Belfast High School Former Pupils entertained Strabane at the War Memorial Sports Club on Saturday afternoon in an Ulster Championship 3 league match.

Report and images by Terry McCreesh

Recent form indicated that this would be a close one and that’s how it turned out. Both teams picked up a try bonus, with four tries apiece, but the Old Boys picked up the full points haul thanks to the kicking of fullback Jack Hanlon.

Strabane opened the scoring 10 minutes in when prop Keith Gamble bustled over for a converted try. However, the Belfast side drew level at the start of the second quarter with David Maine scoring a try for Hanlon to convert.

There were no further scores in a tense first half and the teams turned round with the score at 7 all.

It all opened up in the second half as Strabane raced to a 7 – 17 lead with a second try from Gamble before Conor Doherty went over but the High School replied in their own 10 minute burst with second rows Sam McBride and Ian Scott piling over. Hanlon converted one to push the Old Boys into a 2 point lead.

The tries continued and it looked as though Strabane just might pinch it when Matthew Wilson crossed for an unconverted try with less than 10 minutes to go but the High School battled back and retook the lead minutes later thanks to second a try from Maine and a final conversion from Hanlon.

Final score: Belfast High School Former Pupils 26 Strabane 10