The RSD 1st XV have had a very successful season which was celebrated at the QUB sports arena on Thursday 10th March in the Final of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Subsidiary Shield, where we were narrowly defeated by local rivals Royal School Armagh.
The team were unbeaten from September until the end of November, where we suffered our first loss to Dromore HS. Before this the team earned 9 convincing victories over teams including Sullivan Upper, RS Armagh, BRA, Omagh, Rainey and Enniskillen. After remaining mostly injury free up to the end of November, a flurry of injuries to key players left a significant dent in the team and momentum slowed. While this was a difficult time for the team it was also an opportunity for some fringe players to step up and get more game time under their belts as 1st XV players. This proved to be an interesting stage in the season with a number of players adapting to different positions, which in the long run strengthened the squad for the second part of the season with the challenges of Schools Cup rugby.
As a result of the earlier run of victories RSD earned direct entry in to Round 4 of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup and were drawn against Wallace HS who were another seeded team. This match was the first time the team were back to full strength since mid November, but the training leading up to it had the players working as a team and all set moves and phases of play were well practised. Wallace scored early but RSD answered back immediately with a try between the posts and the crowd knew they were in for a competitive Schools’ Cup match where both teams would throw everything they had at each other. Unfortunately it was not to be RSD’s day as we were unable to turn excellent team play in to points. It was a frustrating game with key moments where RSD were denied a reward for their efforts. However, lessons were learned and the team picked themselves up from the disappointment of ‘what could have been’ and we now had the Subsidiary Shield in our sights. The 1st XV travelled to Enniskillen for the Quarter Final and the team put in an impressive performance to gain a 40-12 lead with 12 minutes remaining. The next 12 minutes caused the coaches and supporters heart rates to increase significantly as ERGS managed to score 21 unanswered points before Christy Brace stole the ball and the ball was kicked out of play to seal RSD’s place in the Semi Final at home to Down HS. Another mature performance with improved game management gave the RSD team the lead throughout this match against Down HS and in the last 3 minutes of the game RSD went from defending their line to controlling possession and charging up the field phase after phase before Adam Scott again kicked the ball off the field and the home crowd celebrated the team’s place in the final.
The local derby against RSA was always going to be a tough encounter but one we knew we could win. It proved to be a great spectacle and a fantastic display of rugby from both sides. With not long to play RSD looked as though they were going to do what was necessary to get the win after tries from wingers Alfie Lewis and Ethan Carberry but RSA managed to regain possession and secured the win. The coaches, families, friends and RSD were so proud of the squad and their efforts both on and off the pitch and it is a huge achievement to reach the Subsidiary Shield Final following on from such a successful season. As always I would like to thank Mr Lucas and Mr Chambers for their commitment to the senior rugby programme throughout the year.
Special individual congratulations to the following:
James Girvan continued to represent the Ulster U19 in the summer programme and the Inter Pro tournament.
James McCammon and Reuben Gibson were selected on the Ulster U18 Clubs and Schools squads, completing the summer programme and Inter Pro tournament.
