Local schools face cup rugby tests

The Academy will aim to take another step closer to a first Northern Bank Schools Cup win since 1981 when they entertain Friends School in the quarter-final this Saturday (11am).

For Cambridge House, the potential of getting their hands on a trophy is even closer as they take on Portadown College in the final of the Northern Bank Schools Trophy next Monday, February 22.

Cambridge have already received a boost after winning a toss of a coin which means the match will be played at Eaton Park (2.30pm) rather than Portadown Rugby Club.

"Unfortunately the two teams aren't going to get the chance to play at Ravenhill because of the backlog of fixtures and the condition of the pitch after the bad weather but it is still a big occasion for our side," said Cambridge House coach Rab Gregg.

"Our boys have probably exceeded expectations but they have improved a lot over the past month and they deserve to play in a final.

"We don't have any real stars, although Adrian Hamilton has played for Ulster Schools, but they work very hard and their fitness made a big difference in the semi-final against Carrick Grammar.

"Portadown will probably be favourites – we don't normally play them in the course of the season but they have a few guys in Ulster Development squads so it will be a tough game," added Rab.

While winning one of the subsidiary competitions in Ulster schools' rugby would mark a huge success for the ever-improving Cambridge House, it's the biggest prize of all – the Schools' Cup – that is the focus of Ballymena Academy's attention.

Having been cursed by difficult draws against the Belfast 'big guns' in recent seasons, fortune appears to finally have favoured the Ballymena side, who defeated Limavady Grammar in their opening hurdle and were rewarded with a seemingly favourable home tie against Lisburn-based Friends.

"So everyone keeps telling me," says Academy coach John Andrews.

"But I have spoken to coaches of other sides who have played Friends this year and they are a pretty tidy side by all accounts.

"We're just pleased to have been drawn at home – that's all you can really ask for.

"We have four or five fifth years in our panel – more than a First XV normally has – but since the turn of the year we have developed into a pretty strong outfit.

"We also have our captain, George Dennison, back in training, having missed a couple of months with a viral infection.

"We thought he might miss the rest of the year but the consultant has given him the all-clear to resume training and that is a great boost for everyone," added John.