Match Report: Bangor Grammar School 36-17 Dalriada School
Bangor Grammar School vs Dalriada School
Bangor Grammar School moved one step closer to success in the Danske Bank Subsidiary Shield by beating Dalriada School of Ballymoney at Gransha last Saturday.
Dalriada were considered the pre-match favourites having won the last fixture between both sides before Christmas. Bangor Grammar were on a high, having knocked out defending champions Ballyclare High School convincingly in the last round.
This match would reignite a fiercely competitive rivalry between both schools in recent years. In the 2012 Schools' Cup 4th Round, BGS won 11-5 away for a place in the quarter final. Two seasons later, Bangor Grammar were denied a place in the Subsidiary Shield final after a 20-0 defeat to Dalriada.
The following year, these teams met in the Schools' Cup again, this time at Gransha Road, where Bangor won 26-15, and in 2016 they met again in Ballymoney. Dalriada won 17-5, preventing Bangor from reaching a memorable cup semi final at Ravenhill.
Over the past ten years, Dalriada have been Bangor's most frequent opposition in competitive fixtures, and more often than not, a thorn in Bangor's side. This match was a perfect opportunity to avenge those previous defeats.
On a sundrenched pitch, albeit in cold temperatures, and spurred on by a vociferous home crowd, Bangor Grammar began proceedings as the more lively side, and an Aaron Sexton kick and chase, asked early questions of Dalriada's defence. Fortunately for the Ballymoney side, their scrumhalf was on hand to quickly snuff out any danger.
Bangor were rewarded for their fast start, with a penalty in the ninth minute; Dalriada paying the price for repeated offsides. Bangor captain Rhys Larmour was on target with the kick, winning his side three points.
Not pertrubed by falling behind early, Dalriada settled into the match, and through some clever passing and penetration speed, soon found a way through the BGS line of defence. Hooker James McCormick powered through several tackles to touch down for the visitors' first points. Paddy Carson converted.
The first Bangor Grammar try soon followed, as Angus Christie used initiative to quickly tap and go, after winning a penalty five yards out. Rhys Larmour's conversion dragged wide.
The lead continued to switch hands through the remainder of the first half. Next to score was Luke Pollock for Dalriada, stealing a pass on the halfway line then running under the posts. Pollock appeared to drop the ball as he went to ground it. Despite Bangor appeal, the try was given. Carson again converted.
Just before half time, Aaron Sexton scored his tenth try of the season, stretching out in the corner. Larmour's conversion ensured that Bangor Grammar led 15-14 at the break. The game was finely poised, and anyone's for the taking in the second half. Incidentally, Larmour's kick took him past 100 points for season.
Within a minute gone of the second half, Dalriada were honing in on the try line. Bangor Grammar's young team tackled hard and with discipline to keep their opponents out of the goal area, but eventually yielded a penalty as Harry McCracken knocked on. McCracken was sent to the sin bin for illegal contact, while Paddy Carson's kick found the target.
Dalriada are traditionally a big side with a powerful pack, but were visibly outscrummed by Bangor from beginning to end. From a 22 metre scrum, Bangor pressed forward, with prop Ben McCrossan powering over for their third try of the match, and his 14th of the season. Rhys Larmour converted, and the score was now 27-20 to Bangor Grammar.
The Ballymoney side were soon awarded another penalty. Whilst Carson's kick was ruled good by both touch judges, referee Trevor Bradfield disagreed and overruled.
With ten minutes left, some good old fashioned kicking and chasing by Patrick Dobie allowed Rhys Larmour to charge towards another apparent Bangor Grammar try. However, some excellent tracking back by Dalriada's full back stopped Larmour with mere inches to spare.
Several phases of passing later, the ball moved out wide, where Robbie Grant was on hand for his 1st XV try. Larmour again converted.
A couple of minutes later Rhys Larmour scored a rare and well deserved try, dummying passes on a 22 metre break. This was also Larmour's first try of the year, capping off a brilliant performance. Dalriada's players, having given their all, had nothing left in the tank, and the fitness of Bangor Grammar's squad shone through in the latter stages.
Larmour's fourth conversion of the game followed, and shortly later the final whistle brought about the end of the match. Bangor were winners by 36 points to 17.
After the final whistle, Bangor Grammar supporters flooded onto the pitch to celebrate with the victorious team. There were powerful scenes as arm in arm, both fans and players, lined up in a circle to belt out the school song.
After the match, winning captain Rhys Larmour had the following to say; "It's a great feeling, the boys stuck at it today and we were lucky enough to get through.... For half of the boys, it was their last time at Gransha, so (at half time) we all knew we had 40 minutes left so just gave it all." Speaking of next opponents Sullivan Upper, Larmour added; "We know what they are like. They are ranked fourth, so they are going to be a tough team, but we are going to throw everything at them and hope for the best."
This win means that Bangor Grammar School progress to the Subsidiary Shield final for the first time since 2011. Their opponents will be local rivals Sullivan Upper School of Holywood. The match will be played at the Queen's University Malone Playing Fields in Belfast on Wednesday 20th March (2:30pm kickoff).
Final Score: Bangor Grammar School 36-17 Dalriada School
Teamsheet: 1. Grant, 2. Moore, 3. McCrossan, 4. Dobie, 5. Winters, 6. Westwood, 7. Wells, 8. Pritchard, 9. Christie, 10. Larmour, 11. Angus, 12. McCracken, 13. Stewart, 14. McCreary, 15. Sexton.
Subs: 16. Norman, 17. Nesbitt, 18. Cavan, 19. Pyper, 20. Wood, 21. Hamilton, 22. Ritchie, 23. Hatty.
BGS Tries: Angus Christie, Aaron Sexton, Ben McCrossan, Robbie Grant, Rhys Larmour
BGS Conv: Rhys Larmour (x4)
BGS Pen: Rhys Larmour
DSB Try: James McCormick, Luke Pollock
DSB Conv: Paddy Carson (x2)
DSB Pen: Paddy Carson
BGS Gryphiti Man of the Match - Rhys Larmour
