The Eagle Impact Rugby Academy side proved to strong for Ulster U16 Schools with the touring side recording a 17 – 29 win at Newforge Country Club yesterday morning. 

The Ulster side got off to the best of starts with hooker Zac Soloman crossing in the first minute, for Tristan Ferguson to convert.

However, the visiting side enjoyed territory and possession for large swathes of the first half though the hard working Ulster defence restricted them to  a single try, from Charlie Marshall, converted by Roanin Krieger. 

Somethat against the run of play a late break out by Ulster was finished off in the corner by backrower Callum Simms on the stroke of half time to give Ulster a 12 – 7 lead at the break. 

The second half continued in a similar vein to the first but crucially this time the visitors were able to take their chances. Via Kruza ran in a turnover after Ulster tried to run from deep and the resulting restart was returned with interest as Chris Biagi sprinted clear from 70 yards out. The second score was converted by Krieger to give the Academy side a 12 – 19 lead. 

The double whammy took some of the sting out of Ulster’s game and they conceded penalty and a try in the next ten minutes with Krieger knocking over the penalty before converting Trevon Reed‘s powerful charge to the line giving the USA side a 12 – 29 lead. 

To their credit the Ulster lads tried to battle back and James Spence touched down after a period of pressure near the Academy’s line to take the final score to Ulster Rugby U16 Schools  17 – 29 Eagle Impact Rugby Academy. 

Ulster U16 Schools: Zach Scarlett, Jack Nevin, Jamie Beattie, James Girvan, Henry George, Tristan Ferguson, Ben King, Alex McDonald, Zac Soloman, Callum Savage, James Anderson, David Milford, David Corrie, Callum Simms, Ollie McCauley. Replacements: Ethan Fitzsimmons, Conor Louw, Reece Braden, Tom McClean, Freddie Starrett, James Spence, Nathan Ogbourne, Josh Stevens, Tom Muldrew, Johnny McCracken, Tom Crowther, Jake McEvoy.

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