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BANGOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL

1st XV SCHOOLS’ SHIELD

- FINAL -

24 / 03 / 2011

RAVENHILL

2:30PM

BALLYMENA ACADEMY

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After a long season, it’s great to see that boys in Bangor Grammar School are tak-ing note of the 1st XV and their achieve-ments this year.

Ballymena Academy were last year’s Schools’ Cup winners, and are no easy op-position. The last time we played, earlier on in the year, we lost by one point. Since then, things have changed. Injuries have claimed Jacob Onyekwelu and Johnny Gor-don, and their seasons are already over. Despite the setbacks, we are confident of

playing well after overcoming Wallace in the last round.

The game has added significance, as not only is it the first final at Ravenhill in some twelve years, but BGS Head of History is a former pupil of the County Antrim school (there’s no doubting where his allegiances lie today). Also, last year, Mr Scullion left BGS Ballymena bound. Please respect the opposition and the officials, but get behind the team with noise, passion and excitement.

MR KENNEDY

DK’S VIEWS

PROUD PARTNER — “RUN FOR NICK”

Run for Nick , was a campaign initiated by Business Studies teacher Mr Sinclair, upon discovering that his son was autistic. In order to raise money required for specialist treatment, he decided to (along with 6 other members of staff) run the Ulster Way.

Gryphiti is proud to support this charity. To date, the money raised exceeds £16,000 which will pay for 10 months of treatment for Nick. Mr Sinclair wishes to thank anybody who has contributed to the cause.

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DARREN KELLY

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

EDITORIAL

Well here we are. It’s been a long hard season but what a way to end it. All the boys are very excited and proud to be representing Bangor Grammar, and all their friends and family at Ravenhill.

These are the sort of days that we all want to be a part of, and hopefully we can play our exciting brand of rugby but more importantly get the win to bring a long awaited trophy back to the school.

Your support has been much appreciated all year and it is great to see a good crowd here today. Thank you and I really hope you enjoy! Darren

Feel free to contact me at shull365@bgs.bangor.ni.sch.uk with your say on all things rugby.

Well, with the end of the schools’ rugby season very much in sight, the conclusion will be battled

out in the best possible way.

After comfortably defeating Dalriada in the semi finals, Ballymena are Bangor’s latest opponents. Today’s game is the first for Bangor at Ravenhill in 9 years [the last being against MCB in the Schools’ Cup semi].

This is the perfect way to wave goodbye to the likes of captain Darren Kelly, Char-lie Clegg, Matthew Kennedy, Luke Dornan, Gareth Irvine, Stuart McCloskey, Craig Harper, Michael Aspley, Karl Lamont and all of the other Upper Sixths to have rep-resented the school over the years.

Gryphiti wishes the 1st XV all the best for this game and thanks the team for their stunning performances this year.

SIMON HULL—EDITOR

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BGS—IN DEPTH

Name: Bangor Grammar School

Founded: 1856

Motto: Justitiae Tenax (Justice is

Tenacious)

Principal: Mr S. Connolly

School Colours: Blue and Yellow

Notable Past Pupils:

Roger Clegg Former Ulster and Ireland international tighthead prop.

Philip Whyte Ireland Under 19 International.

Kenny Hooks Former Ulster and Ireland International.

Mark McCall Former Irish International and Ulster manager. Current Director of Rugby at Saracens.

Subsidiary Shield Victories: 2 (1 shared)

Runners Up: 1

Total Final Appearances: 3

Last Championship: 1989

2011 Schools’ Cup Campaign: (3rd Round) B.G.S. 32—12 Friends’

(4th Round) B.G.S. 8—24 B.R.A.

2011 Schools’ Shield Campaign: (QF) BGS 29—10 Grosvenor

(SF) Wallace 21—21 B.G.S.

(SFR) B.G.S. 6—5 Wallace

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THE OPPOSITION—BALLYMENA ACADEMY

Name: Ballymena Academy

Founded: 1828

Motto: Tenax Propositi

(Steadfast in Purpose)

Principal: Mr J. Hassard

School Colours: Blue and Red

Notable Past Pupils:

Willie John McBride Former Ireland International Captain and Second Row (Lock) for British and Irish Lions.

David Humphreys Former Fly half for Ireland and Ulster.

Ian Humphreys Currently plays for Ulster and was pundit on BBC Schools’ Cup Final coverage.

Steven Davis Footballer for Rangers and Northern Ireland.

