Mixed week of results for Academy First XV

Following a four-day training camp outside Dublin, Ballymena Academy returned north via the Shore Road to lock horns with Belfast High School, winning 17-10
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Nov 2013, 16:00 BST
Robinson's Supermarket store manager Gary Olphert and floor manager Elaine Kirk with Ballymena Academy 1st XV captain Duncan Maguire (centre), vice-captain Justin Jolly (left), player Philip Stevenson (right) and team coach John Andrews at last week's announcement that Robinson's are to be one of the Academy Rugby sponsors. INBT 44-173CSRobinson's Supermarket store manager Gary Olphert and floor manager Elaine Kirk with Ballymena Academy 1st XV captain Duncan Maguire (centre), vice-captain Justin Jolly (left), player Philip Stevenson (right) and team coach John Andrews at last week's announcement that Robinson's are to be one of the Academy Rugby sponsors. INBT 44-173CS
Robinson's Supermarket store manager Gary Olphert and floor manager Elaine Kirk with Ballymena Academy 1st XV captain Duncan Maguire (centre), vice-captain Justin Jolly (left), player Philip Stevenson (right) and team coach John Andrews at last week's announcement that Robinson's are to be one of the Academy Rugby sponsors. INBT 44-173CS

The Galgorm Road school created several try-scoring opportunities, but careless mistakes meant that they didn’t add to Marcus Rea’s successful early penalty.

Mid-way through the first half, Belfast High scored an outstanding try from a counter-attack from the edge of their own 22 which they converted to lead 7-3.

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Moments before half time, following a telling break from Jonathan Rosborough, Ballymena secured possession from a line-out and Duncan Maguire touched down from the back of the dynamic maul. Rea’s conversion left the score reading 10–7 at half time.

In the second half, a Belfast High School penalty levelled the scores.

Ballymena bounced back almost immediately when a Gary Small break created space for Tom Alexander to finish in the corner. Marcus Rea’s conversion was the last points of the day.

* At the weekend, Ballymena Academy suffered a disappointing 29-6 defeat by Coleraine Inst. Marcus Rea kicked Ballymena’s points from two penalties.

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