyclare's try, with Mark Jackson converting. Final score was 12-7 to Bangor.
The same two sides played again a month later at Rashee Road, Ballyclare. This match was more open and attacking, and both teams recorded four tries. Conor Lusty (x2), Harry Angus and Patrick Dobie touched down for Bangor, and Jack Gault, James Logan, Robert Reid and Matthew McCullough for Ballyclare High School. Rhys Larmour's four conversions were the difference. Final score was 28-20 to Bangor Grammar.
The most memorable match in recent years between these two schools, was Round 4 of the 2016 Schools' Cup. Bangor Grammar produced one of their strongest performances to win. Highlights of that match can be found in the video 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: Bangor Grammar School 1st XV Pitch, Gransha Road, Bangor
Kick off time: 10.30 am
Last Encounter: BCL 20-28 BGS
BGS 2018-19 Form: P19 / W7 / D0 /L12 (Points for: 446/ Points against: 506)
* 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.