Subsidiary Shield Victories: 5

Runners Up: 3

Total Final Appearances: 8

Last Championship: 2009

2011 Schools’ Cup Campaign: (4th Rd) Armagh 6—3 Ballymena

2011 Schools’ Shield Campaign: (QF) Belfast High 10—45 Ballymena

(SF) Dalriada 10—26 Ballymena

Name: Bangor Grammar School

Founded: 1856

Motto: Justitiae Tenax (Justice is

Tenacious)

Principal: Mr S. Connolly

School Colours: Blue and Yellow

Notable Past Pupils:

Roger Clegg Former Ulster and Ireland international tighthead prop.

Philip Whyte Ireland Under 19 International.

Kenny Hooks Former Ulster and Ireland International.

Mark McCall Former Irish International and Ulster manager. Current Director of Rugby at Saracens.

Subsidiary Shield Victories: 2 (1 shared)

Runners Up: 1

Total Final Appearances: 3

Last Championship: 1989

2011 Schools’ Cup Campaign: (3rd Round) B.G.S. 32—12 Friends’

(4th Round) B.G.S. 8—24 B.R.A.

2011 Schools’ Shield Campaign: (QF) BGS 29—10 Grosvenor

(SF) Wallace 21—21 B.G.S.

(SFR) B.G.S. 6—5 Wallace

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TEAM PREVIEW QUOTES

1. Charlie Clegg: “I can’t wait. What an unbelievable way to end 7 years of rugby!”

2. Chris Brett:”Excited and nervous. I’m in peak physical condition.”

3. Matthew Kennedy: “If we score more points than them, we will win!”

4. Luke Dornan:“It’s all about cool heads...warm hearts” (A wise man named Rich-ard)

5. Darren Kelly [CAPTAIN]: “These are the sort of days that we all want to be part of, and hopefully we can get the win.”

6. Karl Lamont: “Tense and exciting. A cool head is needed!”

7. Jack Campton: “Feeling nervous but pumped up. We’ll play our rugby and hope-fully come away with a win.”

8. Gareth Irvine: “We’ve been playing well all year—this is our chance to shine”

9. Craig Harper [VICE CAPTAIN]: “Its been a long time since BGS won at Ravenhill. We’ll all make the most of our chance and hopefully bring a trophy back.”

10. Daniel Kennedy: “A wee touch nervous but definitely excited and proud!”

11. Phil Harper: “Really nervous but looking forward to a rare match at Ravenhill!”

12. Stuart McCloskey:”If you can’t be good, be lucky.”

13. Michael Aspley: “Consistency is the last refuge of the uncreative” (Oscar Wilde).

14. Matthew Hamilton: “It will be a tough one, but if we play to our best, the out-come will be a good one.”

15. Mark Armstrong: “Looking forward to the atmosphere will be great at Ravenhill. Hope we come away with a good result.”

16. Ross Kennedy: “After a great year, we now have the chance to beat last years schools cup winners. I hope we can take it.”

17. Nico España: “Cannot wait. Excited to play at Ravenhill. Since I’m yr12 its been tough, but a good rugby year and today I will always remember.”

18. Ryan Wilson: “I’m very nervous but can’t wait.”

19. James Leary: “Cannot wait and confident.”

20. Michael Weir: “The team is treating this like any game. The difference is, its on a bigger stage with more support. We have to block that out on the day.”

21. Chris Walton: “Looking forward to a great game of rugby. Hope we get the re-sult which we deserve.”

22. Matthew Stockton: “Feeling nervous, although this is a great advertisement for the school and rugby. Hopefully I’ll get a run out at the home of Ulster rugby.”

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THE BGS TEAM IN DETAIL

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JASON MORGAN

FACTFILE

1. What message have you for the Bangor supporters and fans at today’s match?

“I just wish to thank them for showing their support today and all year. I thank you for your continuing support. It means a lot to the squad having you there and the boys really appreciate it.”

2. Which boys in particular do you think have a bright rugby future ahead of them?

“There are a couple of boys who have huge potential to go on to bigger and better things in rugby. Namely, Stuart McCloskey, Jonathan Gor-

don and Gareth Irvine. However, the one player with skill and attitude is Phil Harper. He’s been a revelation on the wing this year, scoring tries and being courageous in defence. He’s one to watch for the future.”

3. How do you think today’s match will unfold?

“The match will be a close one, but I believe that we have the skill level and commitment to win the final. The boys are so deserving of some recognition for all the hard work they’ve put in.”

Jason Morgan (BGS Rugby Coach) casts his watchful eye over the 1st XV with a detailed Q&A section. He also attempts to predict how today’s match will go.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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VIEW FROM THE PITCH

TEN MINUTES WITH… STUART McCLOSKEY 1. Do you feel added

responsibility as the BGS Kick Taker? “Yes, I suppose, but it’s something I have got used to as I’ve kicked for the team for the whole time I’ve been at the school.”

