Friends ready for Sullivan test

When the two sides met in October the Holywood boys eventually ran out 29-11 winners after a serious injury to a Friends player meant giving up an 11-7 lead.

The Friends squad enjoyed a morale boosting undefeated tour to British Columbia during the October break and this seems to have laid the foundation for an enjoyable season. 1st XV coach Stephen Robinson commented: "The boy's have really gelled as a team and are enjoying playing rugby at the moment. The Canada tour certainly developed the players as a squad and individuals and this has produced some good results this year."

Indeed Friends 1st XV have taken the scalps of some reasonable sides this year notably Omagh Academy, Portadown College, Ballyclare High School and Dalriada while a narrow defeat by BRA has seen the standard of rugby improve this season. The last result was probably the best marker of standard of play as the Roughfort men beat RBAI only last weekend.

Friends go into this match as the underdogs and captain Alisdair Trimble suggested they are happy with the tag. "Sullivan have a very strong tradition of successful rugby and always seem to be one of the top schools in Ulster," said Alisdair. Current Ulster and Ireland A centre Darren Cave was a past pupil while ex- Ulster Schools Coach Mike Rodgers and Irish International Willie Anderson coach the Sullivan team and certainly enhance the favourites label.

The Lisburn side though might know a few Sullivan secrets as 1st XV coach Stephen Robinson is also a past pupil and is hoping his boys can give enough to take the spoils of what will be a very close encounter. Kick-off is at 10.30am, refreshments will be available from the sports hall and everyone is welcome.