Belfast High School staged an impressive second half comeback to win this 2nd Round Northern Bank Schools Cup game 13 – 20 at Carrickfergus Grammar on a dank Saturday morning. Second half tries from hooker Aaron Blair, centre Ryan Elliot and a penalty and two conversions from out half Robbie Fryers was enough to see the Belfast side home after a first half try from Ross Davidson and a conversion and two penalties from Johnny Moore had put Carrick into a 13 – 3 lead at half time.

The opening half was a scrappy affair with both sides struggling to move the ball. Belfast High just didn’t get their game going with, out half, Fryers failing on several occasions to keep hold of the ball so it was no surprise that Carrick went into an early lead with a penalty from Moore pushing the score to 3 – 0

Belfast High managed to get into the Carrick half from the re-start and were rewarded with a penalty from Fryers to level the game at  3 – 3. Carrick hit back almost immediately and after a break and chip ahead by Moore the home side were rewarded with a five meter scrum, with No. 8 Davidson blasting his way over the line for the opening try from the resulting play. Moore converted putting the home side ahead 10 -3.

The match went through a scrappy phase with Carrick kicking away possession too often and the Belfast side continued to struggle to move the ball. Carrick enjoyed the lions share of possession and after being taken out, after another chip ahead, Carrick out half Moore stepped up to slot over the resulting penalty to increase the home sides lead to 13 – 3.

Carrick had a real opportunity to close out the game when the High School’s Henry Atkinson was yellow carded after a series of penalty infringements by the visitors but the home side failed to capitalise on their extra man, their only scoring chance being a penalty that was pushed wide. The remainder of the first half was scoreless finishing 13 -3.

Belfast High managed to find their running game at the start of the second half and despite still being a man down the visitors pounded the Carrick line with some good close quarter play off the back of a series of rucks. Second row Ryan McKay and No. 8 Ryan McGonigle featured strongly for the Belfast side but it was hard working hooker Aaron Blair that found his way to the line to put the High School back in the game. Fryers converted closing the score to 13 -10.

With Fryers looking much more comfortable on the ball the Belfast side started to play some impressive rugby and after a series of rampaging runs from McGonnigle and McKay the ball was worked to centre Ryan Elliot who spun free from the Carrick tackles to touch down close to the posts. Fryers converted and the visitors now lead 13 – 17.

Carrick fought back well and created a few chances of their own but relied too often on their kicking game when keeping the ball in hand would have been the best option. The High School defended well and eventually forced a penalty from Carrick, which Fryers slotted over giving the visitors a vital seven point lead at 13 – 20.

Carrick practically set up camp in the High School’s 22 in the closing minutes but the visitors kept their composure, and their defensive line, and managed to hold on for a disserved win with the game ending Carrick Grammar 13 Belfast High School 20.

The High School now travel to Larne to play the Grammar in Round 3 in another East Antrim derby match!

Carrick Grammar: Michael Smiley, Stewart Davidson, Ryan Hamilton, Marc Gordon, Peter Stewart, Matt Stewart, Jack Millar, Ross Davidson, Kenny Topping, Johnny Moore, Ali McClean, Matthew Logan, Josh Brown, Matthew Elliott, Stephen Welsh.

Belfast High School: Jake Toan, Aaron Blair, Adam Gibney, Chris Taylor, Ryan McKay, Henry Atkinson, Ethan Clarke, Ryan McGonigle, Guy Bell, Robbie Fryers, Ross White, Adam White, Ryan Elliot, Philip Snoddy, Matt Huntley, Ben Love, Joe Whitley, Jonny Greenlees, Tom McConkey, Adam Reid, Stephen Godfrey, Matt Boyd.