Seven top seeds safely through while Rainey earn a date with Wallace High
SEVEN of the top seeded teams qualified for the quarter-finals of the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup, the other being Rainey Endowed who entered at the third round stage and have now earned their third home tie against Wallace High.
After disposing of Portadown College 39-0 the Magherafelt team adapted better to the conditions to eliminate Ballyclare High 15-13 on Saturday.
The visitors had the wind advantage in the first period but failed to make full use and were only on level terms 5-5 at the interval.
Ballyclare went in front when Ethan Crawford barged over following a five metre line-out but soon afterwards forward pressure resulted in prop Callum Donnelly crossing for the home team.
The home side went ahead for the first time with a Harry Evans penalty before a Bryan Hall break led to a try by hooker Bryn Davies.
They continued to control but when temporarily reduced to 14 players a late flurry from Ballyclare resulted in a Jack Gamble try goaled by Adam Clarke.
Methodist College defeated Dalriada 47-7 with Ethan McIlroy scoring a try and converting six of those from Dan Humphreys (2), Chris Larmour, David Boden, Thomas Armstrong and Stephen Millar.
Paddy Carson added the points to a home try from James McCormick.
The biggest win was at Bangor Grammar where Armagh Royal won 66-12. Peter Taylor (2), Nicholas Jennings, Ryan Finlay, Benji Boyd, Aaron Woods, James Bruno Brown, Mickey Campbell and Johnny Agnew touched down for Romain Morrow to kick two conversions and Charlie Worth seven and a penalty. Bangor had a penalty try and one from Michael McCreary.
Ballymena Academy overcame Belfast Royal Academy 17-12. Ross McKay kicked four penalties and Alex McKinney added a try while Daniel Logan and Ollie Parkes were the Academy scorers for Harry Warke to goal one.
Wallace High proved 55-7 victors at Cambridge House where Rory McCandless converted a Reece Ervine home try.
The visitors had a penalty try and scores from Luke Allison (2), Dylan Sedge, Ben Carson, Joel Dundas, Jack Dillon, Harry Long and Scott Wilson for Nathan Doak to convert four.
It was 7-3 until the final quarter when Enniskillen Royal defeated Down High 19-3. Alex Parke, Callum Smyton and John Allan had tries for Eddie Keys to goal while Greg Hutley had a penalty for the visitors.
RBAI marched on with a 38-0 defeat of Dungannon Royal at Osborne. Max Preston, Jude Postlethwaite, Bradley McNamara, Rory Adair, Jared Waite and Josh Patterson had tries for Robin McIlveen to convert three and Ronan Boyle one.