Belfast Royal Academy got their schools cup campaign off to winning start with a 7- 38 win at Belfast High School in Group E.

The game started in challenging conditions, but the heavy rain didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm of the large crowd.

The conditions led to a fairly error strewn first quarter but did manage one try as second row Lewis West barged over from close range for Ollie Parks to convert.

The score saw the High School raise their efforts and they dominated the second quarter but couldn’t find their way over the whitewash. The Academy benefited from some liberal refereeing and should have seen a couple of players taking extended breaks as the High School searched for that elusive score.

As it was the teams turned round with just the seven points between them.

The Academy hit their straps in the third quarter with three quick tries in a seven minute burst putting the game beyond the High School. Aaron Gooderham, Rob Sturgess and Parks all crossed in the third quarter blitz as Elliot Donaldson created havoc in the home teams defence.

West crossed for his second score as the teams went into the final quarter but the High school responded with Scott Dennis battling over a pile of bodies on the line. However it was BRA that had the final word with Jack Davis lolloping home from some distance for the final try of the game. Parks converted four of the six tries to give a final score of BHS 7 BRA 38.

GALLERY BELOW

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