THERE WERE no real surprises in the second round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools Cup although Belfast High did manage a 42-5 win over Larne Grammar in what was expected to be a closely fought encounter.
Larne managed to hold their opponents to 9-0 interval advantage although the home team threw away too many scoring opportunities.
It was a different matter after the restart when the High School forwards started to dictate the pattern of play and they managed to run in five tries.
Adam White had a try, kicked three penalties and converted tries from Lewis Benson, Ryan McGonigle, Jordan Garford and John Joffrey. Luke Brownlee touched down for Larne.
Portora Royal and Dalriada will have to meet again after a 10-10 draw at Enniskillen.
A Johnny Laughlin try gave the visitors the half-time lead but Portora came back with a Ben Forbes try goaled by Patrick McCleery, who also had a penalty.
The last play of the tie saw Dalriada gain a deserved replay due to a Jack Magee try.
Omagh Academy had a big pack but Banbridge still managed to gain the upper hand 10-3. The first half was evenly contested with most of the play between the 22’s although Bann did manage a 5-3 interval lead when an overlap led to a Rory Thompson try.
The visitors had the wind in their favour in the second period and despite using it effectively the strong Omagh defence kept them out for a long time. Eventually the pressure told and secondrow Matthew Best crashed over the line.
A very young Lurgan College put up a spirited display but lost to Cambridge House 15-3.
Thomas McIlroy and Ryan Upritchard were the try scorers with Tim Small converting one and adding a penalty. Ben McIlwaine had a Lurgan penalty.
Rainey scored six tries in their easy win over Carrick Grammar 39-3. Oisin Quinn and Chris Moffett had two tries each the others coming from Jack McCalmont and John Stewart. Martin Connolly had a penalty and three conversions while Jonathan Moore kicked the Carrick penalty.
In the remaining tie Wellington College were too strong for Friends’ School, winning 29-10. They were 24-10 in front at the interval and had four tries. Adam Webb had a drop-goal and three conversions to tries from Andrew Hanna (two), Owen Jarvie and Sam Bridge. Ross Robinson kicked a penalty and added the points to Dean Howes’ try for the home team.
THIRD ROUND DRAW: BHS v Bangor Grammar, Rainey v Belfast Royal Academy, Grosvenor Grammar v Sullivan Upper, Portadown College v Dungannon Royal, Down High v Coleraine AI, Portora Royal or Dalriada v Regent House, Foyle College v Banbridge Academy and Cambridge House v Wellington College.