2. In the last match, did you realise that the penalty was your last chance to win? “I remember asking

the referee how long was left, and him saying about two minutes after the kick. So I was thinking it would be our last good chance, or a drop goal. I try not to think of the consequences at the time. To be honest, all I was trying to do was make a good strike. It was only after I realised what it really meant to the team and supporters.”

3.Do you have any plans to pursue a career in rug-by later in your life? “As much as I would love to, I can’t really see it happening, but I’ll still play after school at university.”

SCRUM TIME … WITH KEN AND CLEGG

BGS UNSUNG HEROES—THE WATER BOYS … BY MATTHEW STOCKTON

It has been a long and hard season for the 1st XV and 2nd XV. Throughout this long Schools’ Cup and Shield run, myself and a few others have been either playing for the 2nd XV or ‘warming the bench’ for the 1st XV. We find it very im-portant to show we are a

squad and undertake certain roles. The main task that faces us-as well as staying warm- is being what is most commonly known as “The Water Boys”. Though this job can be over looked sometimes, we feel it very important to keep all our players hydrated so they can

put in maximum effort for he full match.

Our target man: Charlie Clegg

Reason: We must keep him hydrated due to him being a key player and showing such a high work rate throughout all his matches for the 1st XV.

1.How has training differed this week? CC “Training’s been easier and more relaxed this week.” MK “Its been light, but the spectre of anticipation has weighed heavy.”

2.What’s your best tip for a good scrum?

CC “Get low and hit them hard. The low man always wins.” MK “Low body position and stay on balls of feet before engagement. This is some-thing Richard Kennedy, Mr Hennessy and Phil White have helped me with this year.”

3.Does it physically hurt when you push or is it some-thing you’ve got used to? MK “What a question Si! Well the argey bargey can be pain-ful, but to succeed in the battle of wits, and might of the scrum, one must stale his mind against such trivialities!”

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KEN BEST 1ST XV S. SHIELD SEMI FINAL REPLAY BGS VS WALLACE

GALLERY

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IN THE LAST ROUND

After drawing the last game away to Wallace, a replay was needed for the 1st XVs to become the second subsidiary shield finalists.

It was a wet

Ballymacormick which host-ed this dramatic affair. Ban-gor Grammar came into the match feeling confident after holding Wallace to a draw the previous week. Now the second game would be played in front of a bigger crowd, with a lot more support.

The game was full of contact and pushing. This may not have been pretty to watch, but at least both teams went into the second half with an equal chance of winning. The score at the break was 0-0.

Stuart McCloskey broke the deadlock a few minutes after the break, and gave BGS a 3-0 advantage. His team had much better chances and seemed to be holding off the Wallace attacks well. However, spurred on by the 3 points deficit, Wallace fought back. A sequence of pressure for the Lisburn team proved fruitful with Zach McCall’s touchdown. Whilst David Scott failed to

convert, Wallace looked to be the team on top.

At this point, the score wasn't looking great for Bangor. However, with roughly five minutes left to go, Bangor were awarded a penalty from a tight angle. As Stuart McCloskey stepped up, most fans and supporters knew that this may have been the Blues' last chance to win the match and proceed to a historic match at Ravenhill.

Luckily, McCloskey hit the ball perfectly between the sticks. With a slender one point lead, Bangor needed to defend tightly until the end.

As the referee blew for the final time, scenes of jubilation were witnessed on the pitch. Everybody involved with BGS was celebrating, from the team and staff to the supporters. Even the Headmaster himself was thrilled.

SIMON HULL

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Substitutes

16

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21

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Barry Coen :Coach

THE TEAMS

1 Charlie Clegg

2 Chris Brett

3 Matthew Kennedy

4 Luke Dornan

5 Darren Kelly

6 Karl Lamont

7 Jack Campton

8 Gareth Irvine

9 Craig Harper

10 Daniel Kennedy

11 Phil Harper

12 Stuart McCloskey

13 Michael Aspley

14 Matthew Hamilton

15 Mark Armstrong

Substitutes

16 Ross Kennedy *

17 Nico España

18 Ryan Wilson

19 James Leary

20 Michael Weir

21 Chris Walton

22 Matthew Stockton * Subject to late fitness test

Coach: Mr Kennedy

Jason Morgan

Referee: Adrian Reavey

Ballymena team list available in official

Ulster Rugby programme