Mixed fortunes for Banbridge Academy as Belfast High School visit

Academy put in a sterling first half, limiting their opponents to just two unconverted tries. But after the break the visitors’ scores came along regularly with three converted tries taking them to the 31 point mark.

With the home defence wilting BHS scored two further tries in the last few minutes for a final tally which may have flattered them slightly.

Academy’s Second XV also went down to their BHS opponents, but at least they took a 7-0 lead into the break. Stevie Reddick’s try, converted by David Carleton, was the difference between the sides at the interval, but High School dominated the second half, scoring 21 points without reply.

Without key players, including first-choice half-backs Jordan Mount and Ben Thompson, Academy’s Medallion side were understandably apprehensive when they travelled to Belfast.

A battling performance saw them come away with a 19-19 draw. Sheldon Savage touched down twice, Jamie Ewing added a third try and there were two conversions by Scott Thompson.

The U-14s recorded Academy’s only win of the weekend, scoring eight tries in a 14-46 win over their BHS opponents. There were hat-tricks apiece for Troy Pinion and Roger Russell and Mark Coughlan weighed in with a brace, while Tom Flanagan kicked three conversions.

There was a similar scoreline in the U-13s game, but it favoured BHS, as Academy could only muster an unconverted Hugo Bertholon try to their opponents’ 46 points.