Craigavon Senior High School and Ballyclare Secondary School met at Ravenhill in the High School Trophy final for the second consecutive year with Craigavon once again coming out on top.  

Photo credit John McMurtry and Bob Given Photography.

However, despite the scoreline, it was an entertaining, competitive match that rattled along nicely. A credit to both sets of players. 

Ballyclare worked hard throughout the game but it was the classy Craigavon who went into an early lead as Jack Coulter crossed twice in the first half either side of a try by Jamie Hayes, with Ciaran Peterson sliding home for their fourth. Toby Gribben converted two to give Craigavon a 24 – 0 lead. 

The Co Antrim side worked their way back into the game with a try from captain Zac Wilson with the scrum half nipping over off the back of a ruck. Wilson converted his own try to take the score to 24 – 7. 

Craigavon had the final say of the half  with the impressive Jamie Carville powering over on the left after being nudged out on the right hand side earlier. Gribben added the extras to take the score to 31 – 7 at half time. 

A storming run from Ballyclare’s Ashley Doherty started the second half in spectacular fashion as he powered over in the corner to move the score along to 31 -12. 

However, despite a few more exciting rumbles from the Ballyclare pack, they continued to struggle with the pace of Craigavon’s back line. Peterson and Carville both crossed for a brace before Sam Anderson wrapped up the game with his pace taking him over in the corner.

Final Score: Craigavon Senior High School 46 Ballyclare Secondary School 12

Craigavon Senior High School: Jack Coulter, Timmy Martin, Ciaran Petersen, Jay Anderson, Daniel Harrison, Jamie Hayes, Toby Gribben, Scott McKinney, Sam Anderson (C), Josh Young, Jamie Flanagan, Harry White, Alex Morrison, Jack Dang, Jamie Marshall. Replacements: Jamie Carville, Glen Montgomery, Joel McClatchey, Drew McCreanor, Adam Ovadia, Andrew Orr, Jamie Donaldson.

Ballyclare Secondary School: Patrick Gallagher, Samuel Patterson, Chad Morris, Kristian Best, Harley McFarland, Thomas Rea, Zak Wilson (C), Graeme Coulter, Jack Duncan, Tom Lindsay, Ewan McKinty, Peter Stewart-McBride, Jack Duncan, Samuel McLean, Ashley Doherty. Replacements: John Allen, Ciaran Hannon, Benjamin Archbold, Calum Clarke, Dylan McGarry, Robert Pook.

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